judge kengis allegan county

In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the case. ALLEGAN Should a criminal defendant in Allegan County get a new trial after claiming he didn't get a fair shake? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. All Rights Reserved. The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . ALLEGAN Judge Roberts Kengis took over supervision of the 48th Circuit Court on Jan. 1 as chief judge after he was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to replace Judge Margaret. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation., Bakker then wrote: One more question..this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?, Koch replied a few minutes later: Yes, because the prior (assistant prosecuting attorney) assigned to the case did not catch that it was missed nor did anyone else who touched the file., Lynch said that the ex parte communication, or communication with only one side, showed bias and violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker (MLive File Photo)Emil Lippe | MLive.com. The defense has not pointed to any ruling showing the judge to be compromised or biased, she said. http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. More:Man wins new trial over email exchange between judge, prosecutor, More:Judges recused from hearing mans request for new trial, More:Allegan man says judge, prosecutor denied him a fair trial. As the presiding officer of the court, a chief judge shall: (a) call and preside over meetings of the court; (b) appoint committees of the court; (c) initiate policies concerning the courts internal operations and its position on external matters affecting the court; (d) meet regularly with all chief judges.. Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. Download the WZZM 13 app now. Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? Have a news tip? Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. In Wednesday's announcement, the state Supreme Court said it would hear the appeal, but would limit the scope to the ex parte communications between Bakker and Koch, whether they were administrative in nature and whether Loew is entitled to a new trial. Roberts Kengis Circuit Court Judge at Allegan County Government Plainwell, Michigan, United States 781 followers 500+ connections Join to connect Allegan County Government Wayne State. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. The incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. The communications provided nothing of any tactical use to the prosecution, even if Defendant had been able to show Ms. Jipp was aware of them. She noted that he has already conducted trials in his home county during the pandemic, which should be a help as Cass County starts holding them. In a process run by a county clerk, the candidates choose slips of paper from a box that say either "elected" or "not elected".[2]. After serving as the elected prosecuting attorney for the county, Kengis appointment to the circuit court occurred in March of 2018 by then Governor Rick Snyder when Judge Kevin Cronin resigned. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. Loew currently is free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. In the majority opinion, Murray wrote that while the appeals court recognized the communications were ex parte, such communications "between a sitting judge and a prosecutor do not warrant a new trial so long as the communications focus on administrative or procedural (i.e. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. Lynch responded: Thats not the point. Michigan Court of Appeals if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; .courts-container { background-color:#fcfcfc; width:100%; border:1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align:center;clear:both; } After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. If there are not more than twice the amount of candidates than there are persons to be elected, the race will not appear on the primary election ballot, but only on the general election ballot. Ex parte translates from Latin to mean out of the party; in the context of the legal system, it is communication about a case between a judge and one sides attorney that occurs without the other partys counsel present. This case has languished in the system for a few years and our victims deserve to have the ability to go on with their life. Briefs in the case are expected to be filed within the coming months, at which point oral arguments will be scheduled. He was sentenced last November to at least 20 years in prison. The defense said the emails show misconduct. I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. Gov. The point is she tried. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. *Not location specific. Soon after election, she was appointed as chief judge, a position she has held for 11 years. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. 57th District Court Honorable Joseph S . The two then exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. *Please call to verify. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". non-substantive) matters.". Kengis said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned next to a judge in Allegan Countys 57th District Court. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. "The recommendation was timely as Chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting scheduling is over one hundred. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. 48th Judicial Circuit Court All rights reserved. 3283 122nd Ave. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Loew's attorney, Heath Lynch, argued it's impossible to know whether Koch shared the communications with Jipp and whether trial strategy was altered due to what Bakker wrote in the emails. Let us know here, 57th District Court Allegan County113 Chestnut Street0.0 mile away, Allegan County Probate Court2243 33rd Street2.2 miles away, 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren CountyCourthouse - Second Floor, 212 East Paw Paw Street12.6 miles away, 2023 Everything-Bytes | Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. Koch a 1992 graduate of Michigan State received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999. "Since Judge Kengis was appointed, Judge Bakker and Judge Kengis have worked together on chief duties, and the two plan on continuing this practice moving forward," Brink wrote in an email. The case likely will be heard in 2023. