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Circuit Court reports drop in filings, specialty courts expand; state time study flags need for judges
Summary
Van Buren County circuit and district court leaders told commissioners that felony jury trials and post-trial work remain heavy, specialty courts and juvenile reforms continue to expand, and an initial weighted time study flagged the county as possibly needing up to 1.7 additional judges pending a deeper review.
Van Buren County circuit and district court leaders updated the Board of Commissioners on case loads, specialty courts and staffing needs at the July 8 committee meeting.
Court leaders told commissioners the county handled 38 jury trials in 2024, down from 52 in 2023, and that felony trials — which typically take longer than misdemeanors — remain the largest time commitment. “In 02/2024, we had 478 new case filings, criminal, felony filings compared to that bad year we saw earlier,” the judge said, reporting that criminal filings are down from earlier peaks.
The judge praised recent board-funded services and staff: “You gave us that funding for counseling sessions if needed, and so we appreciate that,” she said, referring to juror and staff counseling approved by the board to address secondary trauma. She also credited a…
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