KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Among public institutions hit hard by the pandemic are local courtrooms, and the hits keep coming.
Trials have resumed in Kalamazoo County after a long hiatus, but things are far from normal and it’s not just COVID-19 protocols. They are digging their way out of a huge backlog of over a thousand felony cases alone. 86 of them could result in life sentences.
Chief District Judge Christopher Haenicke says at the same time, they are folding brand new rules and web-based technology into how the courts do business.
“It’s a changed world and at some point, we will be able to look at it and say ok, what does the world look like now and how do we build on this going forward? It’s trying times for everybody.”
Chief Circuit Court Judge Alexander Lipsey says on top of that, they have two vacant judgeships. Court procedures that have been in place for their entire careers are being altered and Prosecutor Jeff Getting says new technologies are being used in many steps in the process.
“The state court administrator’s office, the Michigan Supreme Court, the Legislature, everybody continues to throw fast balls at us.”
In the end…the changes may result in a more efficient and accessible criminal justice system, but right now, it remains quite a challenge.
