GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Kent County judge announced her upcoming retirement after 34 years behind the bench.
Judge Sara J. Smolenski will hang up the robe and gavel on Monday, July 15.
"I have really enjoyed my career at the 63rd District Court, but I believe the time is right to retire," says Judge Smolenski. "Judge Jeffrey O'Hara and the staff at the 63rd District Court are exceptional people, and I will miss them. I am grateful for all the support the community has shown me throughout my career."
She explains that "it's time."
The first thing on Smolenski's docket once retirement starts is spending time with her spouse.
"Travel. My spouse is retired. So I know we'll travel a bit," Smolenski said.
Judge Smolenski was first elected in 1990. She assumed the role of chief judge from 1996 until 2023.
Smolenski comes from a family of judges, including her father, J. Robert Smolenski, whose service lasted from 1969 until 1984. Michael Smolenski, her brother, was a judge for the 61st District Court from 1984 until 1994.
"My dad. He would just say, I'm proud of you. job. Well done. Yeah. And my mom would say, We love you to pieces proud of you. And when they're done with the interview, stop talking. That's my mom," Smolenski said.
She proudly displays a photo of herself and her family near her desk as she clears her office.
"So from 1968 to now 56 years. And I've always kept that hanging up in my office because it does mean a lot to me," she said.
Smolenski knew she always wanted to pursue a career in law. She got her undergrad from the University of Michigan and went to law school at Cooley Law School in Lansing.
"Seriously, in fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer," Smolenski added.
Prior to her time as judge, Sara Smolenski was a lawyer for Smith Haughey, Rice & Roegge and the city of Grand Rapids' assistant city attorney.
When she took her seat on the bench, a few memorable cases stuck out to her. One involved a man charged with domestic violence. She explained that the man was placed on probation but moved to another state.
"I thought that was good that (they) had distance," she said.
The eventual outcome still sticks with the veteran judge.
"Wondering about what to do and trying to do the right thing developed into a few weeks went by, and she was found murdered. And in the end, he was found to be the perpetrator," Smolenski said.
The judge tells FOX 17 that she has always dedicated her work to helping the community become a better community.
The county says Smolenski dedicated her skills to multiple boards and organizations, among them the Kent County Literacy Council, the American Cancer Society, St. John's Home for Children and many more.
"It has been an absolute pleasure serving our community with Judge Smolenski. She has been an excellent judge and the consummate professional, respected by everyone including the entire community she has served," says 63rd District Court Chief Judge Jeffrey O'Hara. "Judge Smolenski has always put our community first, giving her time to so many wonderful organizations to help those in need with humor and laughter along the way. Judge Smolenski has dedicated her life to serving our community and our community is better for it."
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to name a successor to fill Smolenski's role in 63rd District Court.
SMOLENSKI MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES IN 2019:
A priest at Smolenski's lifelong church, where she attended to and donated to, denied her communion.
"Because I was married to Linda, the way he said it was because you married Linda in the state of Michigan," she said.
It came as a shock to her.
"At first, I thought he was calling me to say, will you be on a committee? Because I was active with our church. In fact, I was a Eucharistic minister at my church," she added.
Smolenski said it broke her heart when it happened.
"I always thought I'd go out the funny judge, instead of the gate judge who got denied communion," she added.
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