We also endorse Wayne Circuit Judge Kirsten Frank Kelly, who has performed well as presiding judge of the Family Court. Judge Cooper demonstrated steadiness and skill in handling difficult cases involving Jack Kevorkian. Judge Smolenski has served as both a district and circuit judge. While we have questioned some of Judge Murphy's rulings, he has also been upheld on criminal cases in the Supreme Court and is well regarded by his peers, as is evidenced by his election as chairman of the Judicial Tenure Commission, which is a watchdog agency for errant jurists. Judge Maloney would bring valuable experience to the appellate court after serving as a circuit judge, county prosecutor and senior official in the criminal division of the U.S. Justice Department during the Bush administration.
Circuit judges hear major criminal and civil cases.
They are the front line of the legal system. They must handle large caseloads make swift decisions in the heat of trial. For Wayne Circuit Court , our nod goes to Annette J. Berry and Kathleen McCarthy . Ms. Berry is a well-respected veteran of the state attorney general's office, who now works in the gaming division here in Detroit. Ms. McCarthy has had broad experience as a legal practitioner and has said she would seek assignment to the Family Court, which deals with matters that are vital to the welfare of children and families.