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Wayne County Third Circuit judge briefs Livonia council on court structure and jury duty
Summary
Judge Margaret Van Houten of the Third Circuit (Wayne County) explained the court's divisions, caseload and jury-service qualifications to Livonia council and residents, urging participation in jury duty and explaining summons procedures.
Judge Margaret Van Houten of the Third Circuit Court (commonly called the Wayne County Circuit Court) visited a Livonia City Council meeting to explain the court’s structure, caseload and what to expect when summoned for jury duty.
Van Houten said the court has 59 judges across criminal, civil, family domestic and juvenile divisions and about 468 employees, and that Wayne County funds most staffing and facilities. "We are the busiest circuit court in Michigan," she said, citing more than 59,000 cases a year and 2024 figures of about 18,000 civil cases, 7,000 criminal felony cases and 33,000 family matters.
She reviewed juror qualifications and logistics: jurors must be 18 or older, Wayne County residents, U.S. citizens, able to communicate in English, physically and mentally able to serve, and not have served on a jury within the past year or have a felony record. Van Houten said over 225,000 residents in Wayne County were summoned for jury duty in 2024 and urged those summoned to respond to questionnaires online or by mail within 10 days of a summons.
The judge described new courthouse locations and services and said the court aims to provide equal access and fair procedures. "We are a very diverse bench," Van Houten said, adding that jurors frequently tell judges they found jury service interesting and worthwhile.
