Judge of District Court - 52nd District 3rd Division
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Laura E. Polizzi (Incumbent)
(NON)
Summarize your biography, including your education (degrees conferred, colleges and law school), career and employment experience, elected offices held, community service activity, organizational affiliations, and other pertinent information. (Character Limit - 1,000)
Describe the general nature of your law practice or other legal work you have done, the typical clients you have represented, areas of specialty or concentration, and the geographic region of your practice. (Character Limit - 1,000)
Why should voters elect (or re-elect) you to judicial office; what qualities (e.g. temperament, diligence, etc.) and experiences do you have that commend you to the judicial office you seek? (Character Limit - 1,000)
Judge Polizzi was appointed in May 2024 and thereafter elected to the bench of the 52-3 District Court in November 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Oakland University and received her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Judge Polizzi received the Joan Young Judicial Excellence Award from the Women’s Bar Association. Judge Polizzi presides over 52-3’s first Veterans Treatment Court, which assists veterans by addressing underlying causes of offending behavior; Judge Polizzi also presides over the Operation Drive, which aims to assist Defendants in restoring their driving abilities. Judge Polizzi is active in many legal and community organizations and regularly opens her courtroom to students to view proceedings.
Judge Polizzi currently presides over civil and criminal matters within the jurisdiction of the 52-3 District Court in Oakland County. Before taking the bench, she represented clients throughout Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and St. Clair Counties, concentrating her practice in family, juvenile, and criminal law. She regularly served as a guardian ad litem in family and juvenile proceedings, advocating for the best interests of children and vulnerable individuals. Judge Polizzi also served as guardian ad litem in a specialty court for juvenile human trafficking victims involved in delinquency proceedings, providing legal advocacy to youth facing complex and challenging circumstances. These experiences afforded her extensive courtroom experience and a broad understanding of the legal, social, and personal issues affecting individuals appearing before the court.
Judge Polizzi’s career has been guided by a commitment to justice, fairness, and compassion. Her years in practice provided a deep understanding of the District Court’s role and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. A defining moment in her career was the loss of her brother, an Iraq War veteran, to opioid addiction at the age of 31. Also representing him in court, she witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of addiction, and the challenges individuals face within the legal system. This reinforced her belief that courts can promote accountability while addressing underlying issues contributing to criminal behavior. Working with veterans, juvenile human trafficking victims, children, and families has fostered empathy and strengthened her commitment to ensuring individuals are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
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