Michigan Senate Panel OKs Removing Judge Age Limit

Some Michigan lawmakers are looking to remove an age limit for judges.

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Credit Michigan Supreme Court

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to amend Michigan's constitution to let judges be elected or appointed after age 70.
 
Democratic Senator Steve Bieda of Warren is sponsoring the measure.  He calls the restriction "an anomaly" that doesn't account for today's longer life expectancy.   
 
Michigan State Court Administrator Chad Schmucker testified before the committee Tuesday and says lawmakers should consider raising the age limit instead of throwing it out completely.  
 
He says it would be difficult and time consuming to remove judges who may have trouble performing their duties later in life.  
 
If the Republican-led state House and Senate both pass the resolution, the amendment goes on the ballot in the next general election.