One of the most important questions voters in Farmington and Farmington Hills should be asking is not simply who is running for judge, but how that person understands the way courts are changing. In my conversation with Michael Sawicky, candidate for judge in the 47th District Court, we spent time looking at a subject that affects everyday citizens directly: technology, court access, and the practical realities of modern justice.
For many residents, a local court is their first and only encounter with the justice system. That is why accessibility matters. Sawicky explained how Zoom hearings, adopted during Covid, have made it easier for people to handle traffic matters and other proceedings without missing work, rearranging childcare, or facing unnecessary anxiety.
“We have that ability to make the court accessible, but people do not have to physically come in.”
That is a significant point for anyone trying to understand how the 47th District Court serves the public. A court should preserve decorum and due process, but it should also be realistic about the lives people are living. Parents, workers, seniors, and residents without easy transportation all benefit when the court system uses technology wisely.
Sawicky also made clear that technology is no longer optional for the judiciary.
“I think it’s crucial.”
He was speaking about the importance of judges being able to understand, embrace, and properly manage technology in the courtroom. That includes remote hearings, electronic filing, digital records, and the broader shift away from paper-based systems. As Michigan courts continue moving toward e-filing and digital case access, that experience matters.
In our discussion, Sawicky described a court system that is becoming more efficient, more secure, and more accessible, while still trying to maintain the seriousness of formal legal proceedings. He also noted that technology must be handled with judgment and common sense, especially when balancing convenience with respect for the courtroom.
Voters who want to learn more about Michael Sawicky’s background, qualifications, and campaign for judge in the 47th District Court should review his information directly and do their own research.
Visit Michael Sawicky’s campaign website
That is always the goal here on Seeing Clearly: to give viewers the opportunity to hear candidates in their own words, think critically, and follow the facts for themselves.
