Order in Wayne

L.A.K. McKean
Posted 8/21/12

The Honorable Judge Raymond L. Hamill presided at the Wayne County Commissioners’ Meeting and presented the 2012 State of the Court Report.

Hamill reported he has witnessed the skyrocketing …

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Order in Wayne

Posted

The Honorable Judge Raymond L. Hamill presided at the Wayne County Commissioners’ Meeting and presented the 2012 State of the Court Report.

Hamill reported he has witnessed the skyrocketing increase in cases regarding foreclosures and credit card issues which, as some would believe, leads to theft because of the economy. “The increase in theft is not due to the economy, rather it happens to support a person’s drug habit,” said Hamill. He has also noticed an increase of cases known as pro se litigants. This is where a person represents themselves, whether civil or criminal, without an attorney. This results in a substantial number of consumers taking up court time because they are ill prepared to represent their own cases.

Hamill also acknowledged the positive attributes he has found in the Wayne County justice system. He commended the outstanding citizenship of the Wayne County jurors who show up to jury duty to serve, but also said there are those who turn up with excuses of why they could not serve. He also commented on the enhancement of the rehabilitation programs in the system. The in/out Drug and Alcohol program is particularly helpful for the detainees at the Wayne County Correctional Facility.

During his five-year service, Hamill noted improvements to the courthouse, especially the renovations to the fourth floor. There is now climate control, and the visitor’s waiting room, which is set aside for litigants and families involved in court proceedings, is configured so that families have an area of privacy. Hamill sees the improvement as being long lasting.

In other news, a certification was approved for Children and Youth Services. The year-to-date financial report is $2,111,885—20% of that was local. Also, the Department of Public Welfare Mental Health Report of Income and Expenditures for the fiscal year 2011/12 came to $1,606,712, and the Early Intervention Report of Income and Expenditures for the year 2011/12 amounted to $291,616.

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