7/23/24 - New Justice Center Opens In West Michigan

Ottawa County opens a new Family Justice Center to the public July 23.

( OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich.) - Ottawa County's newest courthouse, the Family Justice Center, has been completes and is set to open to the public on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

The new facility will bring the 20th Circuit Court's family services under one roof, to allow for greater collaboration for the benefit of Ottawa County families.

The increased number of caseloads for the Family Division has crowded West Olive courtrooms and the addition of Judge Kraus, so a new courthouse was needed.

A main feature of the new facility is a 36' mural spanning three levels.  It was created by Holland artist Joel Schoon-Tanis and the mural showcases some of the beautiful attributes of Ottawa County's landscape and wildlife.

"Courthouses can be intimidating places for the public to visit.  Having a colorful mural to greet visitors will hopefully ease some of that tension," said Susan Franklin, Circuit Court Administrator.

The new courthouse will house the Family Division of the Circuit Court, including the three Family Division judges.  The Friend of the Court, Juvenile Services, Legal Self-Help Center and County Clerk Circuit Court Records division will also serve the public in this new facility on Ottawa County's West Olive campus.