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34th District Court Judge David Parrott announces reelection bid
Belleville Area Independent
May 02, 2014
Judge David M. Parrott, 54, of Van Buren Township, announces that he is seeking reelection to the 34th District Court bench.
Judge Parrott was first elected in 2002, succeeding then retiring Judge William J. Szlinis, and was reelected in 2008.
“I believe I’ve dispensed justice fairly and firmly, with compassion and understanding. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the community and I am excited to have this opportunity,” said Judge Parrott.
The 34th Judicial District covers Belleville, Huron, Romulus, Sumpter, and Van Buren, including Metro and Willow Run Airports and the Lower Huron, Oakwood and Willow Metroparks. The 34th District is one of the busiest district courts in Michigan.
Judge Parrott is active in the community, being selected the Noble Hamrick Member of the Year by the Huron Valley Conservation Association for 2005 and currently serves as its vice president.
He is a certified hunter safety instructor and organizes an annual hunter safety course for the HVCA. Judge Parrott was also selected as the Belleville Boys and Girls Club 2007-2008 Outstanding Volunteer Leader. He is an active member of the Belleville Rotary Club, having served as president in 2012-13, is the president of the Donahey (Belleville) Boys and Girls Club advisory council, as well as a member of the Romulus Boys and Girls Club advisory council, and belongs to the Belleville Area and Greater Romulus Chambers of Commerce, the BYC and Van Buren Eagles.
Judge Parrott has just completed four years of service on the Belleville Moose Board of Officers, where he helped guide that organization out of financial distress and into its new home in Sumpter’s former PNA Hall.
Acknowledging their years of service and contributions, the Sumpter Parks and Recreation Commission has invited Judge Parrott, together with his colleagues Judge Tina Brooks Green and Judge Brian A. Oakley, to be the Grand Marshals for the Sumpter Country Fest Parade this Memorial Day weekend.
Professionally, Judge Parrott is a member of the American Judicature Society, the American Constitution Society, serves on the Board of Governors of the American Judges Association and served as treasurer, secretary, vice president and president of the Wayne County District Judges Association.
He is also a member of the Michigan Court Forms Committee, where he helps to develop simple, understandable forms to facilitate the public’s access to the legal system. Judge Parrott values history and is a member of the Yankee Air Museum and life member of the Belleville Historical Society. In his free time Judge Parrott enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, skiing, and runs regularly.
According to Judge Parrott, “With the support of my colleagues, Chief Judge Tina Brooks Green and Judge Brian Oakley, we have developed specialty court programs to address specific needs in the community. In addition to our very successful work program where defendants repay their debts to society through community service, I am responsible for the domestic violence court while Judge Green oversees sobriety court and Judge Oakley the juvenile diversion court.
“My batterers court program concentrates on rehabilitating violent offenders using a carrot-and-stick approach. We have had great success in each of these areas and will continue guiding offenders in breaking the cycle of failure to become productive, law-abiding citizens.
“I hope the residents of the 34th District allow me to continue this most important work by electing me to another six-year term.”
Judge Parrott’s reelection is supported by many elected officials. He urges everyone to exercise their right to vote this year in the Aug. 5 primary and Nov. 4 general elections. Judge Parrott looks forward to meeting with members of the community, discussing concerns and answering questions people may have.
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Body cam footage shows Wayne County Judge David Parrott’s drunken driving arrest
Click On Detroit
December 25, 2018
Press Release - 34th District Court Judge David Parrott Charged in Domestic Incident
Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
February 10, 2020
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged 34th District Court Judge David Parrott, (DOB: 04/12/1960), in connection with an alleged assault of a 55-year-old woman who is his domestic partner. On February 8, 2020 at approximately 7:10 p.m. Van Buren Township officers were dispatched to a home in Van Buren Township that Judge Parrott shares with the 55-year-old female victim. When the police arrived, the victim was upset and alleged that Judge Parrott had assaulted her causing a bump on her head, a laceration on her right hand, and pain to her tailbone. After an investigation at the scene the police arrested Judge Parrott.
Today the defendant has been charged with Domestic Violence Assault and Battery. * He was arraigned in 35th District Court before Judge James Plakas and received a $2,500 personal bond with an alcohol tether. He must have no contact with complainant, he cannot return to condo they share and cannot possess any firearms. Judge Parrott will have a pre-trial conference in 35th District Court on February 28, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. #####
Judge David Parrott arraignment
Scales Of Justice
February 10, 2020
34th District Court Judge David Parrott is facing charges after an alleged assault with his partner.
Romulus judge facing domestic violence charges after alleged assault of partner
WXYZ News - Detroit
February 10, 2020
Romulus judge charged with domestic assault
Click On Detroit
February 10, 2020
Wayne County Judge David Parrott accused of domestic violence, to be arraigned Monday
MLive
February 10, 2020
https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/02/wayne-county-judge-david-parrott-accused-of-domestic-violence-to-be-arraigned-monday.html
ROMULUS, MI -- 34th District Court Judge David Parrott is expected to be arraigned Monday on charges of domestic violence according to multiple reports. According to Fox 2 Detroit, officers were called to a home Parrott shares with his partner in Van Buren Township Saturday night around 7:10 p.m.
While investigating, police spoke to a woman in the home who said she suffered a bump on her head, a cut on her hand and pain in her tailbone after Parrott allegedly assaulted her. Police eventually took Parrott into custody.
WDIV Detroit reports Parrott has been charged by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy with domestic violence assault and battery. He is expected to be arraigned in court Monday afternoon.
Romulus Judge David Parrott arrested, accused of domestic assault
Detroit Free Press
February 10, 2020
A Wayne County judge was charged with a domestic violence misdemeanor Monday in connection to a dispute with a 55-year-old woman at their home in Van Buren Township, authorities said.
Police arrested Judge David Parrott of 34th District Court in Romulus just after 7 p.m., Saturday after being dispatched to the home. Authorities confirmed the victim accused the 59-year-old judge of assaulting her and injuring her head and hand.
Parrott was held in the Canton Jail over the weekend and arraigned before 35th District Court Judge Jim Plakas, who set bond for release at $2,500 and set a pretrial hearing for Feb. 28.
Parrott, who earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University, was elected judge in 2002 and reelected in 2008 and 2014. The 34th Judicial District includes Belleville, Huron, Romulus, Sumpter, and Van Buren.
Before becoming a judge, his LinkedIn profile shows he was an attorney with Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, and a counselor to local governments and retirement systems.
He has been honored for his work with conservation, volunteering with the Belleville Boys and Girls Club and leadership in civic and business organizations, such as the Belleville Rotary Club and Belleville Area and Greater Romulus Chambers of Commerce.
In 2014, when he was running for reelection, the Belleville-Area Independent, quoted the judge touting his work on the domestic violence court and efforts to rehabilitate violent offenders "using a carrot-and-stick approach."
