THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT
Newsletter 
March 2015
In This Issue

The Honorable 

Frances Pitts

 

   

 

PITTS FRANCES, age 82, passed on February 12, 2015, formerly from Detroit, Michigan. Frances Pitts was born in Isabella, Pennsylvania on March 27, 1933, to the late Matthew and Beatrice Pitts. Frances graduated from Brownsville High school in June 1951. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Gordon College in Rhode Island, Frances went on to receive a Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Connecticut. With a Master's degree in hand, she pursued her passion of helping the less privileged and oppressed persons. She worked as a parole officer, group therapist, counselor and college instructor. Frances entered Wayne State Law School in 1972 from which she received her Law Degree. After a period in private practice, Frances served as a referee for over 10 years at Wayne County Probate Court Juvenile Division. From that position she was appointed by Governor James Blanchard to a judgeship in that court in 1987. She served as presiding judge of the Juvenile Division from 1988-96. Judge Pitts was not a judge making decisions in isolation, but she got out into the community. She was active in a number of law related and professional organizations, both locally and nationally. Judge Pitts retired on June 1, 2004 after 17 years as a member of the Probate bench. Frances loved to travel.  It seems that wherever Frances traveled, locally or across the globe, she was sought out for her insight, knowledge, and expertise. Frances is survived by a host of relatives and friends. A life well lived is a life worthy of distinction and esteem. 

 

"She was a firm yet kindly presence, and unwavering in her concerns for the children and families in the community. Having had many experiences in her storied career as a social worker, lawyer and judge, she was a knowledgeable, no-nonsense judicial leader.  Through the years, judges and staff enjoyed conversations with her as she sat on her office couch surrounded by case files, and she is fondly remembered at Juvenile Court for her acts of generosity, as well. "  - - Court Staff

 

The Honorable Judge Frances Pitts lived a life that made the world take notice and certainly it was a far better place because she was here.

  

(Courtesy of the Detroit Free Press) 


 



Are You The Father?

   

 

What can be done if a man has been named the defendant in a paternity case, but questions paternity?  

 

The law governs what a person may do to address the circumstance, and the applicable law depends on the circumstance.  

 

Here is a synopsis of the typical case flow of a paternity case.  

 

A lawsuit is filed against a man named as the father of a child.  That man receives documents advising him of the lawsuit and that if he fails to respond once he has received notice of the suit, he may be named the father by default.  The named father may request a genetic test to determine paternity.  Genetic testing usually costs $300 for the named father, mother, and child.  The Court may require payment up front or reimbursement from the father and/or mother.  Based on the genetic testing results, the Court may enter an order establishing paternity or an order dismissing the case.  When the named father fails to respond to the lawsuit and/or fails to appear for genetic testing, the Court may enter a default paternity order.  If the Court enters an order making the named father the legal father, the Court may then establish an order for child support, custody, and parenting time.  The legal father and mother may request modifications in child support, custody, and parenting time. Michigan law prohibits a retroactive change in the child support charges; therefore, parties need to timely bring issues to the Court. Lastly, the law only provides limited circumstances where the issue of paternity can be readdressed.

 

The Salvation Army's William Booth Legal Aid Clinic offers assistance on paternity and child support issues.


 

 




The Coleman A. Young Building has free public access to WiFi.




Greetings,

 

In collaboration with local schools and community service agencies, the Third Circuit Court - Juvenile Section has launched a pilot program designed to address the rise in chronic absenteeism among Wayne County Youth.  Referees from the Court hold informal intervention hearings with at-risk students, their parents, and school officials.  These hearings are designed as troubleshooting sessions; the student's record of attendance and academic performance is reviewed, along with any disciplinary history.  Problem areas are identified along with possible solutions.


Improved communication between students, parents, and school officials is commonly achieved during these hearings, along with increased parental involvement. An intervention plan to improve attendance and academic achievement is fashioned into a contract and signed by all parties.  Community agencies are utilized to provide support services to students and their families as needed.  Cases are generally monitored from one card marking to the next.  A review date is set to examine the student's progress.  Adjustments to the original intervention plan may be necessary to promote success.

