Access to the courts

The 8th Circuit Court is taking another step into the age of technology. In order to post information and to improve access to the court, Judge David Hoort announces that he will begin posting information relating to the circuit court at http://www.blogger.com/. According to Judge Hoort, although ethical rules prohibit judges from discussing pending or impending proceedings, this will be an opportunity for the court to explain for public information the procedures of the court and inform the public of possible administrative or substantive changes in the law. The thought being that in this day of ever-changing technology and desire for transparency, courts have not only an interest, but arguably a responsibility to make information relating to the court accessible to the public.


When reasonably possible, Judge Hoort’s intention is to provide information about recent appellate decisions, legislation affecting the courts and changes or new court rules relating to court procedures. Hopefully, with a corresponding benefit of accuracy in recognition of information otherwise being disbursed on the internet or via second hand sources. Obviously, this will not always be a regular event or in competition with the ‘rich and famous’ as the in court obligations related to the day to day judicial activities of the court take priority.

Judge Hoort presently is a co-chair for the State Bar of Michigan Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice Committee, and serves on the State Bar’s Judicial Cross Roads Task Force Access to Justice Committee and Michigan Public Defense Work Group, and is a liaison to the SBM Judicial Cross Roads Technology and Criminal Law Section Committees. He is also a member of the Ionia County Leadership Academy, Montcalm County Coordinated Response to Domestic Violence, and a VITA volunteer tax preparer for the Montcalm/Ionia Financial Awareness Alliance.