His LinkedIn profile also said he attended all-boys De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren.
Wayne County judge David Parrott charged with domestic violence
55-year-old victim was judge’s partner
Click On Detroit
February 10, 2020
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged 34th District Court Judge David Parrott in connection with an alleged assault involving a 55-year-old woman.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office the woman is Parrott’s partner.
On Feb. 8 at around 7:10 p.m. Van Buren Township officers were sent to a home in Van Buren Township that Parrott shares with the victim.
When police arrived, the victim was upset and told officers Parrott assaulted her and she suffered a bump on the head, a laceration on the hand, and pain in the tailbone.
After investigating the scene police arrested Parrott.
On Monday he was charged with domestic violence assault and battery. Parrott was expected to be arraigned this afternoon in the 34th District Court in Romulus.
Wayne County Judge David Parrott charged with assaulting his girlfriend
Detroit Metro Times
Feb 10, 2020
A Wayne County district judge was charged Monday with domestic violence after police arrested him Saturday night following a dispute with his girlfriend at their Van Buren Township home.
Judge David Parrott of the 34th District Court in Romulus is accused of assaulting the 55-year-old woman, causing a bump on her head, a cut on her hand, and pain in her tailbone, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Police were called to the home at 7:10 p.m. Saturday. After a brief investigation at the home, Parrott, 59, was arrested.
Parrott is expected to be arraigned Monday afternoon, when a bond will be set.
34th District Court Judge facing domestic violence charge
FOX 2 News - Detroit
February 10, 2020
PLYMOUTH, Mich. (FOX 2) - A judge in Wayne County is facing a domestic violence charge for an incident last week in Van Buren Township.
Police say 34th District Court Judge David Parrott, 59, has been charged with domestic violence assault and battery after an alleged incident with his partner.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy says police were called Feb. 8 around 7:10 p.m. to a home Judge Parrott shares with his 55-year-old domestic partner. When police arrived, the woman was upset and said Parrott had assaulted her, causing a bump on her head, a cut on her hand and pain to her tailbone. Parrott was arrested.
Parrott was arraigned Monday afternoon where it was revealed he is out on bond in Manistee County for alcohol-related offenses. Investigators say police there are in the process of filing a motion to revoke Parrott's bond.
The judge, in this case, ordered him released on a personal bond. He's not to return to his home or have contact with the alleged victim, as well as no alcohol or drugs, and no access to his guns.
Parrott listed a total of nine guns including a Glock he said he keeps in his office. All were ordered handed over to the Van Buren Township police. Parrott was also ordered to wear an alcohol tether or other monitoring device.
Parrott has been on the bench in Romulus since 2002. His current term expires this year.
Wayne County judge charged with domestic assault also dealing with drunken driving case
Click On Detroit
February 11, 2020
Wayne County Judge David Parrott is dealing with more than a domestic assault charge. Local 4 has learned Parrott was charged with driving while intoxicated after his car went off the road up north.
Wayne County judge charged with domestic assault also dealing with drunken driving case
Judge David Parrott charged with driving while intoxicated up north
Click On Detroit
February 11, 2020
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Wayne County Judge David Parrott is dealing with more than a domestic assault charge. Local 4 has learned Parrott was charged with driving while intoxicated after his car went off the road up north.
It’s been more than a year since Parrott was charged with DWI in Manistee, but the case is still open.
Parrott has filed a 45-page appeal and it trying to get his misdemeanor driving while intoxicated arrest thrown out, according to records. But the file is more than a foot high -- a legal maneuver clearly designed to make the case disappear, experts said.
The judge is charged locally with domestic violence and assault and battery -- both misdemeanors.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Parrott had a brush with the law in Manistee on Christmas Day 2018.
Back then, Parrott and the woman he is accused of assaulting in his Van Buren Township home had Christmas dinner with family, according to authorities. While he was driving to a posh Portage Lake resort, Parrott ended up going off the road and into a field, police said.
Parrott asked for a tow truck, but when that didn’t help, he asked for a sheriff’s deputy to come to the scene, court records show. The officer asked the judge to take a breathalyzer, according to authorities.
Parrott’s own pleadings say his breathalyzer exceeded .10, which is over the legal limit. The deputy arrested Parrott and had him do a blood draw, which the Manistee County prosecutor said exceeded the legal limit.
“There was information that there was alcohol involved,” Manistee Prosecutor Jonathan Hauswirth said. “(We) sent the blood work to a lab, got it back and made the charge.”
Parrott hired Mike Nichols, a well-known Lansing attorney, to represent him in his appeal of the driving while intoxicate case. Nichols represented former Rep. Suan Gamrat during her 2015 scandal.
Parrott is claiming the Manistee prosecutor erred by not including the breathalyzer into his case. Now the prosecutor is looking to get Parrott’s bond revoked.
“We are basically asking the judge to take notice of what’s going on down in Van Buren Township and to act accordingly, because, essentially, our assertion to the court is that this person cannot be trusted to follow the bond conditions and therefore should not be granted the freedom they’ve been granted up to this point,” Hauswirth said.
Wayne County judge’s domestic violence charge marks 2nd arrest in 14 months
MLive
February 11, 2020
ROMULUS, MI -- A Wayne County Judge who was arrested over the weekend and charged Monday with domestic violence and misdemeanor assault and battery is also facing charges of drunken driving from a 2018 incident in Manistee. According to WDIV Detroit, 34th District Court Judge David Parrott was arrested on Christmas Day 2018 for allegedly driving drunk.
Parrott was in court Monday to be arraigned on the domestic violence charges stemming from an incident at his Van Buren Township home Saturday night. Police were called to the home shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday and while investigating, they spoke with a woman living in the home. That woman -- who is Parrott’s live-in partner -- told police Parrott allegedly assaulted her, causing injuries to her head, hand and tailbone.
During his arraignment Monday, Parrott was ordered by Judge James Plakas to surrender his guns and to avoid using alcohol while also wearing an alcohol-monitoring device while he is out on bond.
The 2018 drunken driving case is still pending and is in the Michigan Court of Appeals where a probable cause conference is expected later this month.
Attorney Mike Nichols/Attorney For Judge David Parrott
Statement on behalf of Judge Parrott
Twitter
February 13, 2020
Mike Nichols - We certainly assert Judge Parrott’s innocence and there is much more to these stories that the government wants you to hear. But Judge Parrott is stepping back from the bench and taking stock.
Wayne County judge on leave amid growing legal troubles
WXYZ News - Detroit
February 13, 2020
34th District Court Judge David Parrott is facing charges after an alleged assault with his partner.
Romulus judge charged with domestic violence, drunken driving 'stepping back' from duties
Detroit News
February 13, 2020
Romulus — A Wayne County judge is "stepping back from the bench and taking stock" of his life in the midst of domestic violence charges and a drunken driving case, his attorney announced Thursday.
