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.

What's New for Trial Courts

​​ Click link for the judicial branch's response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

better data needed in courts, says CHIEF JUSTICE 

On the heels of jail reform bills being signed into law, Chief Justice Bridget McCormack penned an op-ed piece in the Detroit News on January 6 making the case for improved access to data in Michigan courts. In an excerpt, the Chief writes: "Until last year, it seemed everyone had a story (or 10) illustrating why Michigan’s jail and pretrial policies weren’t making our communities safer but were hurting families. But anecdotes don’t drive systemic improvements. Data does." Read the op-ed piece here. 

Women hold supreme court majority for 4th time in history

As new Justice Elizabeth Welch joined the bench in January, the Michigan Supreme Court shifted to having a majority of women for the fourth time in court history: Chief Justice Bridget McCormack; Justice Elizabeth Clement; Justice Megan Cavanagh; and Justice Welch. Read more in this WOOD-TV Grand Rapids article​.  

JAIL REFORMS PASS WITH OVERWHELMING SUPPORT​​

Supreme Court Unveils Report Aimed at Closing the Justice Gap