October is Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
The Third Judicial Circuit Court is committed to the health and safety of the families that appear in our court. The Domestic Relations Division has two courts that exist specifically to address matters of domestic violence as they appear for the people of Wayne County. The Solution Oriented Domestic Violence Prevention Court ("SODVPC") was created in 2011 to address the comprehensive issues that affect the families of Wayne County. The judges and staff that work on this docket are trained to handle the cases involving the most severe allegations of domestic violence, including divorce, custody, support, and personal protection orders. The Personal Protection Order ("PPO") docket serves anyone in Wayne County who seeks the assistance of the court in order to end stalking and harassing behavior of those around them.
Some facts about PPOs:
Approximately 500 petitions for PPOs are filed each month in Wayne County.
There are three categories of PPOs: (1) domestic relationship, (2) non-domestic stalking, and (3) non-domestic sexual assault. Domestic relationship PPOs involve parties who are or were married, have a child in common, lived or are living together, and/or dated. Non-domestic stalking and sexual assault PPOs typically pertain to parties who are neighbors, former friends, or co-workers, but occasionally between relative strangers.
Regardless of what type of PPO is being sought, the party asking for a PPO is called a Petitioner, and the other party is called a Respondent.
A parent cannot get a PPO against their un-emancipated minor child (less than 18 years old), and an un-emancipated minor child cannot get a PPO against their parent. Though PPOs can contain custody provisions to ensure the safety of parents, parents cannot use PPOs in lieu of petitioning the court for a custody order.
Upon issuance, a PPO is immediately enforceable. However, a Respondent must be served with the Petition and given the opportunity to comply prior to arrest for an alleged violation of the PPO.
A Petitioner cannot violate their own PPO; only the Respondent's conduct is relevant in determining whether there has been a violation of a PPO.
Mutual PPOs are not permitted unless there are separate pleadings seeking a PPO, and the court makes specific findings supporting each PPO.
Ultimately, the SODVPC and the PPO courtroom strive to serve litigants with professionalism and understanding during what is an incredibly difficult process. To that end, the PPO Courtroom staff is happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have, so feel free to contact anyone there at (313) 224-0120.
Help is always available.
National Domestic Violence Hotline -
(800) 799-SAFE (7233)
First Step 24 Hour Helpline - (888) 453-5900
YWCA Interim House - (313) 861-5300
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Judge Frank S. Szymanski believes that children are our greatest assets. He applauds the answers to discipline issues that don't involve suspensions. Restorative practices in which students and staff address issues in a spirit of mutual respect have been successful in repairing harm and improving relationships and empowering students by teaching them to address issues face to face.
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The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. Detroit Club (NANBPWC) started the 2015-16 Club year by making a donation to the Third Circuit Court's Clinic for Child Study's Back to School Backpack Drive. Club President Lynda Dandridge presented the donation to Chief Judge Robert J. Colombo, Jr. and the Court team to ensure the Wayne County youth start the school year with school supplies, personal hygiene, and proper uniform attire.
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Online Jury Questionnaires
Are Available
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Join our E-mail List and receive our monthly E-mail newsletter from the Third Judicial Circuit Court and stay informed.
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Greetings,
The month of October brings a host of Court-Community activities and marks the recognition for several public awareness campaigns.
October is Child Support Month: The Friend of the Court, in partnership with the Legal Aid and Defender's Office and the Salvation Army's William Booth Legal Clinic, hosts its semiannual child support event at the Detroit Public Library. There will be volunteer attorneys to assist with the preparation of documents and to answer questions. The Friend of the Court staff will explain the arrearage discharge program and assist attendees with signing up for Mi-Case, the web-based child support information system.
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Michael
Kwarcinski and his staff in the Personal Protection Courtroom are available to help when there are questions or concerns regarding domestic violence and personal protection orders.
Finally, each year the Association of Conflict Resolution celebrates Conflict Resolution Day on the third Thursday in October and on October 15, 2015, The Family Assessment, Mediation, and Education (FAME) staff will celebrate. In 2014, FAME mediated and settled over 250 parenting time and custody disputes. In mediation, parents are able to design parenting plans that fit their specific needs. Research shows that parents who mediate are more satisfied with agreement than those who choose to litigate. Mediation is an alternative that works in many situations and circumstances to help ensure a child has an ongoing relationship with both parents.