Romulus Judge David Parrott, 59, was charged and arraigned via video Monday in 35th District Court on charges of domestic violent assault and battery in connection with an incident Saturday involving his 55-year-old girlfriend who lives with him in his Van Buren Township home.
In a separate case in Manistee County, Parrott was allegedly involved in a one-vehicle crash on Christmas Day 2018.
"We have arguments seeking to introduce important evidence of his innocence pending before the court of appeals," said his attorney, East Lansing lawyer Mike Nichols, about the drunken driving case pending in Manistee County.
Nichols made the statement Thursday in a tweet that was accompanied by a video.
"Judge Parrott is going through a crisis in his life with all of these allegations, as well as the fact that it is a very public forum," he said.
"Imagine yourself going through this under a very hot spotlight. ... He is going to take time and step away from the bench. He's also is going to undergo an evaluation to see what he may need in his life in terms of perhaps some treatment for various things."
In a Wednesday letter Parrott submitted to Chief 34th District Judge Brian Oakley of his plans to step back from the bench temporarily, the embattled judge wrote: "Regardless of the merits of both of these matters, the mere fact that the allegations were made, warrants a searching evaluation of my relationships, as well as my physical, emotional and mental state."
Parrott said he was "deeply disappointed" in himself "for being in the position of even responding to these embarrassing situations."
Parrott said while his time away from the court "may be indeterminate at this time," he hopes to be able to return to the bench within 45-60 days.
The 34th District Court will split Parrott's docket between the other two judges and the two magistrates at the court. When necessary, sitting judges in Wayne County will be asked to assist with the court's docket, said a spokesman for the Michigan Supreme Court. There will be no additional costs incurred to the court when other sitting judges are asked to fill in.
Parrott will maintain his salary.
In the Manistee County case, Parrott faces a Feb. 25 hearing on a motion to revoke his bond for the drunken driving case, according to Manistee County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jon Hauswirth.
Parrott was charged on Jan. 22, 2019, with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, a 93-day misdemeanor.
Hauswirth said Parrott was charged after a blood-alcohol test came back confirming that Parrott was operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
In the Saturday incident, police were dispatched about 7:10 p.m. to the home Parrott shares with his girlfriend.
When police arrived, the woman told officers the judge had assaulted her, causing injuries, including a bump on her head, a cut on her right hand and pain to her tailbone. After an investigation at the home by police, the judge was arrested.
Judge James Plakas gave Parrott a $2,500 personal bond on Monday and ordered him to stay away from alcohol and be monitored for alcohol consumption.
Parrott also was ordered to surrender his weapons to police, including a Glock pistol that he said he keeps at his courtroom office. The judge was ordered to stay away from his girlfriend.
A not-guilty plea was entered on Parrott's behalf. His attorney who represented him at the arraignment, Robert Coutts, said the judge is “anxious for his day in court, and he will be vindicated.”
Judge Parrott arrested on domestic violence charge
Belleville Area Independent
February 13, 2020
34th District Court Judge David Mark Parrott, 59, was arrested on Feb. 8 at the Van Buren Township condo he shares with his 55-year-old female partner.
He was arraigned by video on Monday by 35th District Court Judge James Plakas in Plymouth on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence assault and battery.
His pretrial is set for 8:30 a.m., Feb. 28, at 35th District Court in Plymouth.
The warrant said that when police arrived at the home, the female partner was upset and alleged that Parrott had assaulted her, causing a bump on her head, a laceration on her right hand and pain to her tailbone.
After an investigation at the scene, Parrott was arrested. He was arraigned by video in the Plymouth court as he stood in the Canton Township Police Department. He is being defended by attorney Robert Coutts, who said his client pleads not guilty.
Judge Plakas released Parrott on $2,500 personal bond and said if he violates any of the court’s orders he will revoke bond and multiply it by 10 and require cash or surety. Judge Plakas ordered Parrott not to contact the victim and not to return to his home. He also ordered him to surrender his firearm collection to the Van Buren Township police and not to buy any more firearms. Also, he is to use no alcohol or marijuana or other non-prescription drugs and to wear an alcohol device, a tether or Sober Link or something of that sort.
Parrott asked Judge Plakas if the female no longer resides at the residence, “Can I return?”
Judge Plakas asked VBT Police Lt. Charles Bazzy about that and the judge and Lt. Bazzy agreed that the Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor on the case should decide that question.
Attorney Coutts said his client had plans to be out of state for Feb. 15-22 and March 6-14 and would the judge allow it. He said Parrott is not a flight risk. Judge Plakas approved the trips.
Coutts also asked that the no-contact order be changed to no assaultive contact. Lt. Bazzy said the victim does not wish to pursue this further. Judge Plakas said they will have the Prosecutor decide on contact.
Judge Plakas noted there was an alcohol-related offense up north and Parrott was out on bond for that. The bond may be removed and a hearing has been set in Manistee and Parrott is expected to be present for that. The offense was a one-vehicle accident with Parrott being found over the limit in alcohol consumption when driving, according to a story in Tuesday’s Detroit News.
VBT Public Safety Director Greg Laurain said Tuesday that since VBT is in the 34th District Court jurisdiction, Wayne County is handling the case.
Romulus attorney challenges embattled judge
Belleville Area Independent
February 20, 2020
Alexandria Taylor, a Romulus attorney, has announced her candidacy for 34th District Court Judge, challenging Judge David Parrott who is facing a domestic violence charge and has gone on a leave of absence from his position for 45 to 60 days.
Judge Parrott, who also has appealed a Jan. 25, 2019 drunk driving charge in Manistee to the Michigan Court of Appeals, is up for reelection in November.
Taylor, 39, and mother of three, is an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the managing attorney of Taylor Law Firm. She is a lifelong resident of Romulus and has presided as chairperson of the Romulus Charter Commission for nearly a decade.
Taylor, a graduate of Romulus Community Schools, earned her bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University, master of arts degree from Eastern Michigan and her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of law. She was admitted to the bar in 2011.
Monday’s news release on her candidacy said she has extensive courtroom experience having formerly served as assistant city attorney for the cities of Woodhaven and Allen Park. In addition to practicing in local district and circuit courts, Taylor is also licensed in the Michigan Federal Court and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
She ran for State Representative in the 12th District in 2018 and was beaten in the primary by Alex Garza, who went on to win the seat.
Taylor states she is committed to upholding integrity and honesty in the judiciary.
In a Feb. 12 letter to 34th District Court Chief Judge Brian A. Oakley, Judge Parrott submitted his plans to step back from the bench temporarily.
“Regardless of the merits of both of these matters, the mere fact that the allegations were made, warrants a searching evaluation of my relations, as well as my physical, emotional and mental state,” he wrote.
