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Former Judges
Honorable Robert Crary, Jr.
13th District Court: 1969- 1985, 12th District Court: 1986-1990
The Honorable Robert Crary was elected by the people of the City of Jackson to the 13th District Court in 1968 along with Judge Theodore Smith. Judge Crary assumed the district court bench January 1, 1969 and served until his retirement December 31, 1990. Judge Crary passed away June, 25, 1995.
Honorable Theodore Smith
13th District Court: 1969
The Honorable Theodore Smith was a municipal judge for the City of Jackson when the legislature created the district court system in 1968. Judge Smith was elected a 13th District Court Judge, along with Judge Robert Crary, in the general election of 1968. Judge Smith's assumed the district court bench January 1, 1969 and passed away shortly thereafter, March 22, 1969.
Honorable Michael Baughman
13th District Court: 1969
The Honorable Michael Baughman was appointed by Republican Governor William Milliken to succeed the Honorable Theodore Smith. Judge Baughman resigned after 4 months on the bench to return to private practice.
Honorable Joseph McCullom
13th District Court: 1969-1975
The Honorable Joseph McCullom was appointed to the bench in 1969 by Republican Governor William Milliken to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable Michael Baughman. Judge McCollum served until December 31, 1976. He was defeated in the general election of 1976 by James M. Justin, who had been serving as chief assistant attorney in the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.
Honorable David McGarvey
12th District Court: 1969-1975
The Honorable David McGarvey was elected to the bench in 1968. Judge McGarvey was elected to the bench in the general election of 1968 along with the Honorable Lysle G. Hall. Judge McGarvey took the bench January 1, 1969 and served for one term before he resigned to return to private practice in 1976. Judge McGarvey passed away April 19, 1995.
H
onorable Lysle G. Hall
12th District Court: 1969-2004
The Honorable Lysle G. Hall was elected to the bench in 1968 along with Honorable David McGarvey. Judge Hall took the bench January 1, 1969 and served 6 terms until state law prevented him from running again in 2004. After his retirement from the bench, Judge Hall started the Jackson Legal law firm where he continued until 2012. Judge Hall passed away June 18, 2014.
Honorable Robert Biewend
12th District Court: 1976-1988
The Honorable Robert Biewend was appointed to the bench by Republican Governor William Milliken to succeed the Honorable David McGarvey. Judge Biewend resigned in 1988 due to health reasons. Judge Biewend passed away May 12, 1988.
Honorable Carlene G. Lefere (Walz)
12th District Court: 1991-2002
The Honorable Carlene Lefere (Walz) was elected in the general election of 1990 to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Honorable Robert Crary from the bench. At the time of the election, Judge Lefere had been serving as an assistant city attorney for the City of Jackson. Judge Lefere took the bench January 1, 1991 and served two terms until her retirement on December 31, 2001. Judge Lefere served as chief judge pro tem during her tenure as a district court judge. Judge Lefere is the only female to serve on the district court bench in Jackson County.
Honorable Charles Falahee, Jr.
12th District Court 1988-2007
The Honorable Charles Falahee, Jr. was appointed to the bench in 1988 by Governor James Blanchard. Judge Falahee was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Biewend. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Falahee was a practicing attorney, specializing in civil law (1977-1988). Judge Falahee was elected to the bench in 1990 and re-elected to serve two additional terms (1996 and 2002). Judge Falahee retired from the bench (April 30, 2007), prior to the expiration of his term. Judge Falahee served as chief judge of the court from 1991 to 2005.
Honorable James M. Justin
13th District Court 1976-1985; 12th District Court 1986-2012
The Honorable James Justin defeated Judge McCollum in the City of Jackson general election of 1976. At the time of the election, Judge Justin had been serving as the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. After the 13th District Court was abolished, Judge Justin assumed the 12th District Court bench January 1, 1986. He was re-elected five times until his removal by the Supreme Court in 2012. Judge Justin served as chief judge pro tem during his tenure as a district court judge.
Honorable R. Darryl Mazur
12th District Court 2002-2020
The Honorable R. Darryl Mazur was elected to the 12th District Court in 2002. Judge Mazur was reelected in 2008 and 2014, and served until his retirement December 31, 2020.
Honorable Joseph S. Filip
12th District Court 2004-2021
The Honorable Joseph S. Filip was elected to the 12th District Court in 2004. Judge Filip was reelected in 2010 and 2016, and served until his retirement December 31, 2021
