Gogebic courts receive high marks

BESSEMER — The public continues to be satisfied with Gogebic County’s court system, awarding it high marks for the fifth year in a row in a survey regarding user experience.

“Our courts serve the people, so their views are critically important in helping us make decisions on how to improve court operations,” Chief Judge Michael Pope said in a news release. “I am very proud of the hard work put in by our teams in all of our courts in Gogebic County, and we are committed to being even more efficient and focused on improving service to the public.”

The survey was part of a statewide effort and asked court users such as parties to cases, attorneys and jurors whether the courts were accessible, timely, fair and how they were treated.

More than 90 percent of users said they were: treated with respect, the judge or magistrate handled their case fairly, able to get their business done in a reasonable amount of time and understood the proceedings as they left the courts.

“We use the data from this survey to make management decisions that help better serve the public,” Court Administrator Susan Mitchem said in the release. “Our goal is for every person who comes through the courthouse doors to be satisfied and treated fairly.”

The public opinion initiative of the Michigan Supreme Court and State Court Administrative Office has included more than 120,000 surveys throughout the state between 2013 and 2018.

Visit courts.mi.gov for more information.

—Richard Jenkins