Parrott said he was “deeply disappointed” in himself “for being in the position of even responding to these embarrassing situations.”
He said while his time away from the court “may be indeterminate at this time,” he hopes to be able to return to the bench in 45-60 days.
In the meantime, his court docket will be split between the other two judges and magistrates at the court. When necessary, sitting judges in Wayne County will be asked to assist with the court’s docket. There will be no additional costs incurred to the court when other sitting judges are asked to fill in. Parrott will continue to receive his salary.
Parrott is due in 35th District Court in Plymouth at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 28 for his pretrial on the domestic violence misdemeanor charge. He is free on $2,500 personal bond.
His misdemeanor, single-vehicle, drunk-driving accident charge in Manistee County from a Dec. 25, 2018 incident is being appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, which has agreed to hear the case. The next step is for his attorney to file his brief.
His attorney Mike Nichols said of the Manistee charge, “We have arguments seeking to introduce important evidence of his innocence pending before the court of appeals. Judge Parrott is going through a crisis in his life with all of these allegations, as well as the fact that it is in a very public forum.
“Imagine yourself going through this under a very hot spotlight … He is going to take time and step away from the bench. He’s also going to undergo an evaluation to see what he may need in his life in terms of perhaps some treatment for various things.
“We are asking constituents to be patient, respectful and to know these charges will be litigated in court,” Nichols said.
“He’s a great guy who is determined to become a better, more humble jurist if the voters will have him and a better person out of all this turmoil,” Nichols said.
Body cam footage shows Wayne County Judge David Parrott’s drunken driving arrest in 2018
Incident brought to light during domestic violence case
Click On Detroit
February 24, 2020
MANISTEE COUNTY, Mich. – During court proceedings for a domestic assault charge this year, it was revealed that Wayne County Judge David Parrott was arrested for driving drunk in 2018.
Parrott, 55, is accused of driving his car off the road in Manistee County while intoxicated on Christmas Day 2018. That case was brought to light after he was charged with domestic violence and assault and battery in Metro Detroit earlier this month.
Parrott has filed a 45-page appeal in an attempt to get the driving while intoxicated arrest thrown out, according to records. But case’s the file is more than a foot high -- a legal maneuver clearly designed to make the case disappear, experts said.
His pleadings showed that his breathalyzer result exceeded .10. The Manistee County Prosecutor said a blood draw also exceeded the legal limit of .08.
Judge David Parrott bond hearing
Scales Of Justice
February 25, 2020
A Romulus judge facing domestic violence charges.
Manistee judge modifies Judge Parrott’s pretrial release conditions
Belleville Area Independent
February 27, 2020
After a bond hearing on Tuesday morning, Feb. 25, a Manistee County District Court Judge modified 34th District Court Judge David Parrott’s pretrial release order to allow him to be free as long as he continued to wear his Soberlink device.
The Manistee County prosecutor had moved that Parrott’s bond be revoked for a violation of parole which would send him to jail to await trial on a drunk-driving charge that now is in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
The judge said it would be too heavy-handed to put Parrott in jail to await word from the court of appeals in that he could serve more than the 93-day sentence he would get if he was found guilty of the charge.
The bond hearing was televised live by WXYZ.
The judge said since Parrott is already wearing Soberlink as part of his bond agreement for the Wayne County charge of domestic violence, he is ordered to submit Soberlink reports to his probation department four times a day as scheduled by their probation officer.
He emphasized that Parrott has a problem with alcohol that led to the two charges he is facing.
He was ordered not to possess, purchase or use any alcohol or other non-prescription drugs and not use medical marijuana and to comply with other orders in his Wayne County bond for his domestic violence charge.
Testifying by Polycom from Van Buren Township were VBT Officer Michael Rini, Sgt. Marc Abdilla, and Lt. Charles Bazzy. The first two told of the Feb. 8 domestic violence charge that started earlier that day at the Polar Plunge at the BYC and ended in the evening with an argument. Lt. Bazzy said Parrott’s ex-wife came to the police department on Feb. 14 to ask if one of Parrott’s guns that he turned over to police, a 44 magnum, was still registered to her and it was, a civil infraction.
The judge did not find this important to the motion before him.
Parrott’s pretrial on the domestic violence charge is set for 8:30 a.m., Feb. 28, at 35th District Court in Plymouth.
Court Watching: Judge Parrott case adjourned to March 20 at Plymouth court
Belleville Area Independent
March 05, 2020
On Friday, the scheduled pretrial for 34th District Court Judge David Mark Parrott on a domestic violence misdemeanor charge was adjourned until 8:30 a.m. March 20 by 35th District Court Judge James A. Plakas.
Judge Parrott’s attorney Robert Coutts told Judge Plakas that there will be a substitution of attorney.
Prosecutor Tara Math Hindelang said the complainant was present at the court (but not in the courtroom) and she did not object to the adjournment. She said the complainant knows the defendant will be out of town for a week she would like to get some personal items out of the condominium they shared in Van Buren Township.
After she moved out of the condo, the court allowed Parrott with a Feb. 13 order to move back into his home.
Attorney Coutts said he will contact the complainant to let her know the condominium will be vacant for that week.
After the brief court session, Coutts said he was not ready to say who the new defense attorney would be on the 93-day misdemeanor charge.
In testimony in Manistee on Feb. 25 in a bond hearing for Parrott’s 93-day misdemeanor drunk driving charge from Christmas Day 2018, a Van Buren Township police officer testified that he talked to Parrott at the home of his attorney Coutts after the Feb. 8 incident at Parrott’s condo, which was located nearby.
The complainant told police she pulled the window treatment from the window and that may have been what started the argument. She told police both of them had been drinking and she may have hit her forehead on the wall when he tackled her.
As part of the bond for both the Manistee and the Van Buren Township charges, Parrott has been ordered to wear Soberlink, a tether that reports any alcohol consumption four times a day to probation officers in both the Manistee and Wayne County courts.
Michael Nichols, Parrott’s attorney on the Manistee County charge, has appealed that case to the Michigan Court of Appeals and is waiting for its determination.
Court Watching: Judge Parrott recuses himself from case where friends are witnesses
Belleville Area Independent
March 12, 2020
Matthew Mark Taylor, 26, of Sumpter Township was standing before 34th District Court Judge David Parrott on Feb. 5 for his preliminary exam on four case folders holding 11 felony charges against him.
Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Shamus told Judge Parrott that the People were prepared to proceed, but she had just learned that two witnesses were familiar with the judge: Keith and Kurt Johnston.
Judge Parrott replied, “Now I know why they’re here.” He said he saw them in his courtroom and wondered about it.
Judge Parrott said Keith Johnston is on the school board, helped with his campaign and the court has used Johnston’s printing business in the past. And, Kurt Johnston helped the judge a couple of months ago when the judge was buying an auto.
