There are plenty of legitimate reasons for the court process to be delayed: Late evidence. No-show witnesses. Tardy attorneys.

There are arguably more reasons for slowness in Northeast Michigan, where court districts cover multiple large counties with no interstates, meaning attorneys, plaintiffs and defendants sometimes drive long distances to get to court.

However, as reporter Julie Riddle recently informed us, the State Court Administrative Office believes our courts ought to be able to handle our workload in a timely manner, and we’re not.

Across Michigan, for example, an average of 76% of paternity and child support cases were resolved within five months. In Alpena County, only 26% of cases were concluded within that timeframe in 2019.

Sometimes, justice takes time, but all parties involved in the court system are entitled to resolution in a timely manner.

We urge all involved — judges, attorneys, defendants, plaintiffs, etc. — to do their part and, as Judge Ed Black put it, put the “pedal to the metal” and get caught up.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)