Approved 9/14/06

JUDICIARY

August 10, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Don Reisig, Harry Moxley, Maureen Winslow, David Easterday, Travis Faulds, Judge Lawless, Judge Baird and others

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Holman at 7:35 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the July 13, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM., SUPPORTED BY COMM. TO APPROVE THE JULY 13 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         30^th Circuit Court – Friend of the Court – Resolution to Implement Procedures for Handling Reimbursable Costs for the Friend of the Court Bench Warrants

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING REIMBURSABLE COSTS FOR THE FRIEND OF THE COURT BENCH WARRANTS.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.   Absent:  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

In response to Comm. Dougan, Mr. Reisig explained the billing process in regard to reimbursable costs. 

2.         Circuit Court / Family Division – Presentation on Data Requests from Judiciary Committee

Mr. Faulds distributed copies of “Ingham County Circuit Court – Family Division Data” to the Committee.  The Data contained tracking information for the following divisions:

            Intake Division              Neglect and Delinquency Divisions

            Neglect Division                       Ingham County Youth Center

The Data also included Program Demographics for the following programs:

            Aftercare                                              Intensive Probation Services

            Intensive Probation Services                 Sex Offender Program

            Sex Offender Program              Standard Probation                                                      

Standard Probation Crossroads           

In-Home Detention

Residential Demographics for:

            Clarinda Transitional Living Center                    Highfields StART Program

            Peckham Footprints Group Home

Mr. Faulds stated the data was collected from October 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.  He then reviewed the information and addressed various questions from the Committee.  Comm. Schafer asked if any research has been conducted by the Court regarding the Michigan Challenge Academy.  Judge Lawless explained the Academy is appropriate as a diversionary program.  According to ‘best practices,’ this is not the appropriate program to use in most situations.  Comm. Schafer asked that the Court keep the Academy in mind.

(Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant arrived at 7:42 p.m. and assumed chairing the meeting.)

Comm. Nolan thanked the Court for the information.  She then asked the Court what timeframe would be appropriate for them to report to this Committee on a regular basis regarding their programs.  Judge Lawless stated quarterly reports would be reasonable; however, the information would be more efficient if reported at the end of the fiscal year.  Comm. Nolan stated she would like to see the data on a quarterly basis.

Mr. Faulds stated the Court is taking the data collection process seriously.  Improvements are being made to the current data collection system to ensure the data is accurate and thorough. 

Comm. Dougan stated he would like to see the principle zip code distribution outside of the City of Lansing.  Judge Lawless stated that information is available.  Comm. Nolan expressed her concern regarding the low numbers for the two new women’s facilities.  Mr. Faulds stated the facilities have been at full capacity for the past four months.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant explained that it takes time to get new programs on line and to tweak them to be more effective. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked the Court for the information presented this evening.  She then apologized for being late to the meeting.

Announcements

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the Juvenile Justice Millage was approved by 67% of the voters.  The Public Transportation Millage passed with approximately 75% of the vote.

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff

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