Judge Parrott said it would give an appearance of impropriety with witnesses for him to hear the case and he believes it is the same for all three judges in the court, since they all know the Johnstons.
“It’s too close,” Judge Parrott said. “I’m going to recuse myself.”
He said since all three judges would recuse themselves, the cases would probably be assigned to another district court.
Prosecutor Shamus said she is assigned only to the 34th District Court so she wouldn’t be able to go with the case.
Judge Parrott asked if they would be resetting the probable cause conference that was already held at 34th District Court and the court appointed defense attorney Robert De’Angelo Burton-Harris said he didn’t know.
Judge Parrott said the 34th District Court will be contacted on where the case will be sent.
Attorney Burton-Harris asked Judge Parrott to order that the GPS tether defendant Taylor is wearing have no time restrictions.
Prosecutor Shamus said she would like the tether to stay in place but having no time restrictions is okay with her.
“You got it,” Judge Parrott said to Burton-Harris, concerning having no time restrictions.
Judge Parrott said he could see they wanted the defendant to stay away from the address where the larcenies were reported.
“I apologize, but we will get this moving,” Judge Parrott said.
Keith Johnston said catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles at his printing business and the adjoining car lot at 11370 Hunt St. in Romulus.
He said when he finally was able to talk to the prosecutor on Feb. 5, he told her that he was friends with the judge. Johnston said he apologized, but Prosecutor Shamus said that telling of the relationship was the right thing for Johnston to do, although it upset the case schedule.
Taylor’s cases are:
• #20-0094 – two larceny from a motor vehicle counts on Jan. 6 in Romulus;
• #20-0095 – two counts of larceny from a motor vehicle and one count of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer on Jan. 9 in Romulus;
• #20-0096 – one count of being in possession of stolen property and one count of larceny from a motor vehicle on Oct. 25, 2019 in Romulus; and
• #20-0097 — two counts of larceny between $1,000 and $20,000; and two counts of receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000 in value on Oct. 21, 2019 in Van Buren Township.
The cases have been reassigned to visiting Judge Terrence Bronson on March 18. Judge Bronson is filling in for Judge Parrott who is on a leave of absence.
Parrott’s domestic violence charge pretrial adjourned until May 1
Belleville Area Independent
April 09, 2020
As one of the corona virus adjournments at 35th District Court in Plymouth, the pretrial for a domestic violence charge against David Mark Parrott, 59, of Van Buren Township that was scheduled for March 20 has been adjourned until 8:30 a.m., May 1.
Parrott, who is a sitting judge at 34th District Court in Romulus, had been before Judge James A. Plakas in Plymouth on Feb. 28 for his pre-trial, but that was adjourned until March 20 for a substitution of attorney.
Attorney Robert Coutts of Van Buren Township represented Parrott on Feb. 28 on the 93-day misdemeanor charge.
On March 17, Heather KS Nalley of the Howell law firm of Gentry Nalley, filed as Parrott’s new attorney and on March 18, the court removed from the calendar the March 20 appearance and rescheduled it for May 1.
Parrott has been charged with assaulting his live-in girlfriend on Feb. 8 at his Van Buren Township condo.
Parrott also had a misdemeanor drunk driving charge in Manistee County on Christmas Day 2018 and that conviction has been appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, with a decision pending. His attorney on that case is Mike Nichols of Lansing.
As part of the bond for both the Manistee and the Van Buren Township charges, Parrott has been ordered to wear Soberlink, a tether that reports any alcohol consumption four times a day to probation officers in both the Manistee and Wayne county courts.
In a Feb. 12 letter to 34th District Court Chief Judge Brian A. Oakley, Judge Parrott submitted his plans to step back from the bench temporarily.
“Regardless of the merits of both of these matters, the mere fact that the allegations were made, warrants a searching evaluation of my relations, as well as my physical, emotional and mental state,” he wrote.
Parrott said he was “deeply disappointed” in himself “for being in the position of even responding to these embarrassing situations.”
He said while his time away from the court “may be indeterminate at this time,” he hoped to be able to return to the bench in 45-60 days.
In the meantime, retired Monroe County District Judge Terrance Bronson is filling in for Parrott at the court.
Parrott, who is completing his 12th year on the bench, has filed for reelection as district court judge. Those who announced they also are running for that six-year position are Romulus attorney Alexandria Taylor, VBT attorney Robert Coutts, and former 34th District Court Magistrate Lisa Martin, also of VBT.
Candidates seeking a district court judgeship have until 4 p.m., April 21, to file.
Wayne County Judge David Parrott - Court Order To Suspend
Michigan Supreme Court
June 17, 2020
2 judges suspended with pay by Michigan Supreme Court
Detroit News
Associated Press
June 18, 2020
Parrott--11
Detroit – The Michigan Supreme Court has suspended two judges with pay.
Judge David Parrott is a 34th District Court judge in Romulus, while Judge Kahlilia Davis works at 36th District Court in Detroit.
The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission has accused Davis of not using official recording equipment while hearing cases in early 2019.
Commission investigators said Davis recorded hearings with her personal phone and posted some on the internet. In response, Davis’ attorney said she was not trained by court staff to use courtroom technology.
In Parrott’s case, he was charged in February with assaulting a woman at their home. His attorney, Robert Coutts, said at the time that Parrott would be “vindicated.”
The Supreme Court suspended the two judges Wednesday.
Michigan Supreme Court suspends Downriver judge with pay in wake of alleged assault
News Herald
June 20, 2020
Updated: June 17, 2021
A 34th District judge has been suspended with pay following a domestic violence assault and battery charge.
The Michigan Supreme Court suspended Judge David Parrott in connection with an incident involving his 55-year-old live-in-partner.
The suspension took place June 17.
The alleged assault occurred on Feb. 8, in Van Buren Township, where the two share a house.
Parrott was ordered not to have any contact with the woman.
Upon the arrival of police, the woman was upset and alleged that Parrott had assaulted her, causing a bump on her head, a laceration on her right hand and pain to her tailbone.
Parrott also was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated on Dec. 25, 2018, in Manistee County. It is a misdemeanor charge.
Parrott voluntarily decided to step away from his duties on the bench shortly after the alleged assault incident.
In a letter he wrote announcing he would be stepping away for some time, Parrott said regardless of the merits of both charges, he needed to evaluate his relationships, as well as physical, emotional and mental state.
He said he was deeply disappointed in himself.
“I have always strived to hold myself to the highest standards my position demands. Because we as judges are held to a higher standard, my ability to fairly and impartially adjudicate their cases may be called into question.”
Parrott is up for reelection this year and has filed paperwork to run for another six-year term. Four others also have filed to run. The race will be narrowed to two candidates during the Aug. 4 primary election.
