Friend of the Court reports slight caseload decline, fewer hearings and bench warrants in 2024
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Summary
The Friend of the Court reported a modest decrease in caseload and fewer investigations, hearings and bench warrants in 2024 compared with 2023; officials offered the annual statistics to commissioners and answered questions.
Eagle Jones, Friend of the Court for Lapeer County, presented annual statistics to the Board of Commissioners showing a modest decline in caseload and fewer hearings and bench warrants in 2024 compared with 2023.
Jones said the caseload was 4,095 in 2023 and 4,014 in 2024, a reduction of about 81 cases. Jones reported the office distributed $12,847,499 in 2023 and said the 2024 distribution was $115,325 less than the 2023 total. The office conducted 109 investigations in 2023 and 94 in 2024 (15 fewer). The referee conducted 1,101 hearings in 2023 and 1,068 in 2024 (33 fewer). Bench warrants issued were 508 in 2023 and 435 in 2024 (73 fewer).
Jones offered to answer questions and said he would provide additional detail if commissioners had any follow‑ups.
Why it matters: Friend of the Court caseload and enforcement activity are indicators for family‑court workload and county service needs. The figures are used for budgeting, staffing and case management planning.
Ending: Commissioners thanked Jones for the report; no action was required beyond receipt of the statistics.