who is the court appointed attorney for ottawa county?

Full Answer

See more

What is the job of a magistrate in Ottawa County?

Her duties include legal research and writing for the Court, conducting conferences and hearings in various civil, criminal, and domestic cases, assisting with jury trials, preparing local rules, and monitoring the flow of the Court’s docket.

Where did Leah work before Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas?

Prior to full-time employment with the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas, Leah interned with the Court as the DATA Program Coordinator Intern. Through that experience Leah knew the career path she wanted to pursue.

What does Magistrate Goodell do?

In his capacity as Magistrate, Magistrate Goodell acts as judicial hearing officer and has the authority to conduct trials, take witness testimony, make evidentiary rulings, and issue temporary orders as needed to regulate the Court proceedings.

How to contact Stephanie from Ottawa?

Stephanie can be reached by email at [email protected]

Who is Stephanie in Ottawa County?

Stephanie was appointed as a Staff Attorney and Magistrate with the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court in November 2020. Her duties include legal research and writing for the Court, conducting conferences and hearings in various domestic, criminal, and civil cases, assisting with jury trials, and monitoring the flow of the Court’s dockets.

Who is Jodi in the courtroom?

Jodi was hired as the Administrative Assistant in 2014. Her duties include scheduling court hearings, sending notices to attorneys and parties, preparing and distributing court documents, and preparing required reporting statistics. She is also responsible for telephone communications and conference calls, organizing files for the docket, and managing Court calendars. She also serves as the Notary Commissioner.

What court is Ottawa County in?

In Ottawa County, all serious misdemeanor cases as well as capital felony and non-capital felony crimes are handled by the 20th Circuit Court – Trial Division, in Grand Haven, Michigan:

How many people live in Ottawa County?

According to the most recent census, Ottawa County had over 263,000 people in it. The vast majority of these people were Caucasian. (90%) Over 80,000 house holds had children living in the house who were under the age of 18. The vast majority of couples living in Ottawa County were married.

Where do felony cases go in Michigan?

In Ottawa County, both misdemeanor and felony cases begin in the District Court. After arraignment and preliminary examination, felony cases are transferred to the Circuit Court — Michigan’s trial court. However, the preliminary examination (hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a felony indictment) can be waived, resulting in an immediate transfer of the case to the Circuit Court. All traffic offenses that are classified as a misdemeanor or civil infraction are handled by the District Court. You need the five-star rated Ottawa County Criminal Defense Attorneys like Shawn Haff on your side to get the best results possible.

What happens if you get charged with drug charges in Ottawa County?

If you are facing drug charges in Ottawa County, you are facing potential jail or prison time and the loss of your driving license. Michigan courts consider drug crimes to be serious crimes and love hammering people with jail and prison sentences. You need an outstanding attorney on your side to avoid these kind of negative consequences to your life. Drug crime sentences are dependent on the narcotic possessed and how much of the specific narcotic possessed. I have even seen a judge give a kid 4 months in jail for simple possession of marijuana.

Where is the 58th District Court located?

The 58th District Court in Ottawa County consists of three courthouse locations, in Grand Haven, Holland and Hudsonville:

Where is Judge Bunce in the courthouse?

You will find Judge Knoll and Judge Jonas at the Holland, District Court. Judge Bunce is going to be found at the Grand Haven District Court . Judge Mulder can be found at the Hudsonville, District Court. Once in a while, a district court judge might be found at a courthouse you would normally not expect to see them at. Judge Bunce was once at Hudsonville, District Court because Judge Mulder could not handle some cases on her docket because she had a potential conflict of interest.

Can a preliminary examination be waived?

However, the preliminary examination (hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a felony indictment) can be waived, resulting in an immediate transfer of the case to the Circuit Court. All traffic offenses that are classified as a misdemeanor or civil infraction are handled by the District Court.

How Do I Get a Court-Appointed Attorney?

To request a court-appointed attorney, you will fill out a financial questionnaire stating that you cannot afford an attorney. The court will take into account your stated ability to pay, the number of dependents you have, as well as other factors such as whether you bonded out, who paid the bond, and the amount of the bond. Generally speaking, individuals who receive government support will qualify for a court-appointed attorney. The Fair Defense Act defines an indigent person as any person with a household income at or below the Living Wage Calculator guidelines as established and revised periodically by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and whose liquid assets do not exceed $15,000.

What is the Difference Between a Court Appointed Attorney and a Retained Attorney?

The first and most important difference is choice. When you retain an attorney, you have the ability to choose and retain the person you believe will be the best criminal defense attorney for your case. It’s a very personal decision.

Why Don’t Court-Appointed Attorneys Talk to Family Members About the Case?

Collin County has a summary of why court-appointed attorneys do not answer questions about the specifics of a criminal case with family members. You can read that article here.

What is retained attorney?

Retained attorneys, on the other hand, vary greatly in price. Attorneys who require low down payments are generally in the volume business and often provide the same level of service a court-appointed attorney provides. Attorneys who charge at least half down are generally not in the volume business and can provide personalized attention.

What happens when you retain a lawyer?

When you retain an attorney, you have the ability to choose and retain the person you believe will be the best criminal defense attorney for your case. It’s a very personal decision. If you are eligible for a court-appointed attorney, you will have no say in who your court-appointed attorney will be. Your lawyer is selected randomly ...

Do you have to pay back court appointed attorney fees?

The court may order you to pay back the court-appointed attorney fees as a bond condition and as a condition of probation. That fee, however, will be much less than that of a retained attorney.

Is it true that the more experienced and qualified an attorney is, the more the attorney will cost?

While that is true in many cases, it is not an absolute truth. It is true that the more experienced and qualified an attorney is, the more the attorney will cost. However, who you pick as your attorney should be based on how comfortable you feel with that attorney.

Court Appointed Attorney Program (CAAP)

The New Mexico Judiciary, through the Court Appointed Attorney Program (CAAP) is committed to providing quality legal representation for indigent parties in civil proceedings when the law requires the court appoint an attorney.

Court Appointed Attorney Fund (CAAF)

The Administrative Office of the Courts receives a limited amount of state general fund monies to provide court-appointed legal representation to indigent clients in Children’s Code and Mental Health proceedings. Any remaining funds are available to pay non-contract attorneys appointed by the district courts in these cases on a case-by-case basis.

Court Appointed Attorney Assignment Process

The Administrative Office of the Courts, via the Court Appointed Attorney Program (CAAP) contracts with attorneys around the state in order to provide each judicial district with a list of attorneys who can be appointed to provide legal representation to indigent clients, children and youth in Children’s Code matters as well as in Mental Health proceedings.

Who reviews court appointed attorney applications?

A clerk will review the application for court appointed attorney to determine a person’s financial eligibility and their ability to pay an application fee and if appropriate a contribution amount towards the court appointed attorney.

How to apply for court appointed counsel?

If you would like to apply for court appointed attorney you will need to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility. If you are out of custody, you may apply in person at the Indigent Defense window on the first floor of the Courthouse. If you are in custody, a clerk of the court will contact you at the jail, or you may request court appointed counsel at your first court appearance. There is typically a $20.00 application fee, and depending on your financial situation the court may charge an additional contribution amount.

Who is not eligible for legal representation at state expense?

Persons who are involved in a civil proceeding, such as domestic relations matter, personal injury, landlord / tenant, bankruptcy and employment cases are not eligible for legal representation at state expense.

Can you hire an attorney for a juvenile?

In addition, a court appointed attorney may be requested in a juvenile dependency (abu se or neglect ), termina tion of parental rights, or juvenile delinquency proceeding .