MIbLAWg: Michigan Supreme Court Commentary

Michigan's Radical Supreme Court

The Michigan Supreme Court has been  labeled many things in the last few years.  Many call it the 'Engler Court'  (in reference to the ex-Governor John Engler who many assert packed the courts with political cronies with little judicial experience) .   However, the latest round of bad decisions from the Michigan Supreme Court was so unprecedented (pardon the pun) that even the staid Associated Press finally admitted that our highest court has earned a ‘radical reputation.'  The court itself has been under attack for being political and result oriented.

Regardless of your political posture, such a reputation does tremendous harm to the Michigan judiciary and public confidence in our justice system.  The judiciary is supposed to be independent and 'non-political.'  This third branch of government is the check and balance on the two other political branches.  When our courts become politicized, every Michigan citizen stands to lose.

Here are some links of interest:

• MTLA President Michael Pitt's Column
• Justice at any price?
• Michigan Supreme Court: The Impact Will Be Felt for a Decade
• Fieger to file complaint against four Supreme Court justices
• Trial attorney takes issue with critics on Supreme Court
• Complaint against four state Supreme Court justices
• Trial Lawyers Target Three Michigan Judges Up for Election
• Restore Balance and Fairness to the Michigan Supreme
• Michigan Supreme Court Targets Women
• Justice Nobody
• Justice Markman Ad- Extremist

   

Rational Thought As The Basis Of Law

Here is a great quote from Steve Sanders, UofM law blogger from his blog "Reason & Liberty"
..........
Reason - meaning accurate perception and logical argument, based on fact rather than prejudice or superstition - is critical to the survival of liberty. Reason is the essence of law; it depends on an enlightened citizenry and a free press ... Civil liberties, human autonomy, and the countermajoritarian principles of our Constitution are in peril when fundamental rights are subject to the whims of popular opinion, and when dogma supplants free thought and debate.
.......

Michigan Justice: Open Forum

So here we are.  Just you and me. And of course the entire wired world. 

Why shouldn't we speak our minds, express our views and rant about those things that are wrong with the Michigan justice system?  Progress, innovation and change rarely occur without discourse and a healthy exchange or ideas. 

Sure we have our legal organizations such as the Michigan Bar Association, the Michigan Trial Lawyers, our local bar associations.  But where can Michigan lawyers and other legal professionals go to really say what they want to say, to bring about the changes which are necessary if our justice system is to grow and evolve into something better. For that matter, where can Michigan citizens go to express their thoughts about the justice system which serves them?

So many discussions about the inadequacies of our legal system occur behind closed doors, or on email list servs.  I'm certain we all feel better when we express our views in private.  But such discussions rarely create the impetus for true change.  And I think we all realize that the public hasn't a clue as to what is happening in our Michigan justice system, good, bad or indifferent.  How about an open forum for EVERYONE who cares about Michigan Courts and the Michigan legal system to express proposals, ideas and frustrations?

If it sounds too good to be true, then you fail to realize the power of the internet when matched with the first amendment right to free speech.  This bLAWg is devoted to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the power of ideas to change the world in which we live.  But the First Amendment needs fuel to operate as designed.  That fuel comes from you. 

So, I invite you to grab your favorite beverage and cozy up to your computer keyboard or speech recognition device.  Let your ideas flow. Together, we can improve our Michigan justice system one idea at a time.