Michigan Supreme Court suspends Judge Parrott with pay
Belleville Area Independent
June 25, 2020
On June 17, the Michigan Supreme Court announced it has suspended two judges with pay. Judge David Parrott is a 34th District Court judge in Romulus and Judge Kahlilia Davis is at 36th District Court in Detroit.
Judge Parrott was charged in February with assaulting a woman at their Van Buren Township home and he took a leave from the bench to get counseling since then and has yet to return.
The misdemeanor domestic violence charge was moved from the 34th District Court to 35th District Court in Plymouth. Judge James A. Plakas is scheduled to preside over Parrott’s pretrial exam on July 6. The exam was delayed because of the coronavirus.
Parrott also is awaiting a decision by the Michigan Court of Appeals on a Dec. 25, 2018, drunk driving charge in Manistee County. His attorney Mike Nichols of Lansing said they are awaiting a ruling from the court of appeals to admit evidence that they believe will help clear his name of the OWI charge.
The other judge suspended, Judge Davis, was accused by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission of not using official recording equipment while hearing cases in early 2019.
Commission investigators said Davis recorded hearings with her personal phone and posted some on the internet. In response, Davis’ attorney said she was not trained by court staff to use courtroom technology.
Five file for 34th District Court Judge seat in Aug. 4 primary election
Belleville Area Independent
July 02, 2020
Five attorneys filed for 34th District Court Judge in the Aug. 4 election. The top two will proceed to the Nov. 6 ballot.
David M. Parrott, incumbent
David M. Parrott, 60, of 42156 N. Cumberland Dr., Van Buren Township, has filed for reelection to the six-year term on the 34th District Court. He is completing his 18th year of service to the court.
He has lived in the district court district for 34 years and was elected judge in 2002, 2008, and 2014.
He attained his Juris Doctor degree in 1985 from Wayne State University Law School after earning a bachelor’s degree in general studies degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1982.
He served on the Van Buren Township Water and Sewer Commission, 1992-2002.
His hobbies are boating and water sports, cycling, golfing, hunting and fishing, and skiing.
He is a longtime member and past president of the Belleville Rotary Club, vice president of the Charles B. Cozadd Rotary Foundation, and president of the Belleville-Donahey Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council. He is a DNR-certified Hunter Safety Instructor and is the Hunter Safety Education chairman for the Huron Valley Conservation Association. He also is a member of the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce, a life member of both the Friends of the Belleville Area District Library and the Belleville Area Historical Society and an avid supporter of the Belleville Area Council for the Arts. He was named Member of the Year by the Huron Valley Conservation Association and selected as a Belleville Boys and Girls Outstanding Volunteer Leader.
He belongs to 26 clubs and organizations and ten professional organizations.
“After living in our community for 34 years and with 18 years of judicial experience, I want to continue serving the residents of the 34th District Court in the best way I can – as part of our team of dedicated judges,” Parrott said. “Together we have developed problem-solving dockets to address specific needs in our community.
“My professional activities locally and nationally as a member of the Michigan Court Forms Committee and officer in the Wayne District Judges Association and American Judges Association demonstrate my devotion to the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice.
“Likewise, my civic and charitable activities such as Rotary show that I am active in and committed to the well-being of our community. My last evaluation by the Detroit Bar Association was ‘Outstanding.’ I look forward to continuing to serve our residents as one of their trusted 34th District Court judges,” Parrott said.
As to his goals, once reelected: “My goal is to dispense justice fairly and firmly, but with compassion and understanding by providing guidance to help people get back on track. I believe each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, but if proven guilty is entitled to an individualized sentence based upon his or her particular circumstances, such as prior criminal history and substance abuse or mental health issues.
“Most important to me is to determine whether a defendant has deliberately and consciously broken the law, or rather has made a poor choice or mistake not likely to be repeated. My most rewarding and enjoyable moments on the bench are when I can be a part of someone’s solution. Accountability is important to me and I am a no-nonsense judge who follows the law. I continue to rely upon my 18 years of experience, constant training, and commitment to continuing judicial education to meet these goals,” Parrott said.
Court Watching: Judge Parrott’s pretrial continued to Sept. 25 at 35th District Court
Belleville Area Independent
August 20, 2020
On Friday, Aug. 14, Judge James A. Plakas at 35th District Court in Plymouth set 8:30 a.m. Sept. 25 as the time to continue the pretrial of 34th District Court Judge David Parrott on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence.
Judge Plakas noted the parties will submit a stipulated Order of Interview of Parrott’s ex-wife, Lianne Clair.
The charge against Judge Parrott was brought at 35th District Court in Plymouth because Parrott is a sitting judge at the 34th District Court in Romulus. Parrott has taken a leave of absence from his court and failed during the Aug. 4 primary at an attempt at reelection.
Parrott is charged with assaulting his live-in girlfriend on Feb. 8 at his condo in Van Buren Township. His defense attorney is Heather KS Nalley of Howell.
Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor is Tara Math Hindelang.
At an earlier session, Judge Plakas approved the prosecution’s motion and ordered the unsealing of records of a prior divorce deposition transcript.
Two well-known attorneys make their case for judgeship in 34th District Court in Romulus
News Herald
September 30, 2020
Lisa Martin (left) and Alexandria Taylor
Voters in the Nov. 3 election are set to decide which candidate they believe will be the best choice for judgeship in the Romulus-based 34th District Court.
Attorneys Lisa Martin and Alexandria Taylor are vying to win the judgeship.
The six-year seat was previously held by former Judge David Parrott, who placed third in the primary and was eliminated from the campaign to retain his judgeship there.
Parrott was embattled in controversy after a drunken driving incident, as well as a suspension with pay following a domestic violence assault and battery charge.
Martin and Taylor are well-known attorneys in the Romulus community, as well as Belleville, Van Buren, Sumpter and Huron townships, which all make up the areas served by the court.
Both candidates were asked to provide some background information and answer the same questions detailing why they should be elected to the judgeship.
Martin, 48, is a staff attorney with Lakeshore Legal Aid in Warren.
She was appointed as attorney magistrate in the 34th District Court from June 2018 until February 2020.
She and her husband, Kevin, have resided in the Van Buren Township area for more than 13 years.
Taylor, 39, is the managing attorney of her own firm, Taylor Law Firm. It is located in Downtown Detroit.
She is the chairwoman of the Charter Commission in Romulus.
Taylor has three children.
The following are the questions asked of the candidates and their responses:
Q: What makes you a better candidate for this seat than your opponent?
A: Martin: I prefer to assert that my educational experiences at Harvard University and University of Michigan Law School, 21 years of legal experience practicing primarily in Michigan’s district courts, time as attorney magistrate with the 34th District Court and my lifetime of volunteer service to community support programs makes me the best candidate to serve the residents in the position of 34th District Court judge.
