William McConico

A Detroit tenants group is suing the 36th District Court, alleging it allows landlords to collect rent or evict tenants without required city safety certifications. The lawsuit claims judges fail to enforce Detroit city code requiring landlords to show compliance certificates before evictions, affecting 86% of rental properties lacking such certification.

Detroit's 36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico is enforcing curfew rules by issuing tickets to parents whose children violated curfew after a fireworks show and teen gatherings. Parents, including Sytaira Green, faced fines and court appearances for allowing minors to be outside past curfew, with one case involving a 6-year-old with autism found outside at 2 a.m. The judge emphasized parental responsibility for child safety.

Detroit police issued 180 juvenile curfew violation tickets during a fireworks event, up from 156 the previous year. The enforcement followed gunfire incidents near the Downtown Detroit area and aimed to hold parents accountable for unaccompanied minors violating an 8 p.m. curfew. Judge William McConico emphasized stricter enforcement due to recent teen-related concerns.

The Detroit Tenants Union and their attorneys are challenging Detroit’s 36th District Court for not enforcing the city’s rental ordinance, which requires landlords to have a certificate of compliance (CoC) before collecting rent. Only 14% of Detroit rental properties have a CoC, and advocates argue this undermines public health and safety. The group seeks court action to ensure landlords meet habitability standards before eviction judgments.