About the 18th District Court
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THE COURT:
The 18th District Court is one of the busiest courts in a vast network of Michigan trial courts. In 2006, the 18th District Court had a total case load of approximately 85,000 cases.
The judges at the 18th District Court have the authority to hear misdemeanor cases (where the maximum possible sentence is one year in jail) and civil cases in which damages claimed do not exceed $25,000. The 18th District Court also handles civil infractions (tickets) which carry monetary penalties and points on your driving record. In addition, the Court has jurisdiction over landlord-tenant disputes and small claims (disputes with damages up to $3,000).
Whether you passed by the courthouse or have been a recent visitor, you will have noticed that construction of a much-needed addition to the Court is complete. The new configuration has relieved some of the lines and congestion that for many years was experienced by those having business at the Court.
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THE BENCH
HONORABLE SANDRA FERENCE CICIRELLI,
Chief Judge
Judge Sandra Ference Cicirelli has served as Judge of the 18th District Court since January, 2007. Judge Cicirelli was elected to the bench in November 2006. Judge Cicirelli took the bench after serving the citizens of Westland as their Mayor for five years. She previously served the community as a member of the Westland City Council for twelve years. Prior to becoming Judge and Mayor she practiced law with her brothers and sisters at the firm of Ference, Ference, and Cicirelli P.C. She has been active in the community through various civic groups, including First Step, Women of Westland, and other organizations. She has received the Athena Award for outstanding contributions to the community.
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HONORABLE MARK A. McCONNELL,
District Judge
Judge Mark McConnell was elected in 2008 to serve his first six year term in the 18th District Court. Prior to taking the bench, Judge McConnell was an associate attorney with Angelo A. Plakas and Associates, P.C., since 1995 where he was also an Assistant Westland City Attorney and Prosecutor in the 18th District Court. Prior to that he was a research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals for two years.
Judge McConnell received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Bowling Green State University, with a Minor in History. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Detroit School of law, cum laude. While in law school, he was the Assistant Student Editor and Articles Editor for the Michigan Business Law Journal. He was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award for having the highest grade in Constitutional Law and Trial Practice. He was listed in the 1992 publication, Who’s Who in American Law Students.
Judge McConnell is very active in our community. He is a past president of the Westland Rotary Club and S.P.A.R.K. (Sports, Parks and Recreation for Kids) a nonprofit organization designed to raise revenues for recreational opportunities for children in the City of Westland. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Westland Chamber of Commerce, the Westland Rotary Club, and the Westland Police Department Local Block Grant Advisory Board. He is currently a board member of the Westland Youth Assistance Advisory Board and the Wayne Westland Federal Credit Union.
Judge McConnell organized the City Attorney's Office, Law Day Essay Contest for the Wayne Westland Community Schools from 1996 to 2008, served as a presenter for the Wayne Westland Junior Miss Pageant, was a Judge at the 2006 and 2007 Ms. Westland Pageant, and was recognized for assisting the Westland Festival Committee's presentation of the Vietnam Moving Wall in 2006. He has been a long time supporter of the Westland Community Foundation, which provides financial assistance to underprivileged children in the community through the Westland Salvation Army, as well as college scholarships to high school seniors.
For his service to the community, Judge McConnell was named Westland’s First Citizen in 2007 by the Observer and Eccentric newspaper.
Judge McConnell, his wife, Sherry and their daughter’s Allison and Grace can regularly be seen at events around the community.
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