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When 36th District Court Judge Kenneth King made headlines recently for having a teen on a field trip handcuffed for sleeping in his courtroom, it was a reminder to pay close attention to the people we elect to wear those black robes. 

Judges don’t just decide how many years someone will spend in prison; they also rule on important matters like traffic violations and who gets custody of children in a divorce.

“Judges have a significant influence over the cases that directly affect Detroiters’ everyday life,” said Ceclia Zavala, co-executive director for Nation Outside, a Michigan advocacy organization led by people affected by the criminal legal system. “Voting for judges can help ensure that Detroiters have a say in who holds this crucial power.”

Even though voting for local judges is important, it can be harder to find information about judicial candidates than other races. Some candidates’ survey responses are posted on websites like Vote 411 or Ballotpedia. The Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association also rates candidates.

Tracy Cooley, executive director of the Detroit Bar Association, recommends voters check out candidates’ websites, look them up on LinkedIn, search for their written work, and check the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission site for complaints and disciplinary action rulings.

For the 2024 general election, Detroiters will see several judicial races on the ballot, including for state Supreme Court. Only three local judicial contests are competitive. We’ve included details about each one below.

Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court candidates

The 3rd Circuit Court, the largest circuit court in the state, handles felony criminal cases and civil lawsuits with claims over $25,000. Its family division deals with matters such as divorce, child abuse and juvenile offenses.

Two non-incumbents are running for one open seat:

Attorney John Larkin has more than 30 years of legal experience in Wayne County, handling cases in personal injury, criminal defense, landlord-tenant cases, bankruptcy and more. He advocates for tracking judges’ arrival and departure times and their average time to resolve a case. He also supports making Zoom available in every courtroom. The Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association rated him “well qualified.” Read more about Larkin here.

Adrienne G. Scruggs has been an attorney for nearly 20 years, working in criminal, civil, family, and probate law. She works as a family law referee for the Friend of the Court at the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County and has previously worked for the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court – Friend of the Court. She believes judicial temperament matters, and said she tries to follow a former mentor’s advice to “always be calm.” The Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association rated her “well qualified.” Read more about Scruggs here.

Wayne County Probate Court candidates

The Probate Court handles wills, trusts, estates, involuntary mental health treatment matters and more. 

Four non-incumbents are competing for two open seats.

Attorney Todd E. Briggs has practiced law for more than 35 years. He is passionate about public policy involving estate planning and inheritance, and says he advocates for guardianship and conservatorship. He wants to create a supportive courtroom environment for families. He did not participate in the Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association ratings process.

Macie Gaines has been a lawyer for a decade. She works in private practice for clients navigating Wayne County Probate Court. She says she would treat everyone who enters her courtroom with dignity. She is chair of the Probate Litigation Section of the Detroit Bar Association. The Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association rated her “outstanding.” 

Ron L. Haywood has been a lawyer for 25 years and is an administrative hearing officer for Detroit’s Department of Appeals and Hearings, also known as blight court. He has also worked as a Wayne County assistant prosecutor. He says he was inspired by Black judges while watching the Detroit Recorder’s Court as a teen. He did not participate in the Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association ratings process.

Daniel L. Mercier is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan but had his license suspended in 2013 for misconduct. The hearing panel found that he had “engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer.” Mercier’s license was reinstated in 2018. He did not participate in the Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association ratings process.

36th District Court candidates

District court is sometimes called “the people’s court” because it’s the court most members of the public interact with. In Detroit, the 36th District Court handles criminal and civil cases, traffic violations and probation. The criminal division handles misdemeanor cases and certain aspects of felony cases. The civil division handles claims up to $25,000.

Three non-incumbents running for two open seats:

Andrea Bradley-Baskin is general counsel for the 36th District Court. She says she previously worked as an administrative law judge for the State of Michigan and a hearing officer for the City of Detroit. She says she’s committed to due process for everyone and unbiased decision-making that is based on the law. The Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association rated her “outstanding.”

William Burton, Jr. has worked as a 36th District Court magistrate since 2023. Magistrates are lawyers appointed by district judges who may hear small claims cases and perform other duties. He also served as a Wayne County assistant prosecutor for nearly two decades. Burton says he sought truth rather than convictions as an assistant prosecutor. The Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association rated him “qualified.”

Malaika Ramsey-Heath has been a 36th District Court magistrate since 2020. She previously worked as an appellate defender and as a private practice attorney. Ramsey-Heath acknowledges that judicial decisions can be difficult and unpopular but said she is committed to doing what’s right. The Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee of the Detroit Bar Association rated her “well qualified.”

Laura Herberg is a civic life reporter for Outlier Media. Sarah Hulett is the enterprise editor for Outlier Media.