The Court acknowledges these special days, but most importantly, the Court acknowledges the work of court staff and the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that the Court is able to meet judicial needs in these areas throughout the entire year.
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A Thank You Note to CASA
:
I wanted to take a moment to share with you several positive experiences that have occurred here in the past few weeks. While these incidents may seem small, they have truly made a difference in the lives of the children involved.
I had three children yesterday returning to the care of their parents. All of these children had been out of a public school for at least a year and had no supplies. The parents, while thrilled to have their children home again, were clearly concerned about the costs of supplies necessary to outfit them for return to high school. The CASA office outfitted these three children with brand new backpacks for school.
Two weeks ago I referred a child who was also returning home from shelter care to the CASA office for assistance in securing clothing to wear to public school. She informed me during the hearing that her clothes were inappropriate for school as they were too revealing and she wanted to start school fresh with conservative clothing and a positive attitude. Mr. Smith and his CASA staff outfitted her with an entire wardrobe from the Clothing closet.
That same week, four children on my docket were outfitted with brand new Converse tennis shoes courtesy of the CASA program. One of these children told me she had not had new shoes in over two years and was wearing used shoes from the shelter.
Eight children were provided gifts courtesy of CASA. These gifts may seem small to some, but to me and to these children, they made a huge difference. These gifts enabled them to return to school with confidence. When they left my courtroom, while they were of course happy about returning home; as teenagers they were nervous about returning to public high school, feeling insecure as all teens do about their clothing, financial status, and parents inability to purchase those things all kids want.
I begin every day at work with the thought that I can hopefully make a difference in the life of one child. The CASA donors and staff, through their simple kindness, have made a difference for these eight children, and I am confident for many more. What I am most appreciative of is that Mr. Smith and his staff always makes the children feel special, are excited to provide these gifts to them, and the children walk away happy and confident. This confidence is something these children have little of and if a new outfit, shoes, or a backpack can make them excited to begin school, then this is something we need to applaud and support.
Referee Allen
Third Circuit Court
Juvenile-Family Division
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Visit Our
Family Division-Juvenile
Website
FREE CHILD SUPPORT HELP
October 14, 2015
Focus Hope
Every 2nd Wednesday
Child Support Representatives 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Every 4th Wednesday Child Support 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Family Law and Expungement Representatives 1:30 pm to 3 pm only Focus: HOPE Machinist Training Institute (MTI) 1200 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48238
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Walk In Friend of the Court Assistance
Friday, October 16, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The UAW Region 1A Local 174 (Detroit Office)
Rory L. Gamble, Regional Director
15140 Livernois
Detroit, MI 48238
(313) 864-7878
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The Wayne County Friend of the Court is located at 645 Griswold, Detroit, MI 48226. Parents may sign up for MiCase to get child support information online,
https://micase.state.mi.us/ssoapp/login
.
If you need further assistance, the Wayne County Friend of the Court Call Center may be reached at
(313) 224-5300.
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Mental Health Website
Promotes Community Inclusion
Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority now has a quick way to access opportunities for education, individual growth, and connection to community service programs and activities. It includes participation of all three tri-county Community Mental Health agencies, Detroit Wayne, Oakland County and Macomb County.
Visit
www.dwmha.com
to find the Wayne County events near you; look for the
Commonwealth
logo at the bottom of the page.
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24 Hour Support
Friend of the Court offers 24 hour access to your account through MiCase.
Click the photo above to visit our website or visit
www.MICASE.STATE.MI.US
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Michigan Legal Help
Self-Help Center
The Michigan Legal Help Self-Help Center of Wayne County helps residents of Detroit and Wayne County who are unable to afford an attorney.
The Self-Help Center is now located in Smart Detroit, Suite 1300 of the Penobscot Building at 645 Griswold in Detroit.
The Self-Help Center is now open Monday through Thursday from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
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The Coleman A. Young Building has free public access to WiFi.
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