Title
Resolution to Approve the Appointment of Tamara A. Garwood as Magistrate of the 15th Judicial District Court
Memorandum
On Friday May 27, 2016, Magistrate M. Colleen Currie of the 15th Judicial District Court will be resigning her position with the court after eight years of service to the City of Ann Arbor.
A Magistrate for the District Court is responsible for performing weddings, arraigning and sentencing persons who enter a plea of guilty or no contest to violations of certain state laws and local ordinances, reviewing and issuing search warrants on a 24/7 365 basis, reviewing and issuing misdemeanor and felony arrest warrants, setting bail and accepting bonds, presiding over civil infraction admissions, admissions with explanations and informal hearings, small claims litigation, as well as weekend and holiday arraignments, and assisting the judges of the 15th Judicial District Court as permitted by law.
The magistrate presides over approximately 2,500 arraignments, 400 small claims cases, 400 Minor in Possession review hearings and disposes of 2,800 traffic violations annually, significantly freeing the District judges’ dockets to hear contested issues, to conduct trials and to perform other judicial obligations not delegable to the magistrate.
The 15th Judicial District Court is permitted by MCL 600.8501(2) to appoint a district court magistrate. MCL 600.8501(2) also requires that the appointment of the district court magistrate be approved by the City Council.
Accordingly, the 15th Judicial District Court requests that the Ann Arbor City Council approve the appointment of local attorney Tamara A. Garwood as Magistrate of the 15th Judicial District Court to replace Magistrate M. Colleen Currie.
Staff
Prepared by: Shryl Samborn, Court Administrator, 15th Judicial District
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Magistrate of the 15th Judicial District presides over approximately 6,100 cases per year, accepts pleas, arraigns defendants, issues search and arrest warrants, sets bail and bond and in other ways authorized by statute assists the judges of the 15th Judicial District Court;
Whereas, The office of Magistrate of the 15th Judicial District Court is necessary for the equitable, effective and efficient administration of justice;
Whereas, Magistrate M. Colleen Currie is resigning her position at the 15th Judicial District Court effective Friday, May 27, 2016;
Whereas, The Revised Judicature Act (Public Act 236 of 1961) authorizes the judges of the 15th Judicial District to appoint one or more magistrates;
Whereas, Chief Judge Joseph F. Burke has appointed Tamara A. Garwood as Magistrate of the 15th Judicial District to succeed Magistrate Currie; and
Whereas, Under the Act, approval of the appointment of Tamara A. Garwood as Magistrate by the Ann Arbor City Council is required before Ms. Garwood assumes her duties of office;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council approve the appointment of Tamara A. Garwood by Chief Judge Joseph F. Burke as Magistrate of the 15th Judicial District Court effective this date.