Courts

Judge Thomas retires after long career, may be next Newaygo sheriff

November 19, 2014
Judge Thomas retires after long career, may be next Newaygo sheriff

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Judge Terrence R. Thomas will step down from the bench of the 27th Circuit Court  when he retires Jan. 1, but he certainly has no plans to slow down. The judge has asked to be appointed as Newaygo County Sheriff. With the upcoming retirement of Sheriff Mike Mercer, there are two years remaining…

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Judge scolds defendant for using interpreter, rejects plea, confiscates driver’s license

November 18, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — A 44-year-old Hart man facing a cocaine possession charge got an earful from 27th Circuit Court Judge Terrence R. Thomas during his pretrial hearing Monday, Nov. 17, for bringing an English interpreter with him. Thomas scolded Juan Leonel Estrada for wasting the court’s resources. “You don’t really need an interpreter,” Thomas said. “You…

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Judge sternly lectures Electric Forest attendees about drugs

November 18, 2014
Judge sternly lectures Electric Forest attendees about drugs

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Five defendants, ranging in age from 19-23, stood before 27th Circuit Court Judge Terrence R. Thomas Monday morning, Nov. 17, and each of them received a stern a lecture about the drug charges they are facing. Each defendant appeared for a pretrial stemming from drug arrests at last summer’s Electric Forest Festival in…

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Amended sentences yield jail terms

November 15, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART — Two defendants convicted of drug charges in 27th Circuit Court last September were sent to jail Monday, Nov. 10, after receiving amended sentences. – John Thomas Pinion, 29, of 589 S. Schenley St., Youngstown, Ohio, was found guilty Sept. 29 of controlled substance, possession of a non-narcotic. He received an amended sentence of…

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78th District Court sentencings

November 14, 2014
78th District Court sentencings

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor. HART – The following were sentenced Monday, Nov. 10, by 78th District Court Judge H. Kevin Drake: –      Ivy Marie Cobb, 29, of 10682 Brickyard Rd., Holton, was found guilty Nov. 10 of operating while impaired. She was sentenced to $1,105 in fines and costs; Alcohol Highway Safety Education (AHSE); and 93 days discretionary jail.…

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