Both the US Constitution and our Michigan Constitution protect the right of the people “to petition the government.” When we think about exercising this right, we might think of town hall meetings where community members make their views known to local elected officials on issues ranging from zoning decisions to building new schools. We also might think of legislative hearings where advocates testify for legislative changes to help make neighborhoods safer or improve the quality of our roads.

The judicial branch of government, however, is different. The public can’t petition to affect the outcome of a case before the court; judges and juries make those decisions based on the established law and the evidence provided in court. But, the public can help shape changes that affect the administration of justice by providing input to the Michigan Judicial Council (MJC) as it develops strategic priorities for our justice system.

Megan K. Cavanagh is chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

The MJC, created by an order of the Michigan Supreme Court (MSC) in 2021, provides a way for the public, at a grassroots level, to have their voices heard. The MJC is charged with making recommendations to the Supreme Court on matters pertinent to the administration of justice, including development of a strategic agenda for the judicial branch and suggesting proposals that would enhance the work of all courts. The MJC includes a broad representation of justice system stakeholders, as well as members of the public, devoted to making recommendations to help our courts be more accessible, more transparent, more collaborativ, and more trusted. 

The MJC is currently developing a strategic plan for the next three years. The 2026-29 Strategic Agenda will update the existing strategy and propose tackling questions such as:

  • Are there ways to improve the way courts are funded?
  • How can we make courts more welcoming and operations more transparent?
  • Can we make navigating the court system easier and less costly?
  • How can courts attract and keep talented employees?
  • Can we strengthen connections between courts and the communities they serve to improve public trust and understanding?
  • How can courts work to ensure fairness and accountability to strengthen public trust?

The public will have the opportunity to address these and other questions at an upcoming online MJC meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16. This meeting is a wonderful opportunity to affirm for any member of the public that their opinions and experiences are valuable and will help determine the future direction of the judicial branch. Those interested are invited to participate in the virtual MJC meeting to share feedback in real time; they must complete and submit this form by Sept. 15. (There is no deadline to submit written feedback.) 

In addition to the work of the MJC, there are other ways for the public to play a role in improving the administration of justice. For example, individuals can serve on various advisory committees that reserve spots for members of the public. The Court also holds periodic public hearings at which the public can comment on proposed court rule changes. 

Finally, members of the Court go on the road to hear directly from the public regarding important issues. For example, Justice Kyra Bolden and I traveled all across the state to collect public comment on how to improve legal representation for children and families involved in child protective cases. Families who have struggled to navigate the system told moving stories about their experiences and provided vital input regarding what needs to be done to help the system work better for both parents and children.

The judiciary functions best when judges and court administrators are informed by your views and experiences. That’s why hearing from the people we serve is so important. 

After all, while you can’t invite yourself to serve on a jury, you can take the time to provide input to the Michigan Judicial Council. Along with my colleagues, we want to hear your voices, understand better how court operations affect your lives, and use your experiences to help courts achieve justice for all.

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