BY LARRY SOBCZAK
EDITOR
Court hearings for the drunken driving charges against Bruce Township Clerk Susan Brockmann have been moved to the 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore.
On Monday, Dec. 5, Judge Denis LeDuc of the 42-1 District Court in Romeo recused himself from the case and the case has been assigned to Judge William Hackel III.
“The court precludes me. That’s a fancy term for excusing myself from the case,” LeDuc said.
Judges will recuse or preclude themselves from a case because they may feel unqualified to perform legal duties or because of a possible conflict of interest or lack of impartiality.
LeDuc did not say why he transferred the case to Hackel.
Brockmann was originally scheduled to appear at the 42-1 District Court on Tuesday, Dec. 6 for a pretrial hearing.
Pretrial hearings allow for attorneys representing the defendant and the prosecutor to work out legal issues involving the case. The attorneys could agree on a plea bargain and ask the judge to approve it which would allow the case to avoid a trial.
As of press time for The Record, court clerks at the 42-2 District Court said that have not received Brockmann’s file yet and that no court dates have been scheduled.
The clerks said that the next court date could occur as late as January or February depending on what issues need to be addressed in the case and depending on the court’s schedule.
Brockmann has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) from an incident that allegedly occurred on Sept. 11 at the Bruce Township Hall.
The Michigan State Police responded to a breaking and entering alarm at the township hall at 3 a.m. to find two cars parked near the building.
According to the state police, a trooper positioned his vehicle behind the parked vehicles and approached Brockmann who was in her vehicle using her cell phone.
According to a traffic report written by trooper Roger Haddad, Brockmann proceeded to place her 2007 Jeep Commander in reverse and back into the trooper’s vehicle, causing minor damage to both vehicles. No injuries were reported.
The trooper asked Brockmann to perform a Breathalyzer test which he said indicated her blood alcohol content was 0.20 percent which is considered so-called “super drunk” under Michigan law.
Brockman could face misdemeanor penalties including up to a $700 fine, 180 days in jail and 360 hours of community service, according to state law. Additional fines could total more than $3,000.
She could have restrictions placed on her driving and required to take classes.
Under Michigan election law, the governor could remove Brockmann from office if he feels sufficient evidence has been presented that she was drunk or exhibits a pattern of drunkenness.
Brockmann said that she does not wish to discuss the case in the press.
