Birmingham backs adding court magistrate

By Grace Lovins

A new magistrate may be added to the docket at the 48th District Court after Birmingham City Commissioners offered their approval during the Monday, August 24, meeting.

The court must obtain approval from all the governing bodies to officially make the adjustment. The 48th District County serves Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake and Orchard Lake Village.

Court administrator Patrick Dunn explained that the court currently has a rotation of three magistrates and only one magistrate is in the courthouse at a time. Approval of the fourth magistrate would allow the court to add a fourth person into the same rotation without impacting the court’s budget or finances.

“The remaining three magistrates will essentially be getting less docket time as this new one gets added into the fold, and that is how the cost is distributed, on a per docket basis,” Dunn said.

Dunn offered that the addition of a fourth magistrate also allows for the individual to get acclimated to the court and familiar with their procedures. In the event that one of the magistrates leaves the court or the docket needs to be adjusted, the fourth magistrate will already be familiar with the processes.

After minimal discussion and questions from commissioners, they ultimately voted 5-1 to approve the appointment of a fourth magistrate, with commissioner Brad Host voting against the motion.