All Rise
Kathleen Jansen
puters, video depositions and
the faxing of pleadings, and to
incorporate those systems
within the practice of law,"
Judge Jansen said.
Judge Marilyn Kelly, who
began her term in 1989, is op-
timistic about decreasing the
case backlog.
"Using a variety of ap-
proaches this past year, we
have cut the backlog from
5,000 to 4,000 cases," Judge
Kelly said. "Now, with in-
creased funding, the use of
`borrowed' judges and four
new appellate judges tos be
elected in November, we will
eliminate the backlog within
two to three years."
Both Mr. Modelski and Mr.
Strelchuk, a Davisburg attorney,
said the best way to address the
accumulation of cases is through
hard work. In addition, Mr. Mod-
elski, a general practice lawyer
with an emphasis on criminal de-
fense, said writing clear, consis-
tent
opinions would offer less
hen voters go to the
reason for appeal.
polls on Nov. 8, there
our incumbents and one
is a good chance that
Bingham Farms attorney
most will be familiar
are vying for four open slots
with candidates at
on the Oakland County
the top of the ticket
Circuit Court.
like the U.S. Senate
Top, Dennis W. Strelchuk.
Leslie Anne Logan is hoping to
and Michigan gover- Above , Michael J. Modelski.
do
something rare in a judicial
nor's races.
race — oust an in-
The further down
cumbent.
a voter looks on the ballot, the less fa -
"In Oakland County espe-
miliar the names become. This is es - cially, it seems that once you
pecially true for judicial races.
are elected, you have the job for
Locally, voters will be asked to choos e life," Ms. Logan said. "An in-
judges for the Court of Appeals in the 2nd cumbent judge has never been
District, the Oakland County Circuit Court unseated and it has become an
and the district courts.
The Jewish News sent questionnaires to unspoken credo that attorneys
should not challenge them no
these candidates. All responded to a series of matter how incompetent they
questions about what they see as key judi- may be."
cial issues and ways to address them.
Sixth Circuit Judges David
In the race for three seats
F.
Breck,
on the 2nd District Court
Denise
Lang-
of Appeals, incumbents
ford-Morris,
Francis X.
Kathleen Jansen, Marilyn Jr
O'Brien and Edward Sos-
Kelly and Michael J. Kelly
nick brought up issues like
are being challenged by
an increasing docket and
Michael J. Modelski and
lim ited financial resources.
Dennis W. Strelchuk. All the candidates
Judge Sosnick, who has held his seat on
talked about the need to address the court's the Oakland County bench since 1989, said
backlog of cases.
developing better docket management tech-
Judge Jansen, who was originally ap- niques, using alternative dispute resolu-
pointed to the Court of Appeals by former tion methods and streamlining will help
Gov. James Blanchard in 1990, talked about cut costs. Judge Langford-Morris, who has
using alternative dispute resolution method- been on the bench two years, suggests up-
ologies like arbitration, mediation and sum- dating technology in the courts.
mary trials.
In attempting to address the backlog of
"I also believe we need to constantly ana- cases, Judge O'Brien, an incumbent for 17
lyze and update those resources that may be years, said he would continue to work long
available to assist in assuring the efficient hours on the court docket.
operation of the justice system, such as corn-
"More judges certainly," Judge Breck
F
A wide field of
candidates are
running for
judicial posts.
JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER
'
94
said about addressing the backlog. "But also
continue to encourage summary jury trials.
Also, I urge arbitration and mediation and
will work toward a better use of our retired
judges, including Rent a Judge,' experiment
with conference divorce trials and continue
to require divorcing parents to attend the
SMILE program initiated by Judge Edward
Sosnick."
SMILE educates parents on how divorce
impacts children's lives and what they can
do to minimize potential difficulties.
Ms. Logan said she is running because she
believes "the loss of respect and faith in the
system by the public is a problem that must
be addressed."
Her plan would include trying to alter the
public's perception by decreasing the time a
case takes from start to finish and limiting
the number of adjournments.
Alice Gilbert and Bryan Levy's names will
also appear on the ballot. They are vying for
a newly created 17th seat on the Oakland
County Circuit Court.
n the race for one seat on the 48th District
Court (Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham),
Neil M. Colman is hoping to oust incum-
bent Gus Cifelli, who has held his post
since 1973.
"I have been a judge in the 48th District
Court for the past 21 years," Judge Cifelli
I
ALL RISE page 40
Above, left,
Edward Sosnick
Above,
Neil Colman
Left,
Denise
Langford-Morris
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