Page 11 - The Wayne Dispatch

Keeping up in the court

By Carolyn Marnon the Northville Police Chief) and Chief
Even while COVID rages on in the Jason Wright (who is currently Van
world, the 29th District Court and Buren Township Police Chief), asked
Judge Breeda O’Leary continue their Judge O’Leary to administer the
duties to administer justice in Wayne. oaths of office for their respective
On December 8, 2020, Judge Boards. One Chief was the incoming
O’Leary was sworn in as the 29th President of an Executive Board
District Court Judge after winning while the other was the outgoing
the November election. A friend and President.
former colleague, Donald Knapp, Since being elected, O’Leary has
was getting sworn in by Michigan had to attend a judicial training sem-
Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra. inar. Traditionally conducted in
He invited O’Leary to join him. She Lansing and lasting a week, the train-
graciously accepted. “A big thanks ing occurred via Zoom this year. The
goes out to Justice Zahra for taking seminar covers the most common
the time to administer my oath,” said areas of law that a judge will en-
O’Leary. “It was an honor to be counter. “I enjoyed learning the cre-
sworn in as the City of Wayne’s ative ways that Zoom is being used Wayne's 29th District Court Judge Breeda O'Leary administers the oath of office to
Judge by a member of our state’s in the judicial process to become
highest Court.” more efficient and the requirements the Southeastern Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.
In December 2020 and January that must be satisfied when a pro- ing and while on probation. I pre- to review and approve or deny
2021, Judge O’Leary was asked to ceeding is conducted via Zoom.” side over all hearings on civil infrac- search warrants requested by law en-
administer the oaths of office to “As Wayne’s District Judge, my tions tickets written in the City of forcement. Finally, as you have seen,
three organizations: Wayne County duties include presiding over all Civil Wayne. I handle all felony cases com- I can administer oaths of office to
Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI cases filed in our court, which in- mitted in the City of Wayne from ar- elected officials and conduct mar-
National Training Academy, Michi- clude small claims, landlord/tenant, raignment through the preliminary riage ceremonies for residents.”
gan Chapter and Southeastern Michi- and general civil cases up to exam. I also preside over the 29th “As the newly elected judge for the
gan Association of Chiefs of Police. $25,000. I also preside over all mis- District Court’s Regional Behavioral City of Wayne, I look forward to find-
Two former Wayne Police chiefs, demeanor cases committed in the Treatment Court Program. I am on ing creative ways to continue serving
Chief Alan Maciag (who is currently City of Wayne from arrest to sentenc- call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the community at our court.”

The Wayne Dispatch · February 2021 · 11