A state task force report released Thursday says local courts rely too heavily on fines and fees to fund their operations. It says that creates problems with inequality and erodes faith that the justice system is fair.
These findings are an early step toward overhauling how local courts are funded in Michigan. The report says in some places, courts use the revenue to make ends meet. In others, local court surpluses are used to fund other government services.
State Court Administrator Tom Boyd says the inequality undermines confidence in the judiciary and a fix is overdue.
“We can have people who come to court because they will believe it was about public safety, not a money grab.”
The recommendations include putting all that revenue into one state-managed fund to be disbursed based on formula approved by the Legislature.
