61st District Court

No Confidence in the 61st District Court System



During this eviction process, in 2014, the judge had us return to Grand Rapids (2) times in a 90 day period, over 500 miles each way for proceedings, merely a process designed to keep him working and others working, the so called trial, lasted all of 16 minutes.



We observed (1) landlord taking at least (6) different tenants to court the first time we were there, all of the tenants stated their apartments are roach infested, the judge never said anything about a city inspection or closing down the roach trap, this is exploitation of the poor; the courts have the power to do more. He doesn’t care, Grand Rapids City doesn’t’ care.



The same judge, would not allow our property manager to represent us, he said that he didn't care how far we had to drive, that's not my problem rudely, he is servant of the people, and should talk with respect when speaking to clients. Then, allows the tenant to continue to stay in properties without paying rent for (5) months, knowing they have no means to pay back. This then requires another trip to court for the us to file judgments and liens and more money for the court to process the same requests at another level.



The worst part is the judge doesn’t read any of the many documents /forms which we had to fill out to the letter, or risk losing the case, and pay for to have submitted. We presented documentation showing domestic violence in the home to the mother, (1) report states that both of the tenant eyes were swollen shut while she spoke with the officer in front of her children. In fact, the judge was not aware the tenant was our daughter for the 15 minutes in the 1st hearing, which was clearly stated in documentation. In total there were 15 incident reports we paid for and presented, but the court didn’t consider them, probably never saw them, still allowing her stay in the home with her abuser.



Domestic abuse in this city is rampant, young girls are simply on their own in Grand Rapids, getting the crap kicked out them, all such reports should be reported to social services and charges filed against the attacker in a court and followed through, especially when a welfare recipient is involved with kids. But in Grand Rapids, it’s allowed to continue over and over.



Damages sustained to home were in access of $8k to our 12 yr. home. From day one, when calling the 61st district court to inquire about court forms, no one seems to know the forms. You are told to go the website to get the form, there multiple forms some with an extension, it’s confusing, and the clerk always leave the off the exact form number or ext. We were told to submit and make a note that we asking for damages at the top of the form and a note explaining that damagers. Later, told that was incorrect after submitting.



It instills frustration; being told your time to submit your damages is up as of Oct 31. How is that, when the tenant was given to Nov 3, to be out of the home and wasn’t until weeks later. We’ve been directed to use and mailed incorrect forms, directed to 61st dist. Legal Services, at 616-214-3880 they don’t bother to return a calls.



We will take the losses of over $4k. and not invest another penny in this poorly ran system in our search for justice, therefore, please close this case.









Stan and Cora Holmes