57th Circuit Court

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Summary Disposition Memo

Collections Manager position added to Circuit Court

Toni Arthur

Toni Arthur has been appointed as Collections Manager for Circuit Court, effective Jan. 1, 2012. This is a part-time position which is in addition to her duties as Assignment Clerk.

The Collections Manager will work with offenders to ensure timely payment of fines, court costs, restitution and other financial assessments. Offenders with payment obligations to Circuit Court may contact the Collections Manager by telephone at (231) 348-1748 or by email to tarthur@emmetcounty.org. Circuit Court office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Offenders wishing to make payment arrangements to avoid sanctions for nonpayment should contact the Collections Manager promptly.

Judge Johnson completes specialized training

(Sept. 9, 2011)

Judge Charles W. Johnson recently completed a specialized training program in computer forensics. The training was conducted by the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) which is a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security an the United States Secret Service. NCFI is dedicated to educating judges and law enforcement personnel across the country in the field of computer forensics and digital evidence handling techniques.

During the four-day seminar, Judge Johnson learned about the essential components of computers and how data is stored and can be retrieved. Also, the training addressed cellular telephone technology and the "imaging" tools and techniques used by forensic examiners to extract evidence from computer and cellphone storage devices. The training concluded with a detailed review of statutory and case law which governs the use of subpoenas and search warrants to obtain digital evidence, and the standards for admissibility of such evidence in both civil and criminal court proceedings.

"Today computers are used in most every kind of business, and for many personal uses as well. The use of computer evidence in the courtroom is increasing, and this trend is sure to continue," said Judge Johnson. Because of this, Judge Johnson stated that he felt it was important to learn more about available technology and legal concepts applicable to digital evidence.

The training was presented in NCFI's state-of-the-art facility in Hoover, Ala. Judge Johnson was part of a class of 24 judges selected to participate. The class was composed of state court trial judges from all over the country. Judge Johnson stated: "I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity to learn skills that will help me to better understand and resolve issues that come before the court involving computer evidence. We are seeing such issues in civil litigation, and in crimes such as fraud, identity theft and child pornography. The instructors at NCFI are top-notch experts. They held our noses to the grindstone all week, so we learned a great deal."