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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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The
Challenge of every team is to build a feeling
of oneness, of dependence on one
another
because
the question is usually not how well each
person performs,
but how
well they work together.
~Vince
Lombardi
Chief Judge
Robert J. Colombo, Jr. & Cheryl
McGill-McNeary
Team Leader
111 - Clinic for Child Study
Ms.
McGill-McNeary has been employed with the Court
for 16 years.
April's Quote of the Month Winner
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Helping Hands
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Helping Hands, Inc. is
a 501 (c)(3) that serves the families under the
Court's jurisdiction.
Its
founder, Andre Mays, has been very supportive of
the Juvenile Mental Health Court and the
S.T.A.N.D., the Juvenile Drug Court.
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Collaboration
At Its Best
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Under
the leadership of Presiding Judge Virgil
Smith and Judge Frank
Szymanski,
in coordination with the Casey Family Program
Foundation, the Third Circuit Court Juvenile
Division created the volunteer parenting time
program and an internal subcommittee to
oversee it. The parenting time
subcommittee conducted its first training of
volunteers at Greater Grace Church in
Detroit. The purpose of this training
is to assess volunteers who will be
supervising parenting time between children
who are in foster care and their families.
The training was led by officials from
DHHS. By the Court and DHHS
fostering more opportunities for more
parenting time in the community, there is a
greater opportunity for parents to be
reunified with their children. The goal
is to train the volunteers to properly
supervise visits of children who have been
removed from their families.
This is one of the initiatives of the
collaborative relationship between the Third
Circuit Court and the Casey Family Program
Foundation.
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Educational Series
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Circle of Trust
On
Monday, April 4, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00
p.m., 12 consumers, along with their parents
and siblings, attended The Circle of Trust
Educational Series featuring Jonathan
Edison. Mr. Edison is one of the most
compelling thought leaders and Motivational
Business Speakers today and author of the
book, "Survival
Mode."
Jonathan was able to use his humor to engage
the consumers and their families. He
shared his own personal story as to how he
overcame trauma to achieve his personal goals
in life. He shared with the group his
personal motto "Results Don't Lie, people
do!" Everyone who attended received a
copy of his latest book.
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Join our E-mail List and receive our monthly E-mail
newsletter from the Third Judicial Circuit Court
and stay informed.
Please send us your name and email address to
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3cce-news@3rdcc.org
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Greetings,
April is
National Child Abuse Awareness Month, and we
acknowledge the jurists, staff, attorney groups,
social workers, and volunteers at the Lincoln Hall
of Justice. There were approximately 1,000
protective service cases filed in 2016, and each of
these individuals play a special role in the
neglect and abuse matters helping to ensure the
safety of children.
CASA
volunteers advocate for the well-being of
children.
The social
workers seek to place the children with foster care
parents who provide not only a home, but love and a
sense of hope. It really does take a village
and everyone gives of themselves tirelessly to
ensure the children are safe. This month we
acknowledge this village.
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Third
Circuit Court Press
Conference
On
March 21st,
2017, Chief Judge Robert J. Colombo,
Jr. held a press conference to raise
awareness about the upcoming show
cause hearing that will be held on
April 27th,
2017 for 250 jurors that failed to
appear for jury duty in 2016.
The press conference was also to
raise awareness about the importance
of appearing for jury duty. On the
day of the show cause, jurors will be
given a new date to serve.
Jurors will appear in groups of 10
and will be given an opportunity to
explain why they did not appear for
jury duty. Those jurors that
have valid reasons with
documentation, such as age (over 70
and wish not to serve), a felony
record, medical condition,
non-citizen or non-resident, may be
excused. Those that do not feel
they should serve and do not qualify
for excusal will be able to speak
with an attorney that will be
present. Those that refuse to
serve and do not have a valid reason
for excusal can serve jail time
and/or pay a $250.00 fine.
"Last year I did not send anyone to
jail," stated Judge Colombo.
Those that do not appear to the show
cause will be issued a bench
warrant.
"The
Third Circuit Court has a one day one
trial service, which means you no longer
serve for a week or more on several
different trials. If you are not
selected for a jury trial, your jury
service is complete. If a juror is
seated on a jury panel, they serve until
that trial is complete and the jury
service is fulfilled," stated Judge
Colombo.
During the press
conference, Judge Colombo stated, "That
when people do not appear for jury
duty, it is unfair to those that do
because those that appear are called
more often." He further stated,
"That when jurors do not appear for
jury duty, it costs the Court
money. In 2016, jurors that
failed to appear cost the Court
$13,353. The Third Circuit Court
held 500 jury trials in 2016 and the
Third Circuit Court strives to ensure
that we have enough jurors and that our
jury panels represent the thinking of
the Wayne County Community." He
also mentioned that bus tickets will be
available for those jurors that express
hardship with transportation
costs. Jurors are paid $25.00 for
the first day and $40.00 each
subsequent day if the juror is required
to return.
"Jury
service is the purest form of
government. When you sit as a
juror, you get to do exactly what I
do. You listen to the evidence
being presented and you make a
decision. Jurors that appear find
that it is an enjoyable experience,"
stated Judge Colombo.
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Helping Professions Appreciation
Breakfast
Honoring Social
Work
On March 31, 2017, in honor of
Social Work
month, Court Administration recognized all of the
Court's counselors, psychologists, and social
workers at a breakfast event. Just over 30
Court employees attended the event and were
acknowledged for the work they do within the Court.
During and after the event, attendees
expressed gratitude for being recognized for the
cool swag they received. Those who were not
able to attend still received water bottles and
stress balls.
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April's Shout Out goes to the Lincoln
Hall of Justice Referees: At the
Juvenile Section of the Third Circuit
Court, Referees and Judges work
together with professionalism,
integrity, and respect to provide
justice with compassion to the
children and families of Wayne
County. The referees have as jurists
over a hundred years of experience on
the juvenile bench and many more
years working in the Juvenile Court
as past prosecutors, attorneys, and
advocates for Wayne
County.
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Veterans
Court Graduation
Judge
Deborah A. Thomas and Judge Ulysses W. Boykin
(who is an Army veteran and who recently joined
the VTC team as a Supervising Judge) commemorated
three graduates during a closed session.
Both saluted the efforts of the graduates
who stayed the course over an intensive two-year
probation period. Before the commencement closed,
Judge Deborah A. Thomas stated to the graduates,
"...we are a family and always here for
you."
The
Veterans of Foreign Wars, 4th District
Honor Guard opened the ceremony by presenting
colors. Drug Court Case Manager and former
VTC Case Worker, Ms. Kara Baxter, graced the
attendees with her musical talent and sang the
National Anthem.
Chief
Judge Robert J. Colombo, Jr. and Chief Judge Pro
Tem and Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division,
Timothy M. Kenny were present, as well as members
from Administration, other Specialty Court
Programs, MDOC, the Prosecutor's Office, and the
private defense bar. During the ceremony, Judge
Timothy M. Kenny applauded the efforts of the
Veterans Court team and wished continued success
to the graduates.
Veterans
Court is continually looking for other veterans
to serve as mentors, as well as community
partners who provide veteran services. If
you are interested in more information about the
Veterans Court program, please contact Specialty
Court Coordinator John Marra at (313) 224-6316.
His office is located in Frank Murphy Hall of
Justice, Room 907.
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Wayne
County Friend of the Court
Outreach
Within Reach
April
2017
Have questions
about the Friend of the Court?
Need help with
your case?
Visit our
staff at any of the below venues this
month!
Thursday,
April 27, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wayne County
Legal Resources Consortium
Penobscot
Building, Floor 13, 645 Griswold, Detroit MI
48226
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