|
State Court Administrative Office
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) is the administrative agency
of the Michigan Supreme Court. Article VI, Section 3 of the Michigan
Constitution States that the Michigan Supreme Court "shall appoint
an administrator of the courts and other assistants of the supreme
court as may be necessary to aid in the administration of the courts
of this state." The Supreme Court has administrative oversight of
Michigan's courts and exercises that oversight through the SCAO.
Site Map
Topic Index
Organizational
Chart
Offices
and Programs
Staff and Contact Information
SCAO Dashboard
What's New
|
 |
| |
Photo credit: Justin Maconochie
Photography.
|
What SCAO Does
SCAO is charged with helping Michigan trial courts operate effectively so that they can serve the public. SCAO's activities include:
- Collecting data on courts' caseloads, including the types of cases each court hears and how long it takes the court to resolve cases;
- Mediating disputes between courts and their funding units or other government officials and agencies;
- Providing technological assistance, including computer hardware, software, and training;
- Assessing whether individual courts need more or fewer judges and sharing that information with the Legislature;
- Providing continuing education, including publications, for judges and court staff in a wide variety of areas;
- Educating the public about the judicial branch;
- Assigning judges and retired judges to fill in temporarily for an absent judge;
- Issuing statewide policy for court operations, such as case reporting
requirements and time guidelines for deciding cases;
- Helping courts improve collection of court-imposed fines, fees, and costs, much of which goes into state funds and to local governments;
- Assisting friend of the court offices with training and technical support;
- Offering legislative changes to improve the administration of justice, and reacting to legislation that would affect the courts;
- Overseeing courts' involvement in various child welfare issues, and offering ways to improve courts' handling of cases involving children who are or may become court wards;
- Providing training and other support for local community dispute resolution centers throughout Michigan.
What SCAO Does Not Do
- SCAO cannot change the result of an individual case. SCAO cannot change a judge's decision. Only an appellate court can do that.
- SCAO cannot order a judge, referee, or magistrate to rule a certain way.
- SCAO cannot change a court order regarding child support, parenting time, or child custody.
- SCAO is not a child welfare placement or direct service agency. SCAO cannot assist with adoptions or foster care placements.
- SCAO cannot give legal advice. If you need an attorney, contact the State Bar of Michigan at (800) 968-1442 or visit the State Bar's website at www.michbar.org.
- SCAO does not license attorneys or handle grievances against attorneys. The State Bar of Michigan (800-968-1442) can tell you if an attorney is licensed to practice law. If you believe that an attorney has acted unethically, contact the Attorney Grievance Commission at (313) 961-6585 or visit the Commission's website at http://www.agcmi.com.
- SCAO cannot remove a judge from office. Voters can; they have the power to not re-elect a judge. The Michigan Supreme Court can remove a judge from office, but only after a Judicial Tenure Commission proceeding. If a judge is found to have committed serious misconduct, the Michigan Supreme Court may then decide to remove that judge from office. If you believe that a judge has acted unethically, contact the Judicial Tenure Commission at (313) 875-5110 or visit the Tenure Commission's website at http://jtc.courts.mi.gov.
- SCAO does not handle bankruptcies or have information about how to
declare bankruptcy. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District
of Michigan (http://www.mieb.uscourts.gov)
may be reached at (313) 234-0068. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the
Western District of Michigan (http://www.miwb.uscourts.gov)
may be reached at (616) 456-2693 or (906) 226-2117.
- SCAO does not conduct criminal investigations. If you believe a crime may have been committed, contact your local prosecutor or law enforcement entity.
|