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The sentences run concurrently. "Maybe it wasn't the case, but it creates the appearance of coaching, or at least flagging, 'This is something you're going to need to address,' and that's my worry," Baillargeon said. Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. Judge Kengis used previous testimony and evidence to show that Field committed perjury when he testified that he had not had sex with the victim, that he had held himself out as a licensed health practitioner when he wasnt, presented a false insurance claim for services rendered to another person, possessed marijuana in his home in 2017 and attempted to commit indecent exposure against the victim. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population as well as mayoral, city council, and district attorney election coverage in state capitals outside of the 100 largest cities. The Allegan County decisions included the new appointment of the Honorable Roberts A. Kengis as chief justice of the 48 th Circuit Court, and the chief judge reappointment of the Honorable Michael L. Buck to the Allegan County Probate Court and the Honorable Joseph S. Skocelas to the 57 th District Court. In the motion for a new trial, the Defense team did not allege nor did the Judge cite any actual bias or impact on the integrity of the trial based on those communications.. The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our local coverage. All rights reserved. The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. Generally, ex parte communications between a judge and only one party in a legal matter are prohibited by ethics codes for judges and attorneys because they can give an unfair advantage to one side in a case. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore?. Services The Circuit Court Family Division provides the following services: Delinquency Proceedings Casework services -- Community Probation and Juvenile Diversion Protective Proceedings Guardianship of minors who are already under Family Court jurisdiction In August 2019, Loew was convicted by a jury of multiple rapes of a relative of his wife, a girl who was 13 at the time of the first assault. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. Koch and her husband married in 1993. The emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, who was challenging County Prosecutor Myrene Koch's re-election bid in summer 2020. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. Bowman strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle,in her home. In November 2020, Allegan District Court JudgeWilliam Baillargeon's granted Loew'smotion for a new trial, saying such one-sided communications, called ex parte communications, between the judge and the prosecutor gave the appearance of impropriety. The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service. "Whenever an issue arises or a policy decision needs to be made, Judge Bakker and Judge Kengis always discuss the matter prior to the chief making the final decision.". Allegan County, All civil cases at law over $300., Civil cases in equity., Proceedings in habeas corpus., Felonies and misdemeanors, Proceedings in quo warranto., Prohibition and certiorari cases., Appeals from magistrate court, municipal court, and administrative agenc, Phone Number: 269-673-0300 Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. CASSOPOLIS A former Southwestern Michigan College instructor accused of having improper relations with a student he was counseling has accepted a plea deal just days before his trial was to start. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Villar obtained emails sent during Loews case between Koch and Bakker in which Bakker wrote to Koch regarding the police: (T)his trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. ALLEGAN Judge Roberts Kengis took over supervision of the 48th Circuit Court on Jan. 1 as chief judge after he was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to replace Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker in the role. Villar lost the primary election in August and a recount of votes conducted last week affirmed that Koch had won re-election by 19 votes. Judge Kengis relied on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. ALLEGAN The judge assigned to oversee the trial of Dennis Bowman,accused of the murder of his adopted daughter Aundria 30 years ago, has recused himself because of his past involvement in the caseas a prosecutor. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Assistant Allegan County Prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness. Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial, Man wins new trial over email exchange between judge, prosecutor, Judges recused from hearing mans request for new trial, Allegan man says judge, prosecutor denied him a fair trial, Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. Community Volunteer . Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore? Michigan Circuit Court In this case, she was comfortable with the agreement. Loews attorneys are alleging prosecutorial misconduct occurred based on the emails, which they say they learned of in June. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests, Annual Reports and State of the County Report. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. Penny Brown . Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). He was convicted of five counts of criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar accused his opponent, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. County Clerk, Judge, or Other Info: Staff: George R. Corsiglia (Chief Judge), William A. Baillargeon Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Additional: Frederick Anderson (Prosecuting Attorney), Margaret Zuzich Bakker (Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney); Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys: Douglas E. Ketchum, Roberts A. Kengis, Steven J. Lanting, Myrene K. Koch, Daniel Norbeck, Judy H Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. 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