 

Students referred to this program often face a multitude of challenges related to poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, untreated mental health issues, and other family stressors, in addition to academic difficulties.  Locating services to address these challenges is vital to the student's overall success, which is best measured on an individual basis.  Promoting the student's participation in positive social and academic activities is also important.


 
We find this intervention process is most successful with students who are just beginning to display a poor pattern of attendance and those who are not taking advantage of opportunities and resources presented to them.  School participation is critical.  These students need to be identified early and follow-up by the school must be consistent.

 

 

(From left to right - Kevin Weber: Principal Wayne Memorial HS, Referee Viola King, Vikki Kapanowski: Coordinator 3 rd  Circuit, Kristin Chiasson: School Counselor, Carie Schmidtke, Erin Davis and Jessica Ecie:  All Case Managers for Wayne Youth Services.)  

 

Please mark you calendars for Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.  and save the date for the next Wayne County Child Support Help Program at the Detroit Public Library, main branch, located at 5201 Woodward.  

 

Lastly, we want to dedicate the March newsletter to the Honorable Frances Pitts.  Visit the headline article and learn more. 


24 Hour Support 

 


Friend of the Court offers 24 hour access to your account through MiCase.  

Click the photo above to visit our website or visit  www.MICASE.STATE.MI.US

The Wayne County 

Friend of the Court

&

UAW

 

PRESENT
 

Walk-In Friend of the Court Assistance at

The UAW Region 1A Local 174 (Detroit Office)
Rory L. Gamble, Regional Director
15140 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48238
(313) 864-7878

 

Representatives from the court will be available to receive information and ask questions regarding your Friend of the Court case h eld every first and third Friday of the month.

 

The William Booth Legal Aid Clinic will be available to assist qualifying low income self-represented parties prepare motion packets and forms from 1:30p.m. to 3:00p.m. on:

Friday, March 20th

Friday, April 17th

 

Any updates to the schedule or location of these events will be posted at www.3rdcc.org or parties may contact the Friend of the Court Call Center at (313)224-5300 or the UAW at (313)864-7878. 

 
The Wayne County Friend of the Court is located at 645 Griswold, Detroit, MI 48226.  Parents may sign up for MiCase to get child support information online, www.micase.state.mi.us/ssoapp/login.   If you need further assistance, the Wayne County Friend of the Court Call Center may be reached at

(313) 224-5300.



Visit Our New 
Family Division-Juvenile
Website 
Like Us On Facebook

The Court has joined in the social media trend. We are on Facebook and want to connect with people in the county through social media.  Our weekly and monthly programs can now be viewed on our Facebook Fan Page.  

Search for - Third Judicial Circuit Court or just click on the "Join Us On Facebook" button above and like us.  

We want to stay connected and current with the   communities  and citizens we represent. 
Michigan Legal Help 
Self-Help Center 

The Michigan Legal Help Self-Help Center of Wayne County helps residents of Detroit and Wayne County who are unable to afford an attorney.   The Self-Help Center is now located in Smart Detroit, Suite 1300 of the Penobscot Building at 645 Griswold in Detroit.  
 
The Self-Help Center is now open Monday through Thursday from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.

Donations Are Needed

 

The Court's Clothing Closet is housed at the Lincoln Hall of Justice located at 1025 E. Forest Bldg. B, Room 118.  Donations are accepted on Tuesdays - Thursdays, 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. 

 

Currently, donations of coats, hats, gloves, pants, shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, and suits are needed for the winter season.  Please direct questions to Roland Smith, the CASA Director, at 313-833-3093.  This closet is open to everyone and no one will be turned away. 


Join Our E-mail List

 

Join our E-mail List and receive our monthly email newsletter from the Third Judicial Circuit Court and stay informed. 

Please send us your name and email to:   3cce-news@3rdcc.org