Each year, the Kalamazoo County Courts release an annual report detailing the operations, caseloads, innovations, and challenges across the judicial system.
I commend them for their transparency, demonstrating their strong commitment to informing taxpayers and citizens of the goings on in their courts.
The 2023 Annual Report offers more than just numbers; it provides a window into how justice functions in the community and where reform is still desperately needed.
A System Under Strain
According to the report, Kalamazoo’s court system handled tens of thousands of cases across circuit, probate, and district courts.
While this level of activity shows a functioning justice system on the surface, the sheer volume also points to larger societal issues, such as over-policing, limited diversion programs, and a lack of upstream support services that could prevent court involvement in the first place.
Key Takeaways from the 2023 Report
Though Kalamazoo does over some diversion court options, there is room for improvement and expansion.
- High Volume of Criminal Cases: In 2023, the Circuit Court continued to see a large share of felony criminal filings. This trend reinforces what many advocates have warned for years, that mass incarceration begins with local charging practices, not just federal law.
- Mental Health Court Expansion: The Kalamazoo County Mental Health Recovery Court showed continued promise, helping to divert individuals with serious mental health conditions from incarceration. Still, its capacity remains limited compared to the number of people who could benefit.
- Probation and Compliance Challenges: Probation services supervised thousands of individuals, yet compliance violations and revocations were frequent. This raises ongoing concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of probation as a tool for rehabilitation versus punishment.
- Family and Juvenile Matters: Family Court dealt with more than 3,000 cases, including neglect, abuse, and custody disputes. Meanwhile, juvenile court referrals dropped slightly, perhaps due to prevention strategies, though disparities remain in who ends up system-involved.
Something notably missing, is the presence of a Veteran’s Court. When veterans become systems-involved it’s typically due to service-related issues. Diverting veterans allows the focus to shift from punishment to rehabilitation.
Questionable Funding Practices
The legal system as a whole typically targets the impoverished and people of color, so there are some statistics that immediately stand out in the 2023 Report:
- Tax Garnishments. Using the Michigan Income Tax System, Kalamazoo issued 1,400 writs for garnishment and took in $145,824.38
- Inmate Funds. Many families struggle to make sure their loved ones have the things they need while incarcerated, and will fund their commissary accounts accordingly. Much like Michigan DOC, Kalamazoo too intercepts these accounts if they surpass a certain amount. And in 2023, the District Court took $22,554.19 from these funds.
Offering Resources and Solutions
Thankfully, Kalamazoo County does provide resources for their probationers, such as referrals to mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as local agency referrals. They also have an onsite food pantry, serving anyone who is attending court or on probation.
In addition to mental health court, they also offer eviction diversion, and mediation services, which when properly utilized, can prevent costly court proceedings entirely.
Technology and Access
The courts report improvements in technology and remote hearing capabilities, changes undoubtedly accelerated by the pandemic. While virtual access can increase convenience, it can also exacerbate inequalities for individuals without stable internet, private space, or technological literacy.
Where We Go From Here
The Kalamazoo County Courts deserve recognition for transparency in publishing this report. However, data transparency is only the first step.
The community must ask:
- Who is entering the system and why?
- Are alternatives to incarceration being fully utilized?
- How are outcomes measured for racial fairness, economic impact, and public health?
As we move forward, justice must not only be efficient; it must also be equitable, restorative, and rooted in community values. Reports like this one provide the accountability metrics we need to keep pushing for change.
