Robert P. Coutts
Robert P. Coutts, 13200 Lenmoore, Van Buren Township is running for a six-year term as a judge on the 34th District Court.
He is married to Kimberley Coutts and has lived in the court district for 25 years.
Coutts, 62, is a trial attorney and attended the University of Toledo College of Law.
He has run for office before, and was elected and served on the Van Buren School Board, 2003-2007. He ran for 34th District Judge in 2004 and 2020.
He belonged to the Belleville Rotary in 2001-2022, Belleville Moose, Moose member 2002 to present, Huron Valley Conservation Club 2002-2014, legal counsel to the Belleville National Strawberry Festival from 2004 to 2023.
His hobbies are small engine repair / maintenance and being a novice bird watcher.
When asked why he is running for this office, he replied: “I have a strong desire to make long-term changes for social justice. With my 30+ years of diverse trial experience, I feel I can make a difference. I want to help protect you and your family.”
He was asked what he thinks are the most pressing issues in our court and what should be done about them. He answered:
“On matters that I would be able to control: being punctual, do not make people wait. Some judges forget that the district court is a court of the people. The court works for the parties and the communities. Docket Management: stagger the docket throughout the day. There is no need to have parties all appear at 9 a.m. and wait around to 11:30 a.m. to have their case heard.”
Todd L. Barron
Todd L. Barron, 36870 Grant St., Romulus, has lived in the 34th District Court district for three years. Barron, 54, and his wife Jeanine have three children, Lydia, Ethan, and Jason.
He is an attorney with a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law.
He ran unsuccessfuly for 25th District Court Judge in 2014.
Barron belongs to the Downriver Bar Association and is incoming president, the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Romulus.
His hobbies include enjoying concerts and live music, motorcycle riding, and golf.
“My candidacy is deeply personal, rooted in a family history that spans over a century in Romulus and Huron Township,” he said. “My family and I are active with many local causes, fund raising, and supporting our neighbors. I feel not just a professional obligation but a heartfelt commitment to the well-being of our community. My candidacy is driven by a genuine desire to continue serving and making a positive impact for all residents. Additionally, I am honored to be the incoming president of the Downriver Bar Association, reflecting the respect I have earned from my peers in the legal community.”
When asked what he thinks are the most pressing issues in this court and what should be done about them, he said, “The most pressing issues in our court revolve around adapting to new technology and enhancing access to justice. The shift to remote hearings has improved accessibility but also presents challenges in ensuring equitable access for all.
“We need to fully integrate a hybrid model of both in-person and virtual proceedings to increase efficiency and inclusivity. Investing in robus digital infrastructure and training for staff is crucial. Additionally, simplifying online processes and expanding public awareness of virtual court resources will help break down barriers and ensure fair access to justice for everyone.”
Teresa Patton
Teresa Patton, 13712 Pond Bluff Dr., Van Buren Township, has been an attorney for 24 years. She is married to Lamont and their children are Andre’a, Lamont, Amari, Aidan, and Austin. They have lived in the 34th District Court area for two years.
Patton, 49, ran for 22nd District Court Judge in 2012.
She was a Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for 10 years and then started her own law practice. In her private practice she handled criminal, family, probate, land-lord tenant, and civil matters.
She currently is the director of a regional office that administers the indigent defense programs for 20 of Wayne County’s 24 third-class district and municipal courts including 34th District Court. The program provides appointed attorneys and defense resources for those in need of public defense.
“I have been the indigent defense administrator for 34th District Court for the past 5 years,” she said. “Over the course of the last approximately 20 years I have served as the state prosecutor, a court appointed attorney, and now the indigent defense administrator for 34th District Court.”
She also is an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department at Wayne County Community College and a student instructor in the Political Science Department at Wayne State University.
In 1996, she earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the UofM Flint (Angell Scholar, Maize and Blue Distinguished Scholarship Recipient). In 2000, she earned a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University. Currently, she is an ABD (all but dissertation) PhD student, in Political Science at Wayne State University.
In July 2024 she was voted at the second-highest possible rating of “Well Qualified” by the Detroit Bar Association Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee as a candidate for judge at the 34th District Court. “Outstanding” is the top rating.
She is a member of the Black Women Lawyer’s Association, member of the National Association of Public Defenders,
board member of the Jeremy D. Stovall Splurge Foundation in Belleville, and member of the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce, Westland Comets Football Team field director, former Cheerleading Coach at Metro Charter Academy in Romulus, former den leader for Cub Scout Pack 9885, and previous legal director for Safe Assurance, Inc., a non-profit organization where they provided pro bono legal assistance to women and children affected by domestic abuse.
Her hobbies are singing, theatre, camping, roller skating, and yoga.
She explains why she is running for this office:
“When I learned there was going to be an open judicial seat at 34th District Court and I contemplated running to fill it, I thought long and hard about what qualities are necessary to serve as a good judge of the people. Those who appear before the court at 34th District Court are entitled to a judge who will serve with judicial virtues such as legal and personal integrity, impartiality, timeliness, attentiveness and who promotes equal access to justice for everyone with a proper temperament of fairness, courtesy and respect.
“Serving with judicial virtue and proper temperament is an important responsibility because judicial decisions have a direct impact on individuals and the business community by deciding the rights and obligations of litigants, and they can impact future actions, freedoms, possessions and finances.
“I have 24 years of diverse legal and personal experience that gives me the expertise to serve as judge with legal excellence and judicial integrity to include working as a Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, a private practitioner in various areas of the law, a public defender, a pro-bono advocate, and a public defense administrator.
“Throughout my career, I have represented my clients with zeal, legal wisdom, integrity, attentiveness, fairness, and respect. Thirty-fourth District Court is the court of my community and I have served as its state prosecutor, court appointed attorney and now its indigent defense administrator. I am running for judge because I desire to make a difference and to continue investing my legal expertise in a new capacity – as judge of the 34th District Court.”
She was asked what she thinks are the most pressing issues in this court and what should be done about them?
She replied: “Our court is tasked with adapting to the changes Covid-19 and recent criminal justice reforms have brought about. The way courts do business has changed drastically in the past few years. First, Covid-19 introduced virtual court which created issues with court logistics, technology, communication and court etiquette.
“Courts, litigants, attorneys and other stakeholders have had to figure out how to handle court business effectively and efficiently while still maintaining legal integrity. Some have had difficulty with new technology requirements such as zoom and zoom break-out rooms. Communication has also become a challenge as people had to figure out how to exchange information that would have been typically exchanged in person in the courthouse.
“Things like introducing evidence during a hearing or trial also needed attention. Lastly, virtual court proceedings have strained court etiquette since attorneys and litigants are “doing court” from the comfort of home and offices. The court has been attentive to the changes and has formulated policies and procedures to address these issues and it will be necessary for everyone to work together to implement them.
“While continuing to focus on proper application of the law and resolving disputes, the court will need to collaborate with attorneys and community stakeholders to find solutions that are best for everyone involved. Clear communication is key as well as educating court staff, attorneys, police agencies, other stakeholders and the public on their pertinent issues and the solutions. Mutual patience and respect must also be present.
“In the same vein, criminal justice reform and court rule changes have altered the way courts handle proceedings as well. The best course of action here is the same as with the Covid-19 changes –attentiveness to the changing state of reality, collaboration, adaptation by developing processes and procedures as solutions, open communication, educating all involved, and mutual patience and respect.”