Taylor: What makes me a better candidate is a mix of experience and character. I am a trial attorney. I have spent my entire career as a litigator, including working as an assistant city attorney in Woodhaven and Allen Park. While being a magistrate puts you in the court doing traffic matters and landlord/tenant; it lacks the perspective one gains from actually practicing law. I have held trials in district and circuit courts around the state. I have also practiced appellate law, arguing in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Practicing law gives perspective. I am not saying this cannot be learned; however, it is a steep learning curve at the expense of the community/litigants. Working as an assistant city attorney, I learned to cross the aisle. I learned collaboration and had a positive working relationship with local law enforcement.
I am coming to the table with not just the experience, but the character and temperament that is needed in our court. The endorsements I have are largely judicial endorsements from judges that I have practiced in front of and can attest to my preparedness and passion.
Q: How can you assure voters that you will bring a sense of trust and accountability to the court?
Martin: I pledge to the voters that as their next district court judge, I would continue to act as I have during my more than 21 years as an attorney by being courteous, respectful and staying current in changes to the laws and court rules. Further, I assure the voters that I recognize and appreciate the value and importance of being entrusted with their vote and I will remain mindful of the weight of that responsibility by faithfully performing my duties. Finally, I have strived to live a life that is worthy of the sacrifices that my parents made to provide the best possible upbringing for my sisters and I and would continue to honor them by keeping my promise to serve the voters in the manner that is expected and demanded for the office that I seek.
Taylor: I can assure voters that I will bring a sense of trust and accountability because I have built my legal career on trust and accountability. One can tell a tree by the fruit that it bears. The fruit in my life is plentiful. I am deeply committed to fairness and justice; however, I know that I am only one person. Through my work with Wayne State University, I have provided internships to many students, teaching them what it is like to be a lawyer. I am vested in a strong legal community.
Voters can be assured that I will bring a sense of trust because I have run, and will continue to run, a clean race. I don’t want any position that requires a compromising of my integrity. Throughout this race I have been faced with negative anonymous mailings sent in a poor attempt to dissuade voters from supporting my campaign. I want voters to know and trust that when I am on the bench, I will not be swayed by political pressure, but instead, grounded in the law.
Parrott’s trial on domestic violence charge set Jan. 14-15
Belleville Area Independent
October 15, 2020
35th District Court Judge James A. Plakas set a jury trial for Jan. 14-15 for 34th District Court Judge David M. Parrott on a charge of domestic violence.
Although the charge was generated in the 34th District Court venue, the case was transferred to the 35th District Court in Plymouth since Judge Parrott was a sitting judge at 34th. He has since taken a leave from his bench and subsequently was removed by the Supreme Court until charges are settled.
Parrott lost a bid for reelection in the August primary and will no longer be a judge by the time he goes to trial.
On Monday afternoon, Judge Parrott was present with his defense attorney Heather Nalley for a pretrial exam before Judge Plakas.
Parrott is charged with domestic violence against his live-in girlfriend in his home in Van Buren Township on Feb. 8. She called 911 and VBT Police arrived at the home and interviewed her with body cam recording the session.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Tara Hindelang told Judge Plakas that the two officers describing the injuries and body cam footage would not be admissible if the complaining witness does not come to trial.
“If the complainant appears at trial, it allows me to use police testimony and body cam,” Hindelang said.
Nalley cited law indicating that would not be just automatic.
She said this complainant has a pattern of behavior when intoxicated and she lashes out. Nalley said the woman’s statement doesn’t correspond with what was found and she was making it out to be her client’s fault.
After she sobered up, the complainant keeps saying, “Those things that I said happened, didn’t happen,” Nalley said.
Nalley said the complainant said she pulled down the drapes and cut her hand and the drapes hit her head.
When asked how long after the incident she said these things, Nalley said it was months afterward, and she retracted her statements with sobriety.
Nalley said the whole thing has been prolonged by COVID-19.
Nalley said the complainant had tried to make it look like her client was an “historic abuser of women.”
She said the defense will use MRE 404.b for other bad-act evidence that shows when intoxicated she is impulsive, erratic, and violent. These types of behavior would come out with 404.b, she said.
She asked the Judge Plakas to allow this in evidence that is cumulative.
Nalley said the body cam relies on whether she would or would not appear.
Prosecutor Hindelang said this goes well beyond the scope. She said the complainant said “I didn’t file a false report” when asked by the investigator if she wanted to drop the charge.
She is reluctant to go forward because she doesn’t want to cause problems for his job, Hindelang said. She called 911 to stop the assault and she probably means she’s scared and wants the abuse to end, Hindelang said.
Judge Plakas said everyone responds to stress differently and domestic violence cases tend to be “ugly and dirty” because it is between the parties.
“I have all the respect for the prosecutor’s office, but on Fridays domestic violence cases are dismissed again and again and again” because the complainant doesn’t testify, he said.
He said the prosecutor’s office dug its heels in on this case and no complainant has shown up. He said to him a case is a living, breathing thing and he doesn’t want to make decisions in advance.
“If she is not showing up and nothing is coming in” it’s one thing, he said. If she testifies, he’ll have to hear what she says and watch how she says it, he said.
“Some are artful when they testify and some are horrible at it,” Judge Plakas said. He repeated the baggage that comes with these cases are “messy and dirty.”
He said earlier in his career he prosecuted domestic violence cases because the prosecutor’s office didn’t want to do it and, “I got dragged into people’s personal lives. It’s very unpleasant.”
Judge Plakas said reluctant witnesses happen every time he takes the bench, but he is willing to sign a witness detainer for those not willing to testify.
He complimented the defense attorney and the prosecutor: “It’s good to see you argue zealously, yet in a respectful manner.”
Hindelang said there was the 911 call that said David Parrott assaulted her. She said that the complainant is not partial to this thing and it’s the State of Michigan vs. David Parrott.
Hindelang said at the first pretrial the complainant did appear at the courthouse, but she wouldn’t come into the courtroom.
Hindelang said 404.b is not relative to the case here and she is not trying to enter Parrott’s drunk driving arrest because it is not admissible.
“I don’t know what will be said … What will evolve from the questions,” Judge Plakas said. “I won’t say these things won’t come in … and every two seconds there will be a sidebar with me.”
He said some cases are clean and swift and others are not.
“I’ll listen to anything you want to say,” Judge Plakas said to the attorneys. “I need to make my decision based on what comes out of evidence. When you need time to think, that’s when it gets to be fun.”
He said he remembered as a prosecutor pretending to pause to write things down when he really needed the time to think of a question to ask.
When they agreed they were ready for trial, Judge Plakas said selecting of a jury would be first, with some in the courtroom and some across the hall. He said all trials are on a Thursday and a Friday and there is only one trial a week.
