Hundreds of Livingston County residents packed a local ballroom Feb. 29 to pay tribute to a local leader – a Democrat.
Judge Michael P. Hatty, chief judge of Livingston County’s 44th Circuit Court, is retiring from the bench as he nears age 70; lawyers, local politicians, friends, family, court employees, and more turned out to honor him.
There were the expected jokes about his well-worn Colombo-esque trench coat, the “Brighton mafia” lawyer group he shared office space with as a young lawyer, his messy office, and his old car.
Speakers showered him with the usual adjectives that excellent judges earn – fair, impartial, ethical, and more.
But the adjective that stood out to me was “kind.” He was kind to everyone, one speaker said, even those to whom it was hard to be kind.
He especially was kind to those who came before him in Livingston County’s adult drug court. Judge Hatty has presided over the drug court since 2010 and in that time, 436 people have graduated from the drug court program.
The court targets offenders with substance abuse problems, but it offers intensive attention rather than just punishment. Participants stay in the program an average of 15 months during which time they are supervised, undergo regular drug testing, receive treatment and counseling, and more. It is one of several specialty courts in Livingston County, including a juvenile drug treatment court, a mental health court, and a veterans’ treatment court.
When he presided over drug court, Judge Hatty would ask the offender before him, “Tell me something good.” They would tell him something about how their journey to sobriety was going, achievements big and little. As one participant said, “I was involved in a car accident and it wasn’t my fault!” When you are at rock bottom, progress takes many forms.
Speakers said participants have told them that Judge Hatty saved their lives through drug court.
One woman who attended the dinner approached a speaker before the program and said, “My son is alive today because of Judge Hatty.”
What an incredible tribute!
Thank you, Judge Hatty, for taking the time to care about people it would be so easy to just lock up.
Thank You Judge Hatty, You gave me a Second Chance at life instead of giving me 5 years in prison, and because you saw what I couldn’t at that time, I will have 5 years clean and sober on March 23rd! I am on the Board of Second Chance, a Certified Peer Recovery Coach, an amazing mom, and so much more!! The legal system isn’t going to be the same in this county without you, you truly were ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS!!
My son died. There was never room in drug court for him. I could write a book about how the system failed him. God finally took my son home.
Best of luck in your retirement, Judge Hatty.
One of the good guys! Thanks
I’ve also had brief encounters with individuals in the adult drug program that have left a lasting impression on me.
More than once, they’ve expressed that without THAT JUDGE HATTY and the drug court program, they would not be alive today.
Hearing those words was profoundly sobering and deeply impactful for me.
Thank you for your years of service. It was so nice meeting you earlier this year. All the best! -Steph & Jeff