Judge must check with prosecutors in some cases

NOVI (AP) -- A suburban Detroit judge has been ordered to check with prosecutors before dismissing or deferring sentences in some cases including those involving domestic violence. The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News report Novi District Court Brian MacKenzie last Thursday also was ordered as part of the ruling by Circuit Court Judge Colleen O'Brien to provide prosecutors with a list of some cases that he has dismissed since 2004. O'Brien's ruling said that it's "undisputed that Judge MacKenzie has given illegal sentences." Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper had sued last year, saying that MacKenzie improperly handled some cases. MacKenzie denied wrongdoing. A statement from MacKenzie's lawyer David Timmis said there was "absolutely no finding or suggestion that he attempted to conceal any criminal proceedings." Published: Mon, Feb 17, 2014