By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
I have nothing against Ottawa County 58th District Court Chief Judge Brad Knoll---on the contrary, I find him to be an exemplary jurist for the most part.
Knoll serves on the Michigan Community Corrections Board, and is passionate about community mental health, affordable housing, as well as addiction recovery. His leadership in creating and running Ottawa County's Sobriety Court program has been stellar.
.jpg)
In both my personal experience, stories I have heard from many others, as well as from coverage in the media over the years, Knoll seems to have been a fair, hard-working Judge for 2 decades.
We certainly have some disagreements when it comes to President Trump and U of M football, but those issues aren't relevant here.
I don't take any joy in his arrest for domestic violence, especially so close to Christmas---I broke the story Tuesday night after it had been covered up across 3 counties over the course of 5 days because I emphatically believe the public has a right to know when one of their most powerful elected leaders faces such serious allegations.
Unfortunately, Judge Knoll has said he will remain on the bench while his criminal case proceeds, except for domestic violence cases.
Knoll is fully entitled to the presumption of innocence, as any defendant in America should be---and I know firsthand his inclination to resist pressure to step aside during a controversy.
However, because of his unique position as not only a Judge in the Holland branch, but also as the Chief Judge running the entire Ottawa County 58th District Court, he should take a leave of absence while his criminal case is ongoing.
Taking a leave shows Knoll takes the case seriously, allows him to focus on his defense, and would keep the Michigan Supreme Court from intervening and suspending him, a terrible way to close a storied judicial career. (A suspension could come regardless, at the conclusion of the case, depending on how the facts play out.)
Judge Knoll's docket could then be temporarily taken over by a retired, "visiting" Judge appointed by the State Court Administrative Office, someone like former Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge Ed Post, or Judge Susan Jonas, who sat in the room next to Knoll in the District Court's Holland branch for nearly 2 decades.
 |
| Knoll, with Judge Susan Jonas |
Knoll could then return to the bench after the conclusion of his criminal case, and subsequently be a great example to the Defendants appearing in his court when it comes to showing that anyone can make a bad mistake, be held accountable for their actions under the law, then move on with their life---even a Judge.
____________________________________________
Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
.jpg)