The trial was set for Jan. 14 and 15. He presented a pretrial order for everything needed to the court by 10 days before trial, including list of witnesses, list of evidence, and jury instructions. If there is video or audio as evidence, they are to contact the court IT person to make sure it is compatible with court equipment.
People Of The State Of Michigan v David Mark Parrots
Opinion - Trial court's decision to include Judge Parrott's statements at time of arrest
State Of Michigan Court Of Appeals
February 04, 2021
During pretrial proceedings, defendant filed a motion in limine to preclude the prosecution from introducing evidence that defendant “wanted to ‘get out of’ getting arrested by informing the law enforcement officers/others at the scene that he [wa]s a court officer or even a judge in the Wayne County area.” In his motion, defendant noted that evidence supported that he had displayed a “badge.”...
Thus, it appears that the district court held that defendant’s statements and actions at the scene—including displaying his badge—are admissible...
We conclude that, contrary to defendant’s assertions, his statements and actions are relevant to proving his consciousness of guilt. In this case, a jury could infer from defendant’s conduct that defendant knew he was unlawfully operating a vehicle while under the influence. Defendant’s conduct and statements could also support an argument that he was attempting to curry favor with law enforcement and influence the investigation’s outcome to avoid arrest. Therefore, we conclude that defendant’s conduct of displaying his badge and his statement whether “something could be done” are relevant...
Defendant’s prearrest statement and conduct are also admissible under MRE 403...Thus, trial court did not abuse its discretion. Affirmed.
Former judge David Parrott loses appeal in drunk driving case
Click On Detroit
February 8, 2021
Former southeast Michigan judge David Parrott loses appeal in drunk driving case
Video footage captured drunk driving arrest
Click On Detroit
February 8, 2021
DETROIT – Former southeast Michigan judge, David Parrott, is fighting to the bitter end to remake Michigan drunk driving law.
A Manistee County sheriff’s deputy arrested Parrott over the holidays in 2018 on drunk driving charges. To this day the case remains unresolved.
This may be the most hotly contested misdemeanor drunk driving case in the state’s history.
The prosecution stalled while Parrott appeals his legal theory. One that could require changing the drunk driving evidence rules.
A three person appeals panel gave that a thumbs down on Friday. Christmas night 2018, former judge Parrott’s car mired in a snowy ditch after missing a turn.
A tow truck driver called the sheriff’s office believing Parrott was drunk. The officer’s body camera showed the breathalyzer at the heart of his appeal.
“Ok sir, you’re a .10. so, you’ve had something to drink,” said an officer featured in the video.
Parrott was heard responding, “It must have been in the Christmas punch, I didn’t realize that.”
The appeal paperwork shows the then judge flashed his officer of the court badge trying to avoid arrest and a blood test.
The blood test taken an hour or so later showed a .15 blood alcohol level.
Parrott’s appeal theory attempts to have the breathalyzer results included in his prosecution because he has an expert who will say his blood alcohol level was rising throughout the night, but was below .08 when he put his car in the ditch.
But the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled on Friday there are specific times when a breathalyzer is admissible and this case didn’t meet the standard giving the thumbs down to Parrott’s appeal.
The court pointed out breathalyzers aren’t included and sometimes not particularly reliable.
So what’s next?
Judge Parrott’s attorney Mike Nichols of Lansing told Local 4 News they are now going to take this case to the Michigan Supreme Court.
That means the prosecution of his drunk driving case will remain on hold.
He was last in Manistee County on this case just about a year ago.
Domestic violence charge against Parrott dismissed by prosecutor
Belleville Area Independent
September 30, 2021
On Sept. 23, 35th District Court Judge James A. Plakas dismissed a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence against former 34th District Court Judge David Parrott of Van Buren Township, at the request of the prosecuting attorney.
Judge Parrott was scheduled for a jury trial, but that was removed from the calendar because the complaining witness would not testify.
Parrott, who was in his 18th year on the bench, was charged with one count of domestic violence on Feb. 8, 2020 in Van Buren Township. His case was transferred to the 35th District Court to avoid a conflict of interest since the actual venue of 34th District Court was where Parrott was a sitting judge.
He had been free on $2,500 personal bond. Judge Plakas signed the order of acquittal/dismissal.
Parrott’s original attorney, Robert Coutts, withdrew from the case and ran for Parrott’s seat in the 2020 election. Parrott was then represented by Heather Nalley.
Parrott was charged with domestic violence against his live-in girlfriend in his condo in Van Buren Township on Feb. 8. She called 911 and VBT Police arrived at the home and interviewed her with body cam recording the session.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Tara Hindelang told Judge Plakas that the two officers describing the injuries and body cam footage would not be admissible if the complaining witness does not come to trial.
“If the complainant appears at trial, it allows me to use police testimony and body cam,” Hindelang said.
On Sept. 23, after the dismissal, Parrott requested the return of his gun collection which had been confiscated by the Van Buren Township Police but was denied because his Dec. 25, 2018 misdemeanor drunk driving charge in Manistee County is still pending.
Parrott ends Manistee County court case with no-contest plea
Belleville Area Independent
May 19, 2022
Former 34th District Court Judge David M. Parrott ended his 2018 misdemeanor case in Manistee County with a no-contest plea on May 3.
The original charge was operating while intoxicated, a 93-day misdemeanor. He pled no-contest to the 93-day misdemeanor of operating while being visibly impaired, which carries less severe consequences with the Secretary of State’s office.
Parrott, 62, was sentenced to two days jail time with credit for two days served, as well as fines and costs totaling $926.
Jordan Miller, Manistee County chief assistant prosecutor, said that given Parrott was subjected to pretrial release conditions for two-plus years while his case worked its way through the appellate system, the judge declined to impose a term of probation.
Among the conditions of Parrott’s pretrial was the wearing of a Soberlink Remote Alcohol Monitoring device. A Soberlink device is a portable breathalyzer that requires the user to blow into the device up to four times a day and the results are transmitted and monitored by the probation department, Miller said.
Parrott was also subjected to standard conditions of pretrial release, including restrictions on his ability to travel out of state. He also attended outpatient alcohol treatment during the case.
Parrott’s case had been put on hold in Manistee’s 85th District Court until the appeals court decision was announced.
It was on hold again until the Michigan Supreme Court considered and on Dec. 22, 2021 denied his application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeals ruling.
When all his appeals were exhausted, a pretrial was set for March 23 at the district court, putting the case back in movement.
A domestic violence charge filed against him by his girlfriend on Feb. 8, 2020 in Van Buren Township was dismissed by 35th District Court Judge James Plakas in Plymouth on a motion of the prosecution on Sept. 23, 2021.
Parrott lost his bid for reelection in 2020, weeks after he was suspended by the Michigan Supreme Court.
He recently said he had retired from the practice of law.
