The 50th Circuit Courtroom will open its doors at 6 p.m., on Thursday, April 19, 2018, for Chippewa County's Third Annual Court Night. Judges Eric Blubaugh and James Lambros will host the event with other state and tribal officials, including Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court Chief Judge Jocelyn Fabry, Chippewa County Prosecutor Rob Stratton, Chippewa County Public Defender Jennifer France and Friend of the Court Elizabeth Chambers. Topics of discussion will include the legal consequences of teen drinking and furnishing drugs and alcohol to minors; illegal prescription drug use and sales; and the destructive effects of opiate addiction on our community. Representatives will be on hand from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan Department of Corrections Probation/Parole, the Department of Health and Human Services and Juvenile Court Probation.

The Sault Tribe’s Specialty Court Coordinator, Pat McKelvie, will also speak about sobriety and 12-step programs for young people.

Chippewa County Families Against Narcotics (FAN) is helping to sponsor the event, and will be there with information about substance use disorders, recovery, and sober living. FAN will also provide light refreshments and hold drawings for free shirts and gift cards throughout the night.

Chippewa County FAN’s chapter president, Joe Claxton, said that he “hopes this event will start a continuing dialogue within families about how to deal with some very complicated issues and how they can affect the family and our community. Our chapter is made up of families and loved ones that have been shaken by the abuse of opiates and other drugs. We want to start a process of healing and prevention.”

Some of the goals of Court Night are to help families understand the court system—from criminal cases to family court proceedings—and to make it clear that bad decisions negatively affect the offender and their families.

Everyone is welcome. Families are strongly encouraged to attend with their middle and high school-aged children.

WHAT: Chippewa County Court Night
WHEN: Thursday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Chippewa County Courthouse, in the courtroom on the 2nd floor (Please enter through the east basement entrance)

For additional information, please contact Tina Ojala, 50th Circuit Court Administrator, at 906‑635‑6338.