Richard D. Kuhn, Jr., Chief Judge

Education

Experience

Involvement

Jodi R. Debbrecht, Chief Judge Pro Tempore

Judge Debbrecht graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  She began her career in juvenile law and later worked as a victim advocate for a women’s shelter, a law enforcement unit and then the local Circuit Court.  While working, she also pursued a graduate degree in Human Development, Public Policy and Mediation.  These experiences led her to attending law school at the University of Missouri.  Before moving to Michigan in 2003, she served as a registered lobbyist, championing domestic violence and sexual assault legislation. Judge Debbrecht also worked for a local Representative and served on several legislative committees working to improve the lives and laws for victims of violence and their families.  

Prior to her Gubernatorial Appointment to the 51st District Court, Judge Debbrecht excelled as a trial attorney for the Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office winning numerous jury trials involving criminal sexual assault, armed robbery, child victimization, among other felonies.  She also served as an Appointee in the 45A District Court under Judge James L. Wittenberg in Berkley as Magistrate and Court Administrator and was actively involved in that community.  This past year, Judge Debbrecht was assigned by the Michigan Supreme Court to hear cases at the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac.  

Judge Debbrecht and her family now proudly serve the Waterford community and are involved in a myriad of local activities.  She implemented the State wide Mock Trial Competition in the local high schools and plans to extend this civic education into the elementary schools later this year.  A former board member for a youth coalition, she is active with the Waterford Coalition for Youth, and is currently working to provide additional programming for Waterford citizens on issues of teen substance abuse and prevention.  She is an active participant with the Chamber of Commerce, a coach in the Waterford Little League, involved in her Church, Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford, and numerous other local endeavors and organizations.