LINCOLN PARK — Finding order in the district court was a challenge in recent weeks, but jurists and prosecutors hope that the long-awaited consolidation of Lincoln Park’s 25th District Court with the now-defunct 26th District Court will result in smoother dockets for all concerned.
Lincoln Park’s court was closed for most of last week and the week before while staff from both districts worked to bring the former 26th District’s case load and files from Ecorse and River Rouge to a new home. As appointed last year and reported in Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly, 25th District Chief Judge Michael Ciungan will be chief jurist for the expanded district.
The court consolidation plan as approved in 2011 and signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder mandated court mergers in districts whose populations had declined. Previously the 26th operated out of two divisions — one each in River Rouge and Ecorse — the latter had been used as a second division for the 25th since last year.
The transfer of files was reportedly scheduled to be completed by Friday, with court resuming normal operations this week.