ABOUT MICHELLE
Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in the Spring of 1995. After completing her undergraduate studies, Michelle knew she wanted to pursue a career in law. She attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated cum laude with her Juris Doctorate in January 2001. While in law school, Michelle interned at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s office and got a jump start on her career.
After graduating, she spent a brief time in the Cass County Prosecutor’s Officer working as an Assistant Prosecutor, primarily on the misdemeanor criminal caseload. In February of 2003, Michelle began working in the Clare County Prosecutor’s Office as Chief Assistant Prosecutor. Throughout her three years in this role, she was responsible for managing staff under the direction of the Prosecuting Attorney, managing the misdemeanor criminal caseload, and representing the Department of Health and Human Services in child protective proceedings.
In March of 2006, Michelle started the Law Office of Michelle J. Ambrozaitis. Taking the valuable experience and insight she had gained throughout her time in the Cass and Clare County Prosecutor's Offices, Michelle chose to spend two years in private practice. During this time, she focused on criminal defense, representing children and parents in child protective proceedings, and some civil work.
In November of 2008, Michelle was elected to serve as the Prosecuting Attorney in Clare County. Michelle has remained in this role for the past fifteen years. Michelle is responsible for managing a full caseload and performing all administrative duties of the position. Throughout her time, she has implemented an abundance of changes including drawing a “hard on crime” line, updating the file retention system, improving case tracking, and reallocating duties. She also wrote for and was awarded three separate federal grants which focused on addressing violent crime and the opioid epidemic in Clare County.
In addition to her legal practice, Michelle taught criminal law to students preparing to enter the police academy at Mid-Michigan College from 2004 to 2012. She also provided legal instruction for a concealed pistol licensing class from 2006 to 2017 for the Liberty Defense Team.
While Michelle excels in her legal career, and continues her legal education, she is also an active member of many community organizations. In addition to being licensed to practice in both Michigan and Pennsylvania, she is a member of the National District Attorney Association and the Michigan State Bar Association. She is a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids and serves on many community panel discussions regarding criminal law. She has also served as a sponsor to the Clare County Fair since 2015.
Michelle is committed to serving her community and looks forward to the ability to continue to serve in a new role, as a 55th Circuit Court Judge for Clare and Gladwin counties.
Michelle's Plan
Individuals with mental illnesses routinely fall through the cracks within the criminal justice system, as it is not equipped to handle individuals with mental illness. Michelle Ambrozaitis plans to explore the establishment of a mental health court in Clare and Gladwin counties.
A mental health court would divert select criminal defendants with mental illnesses into a judicially supervised, community-based treatment program. Operating similar to the already established Recovery Court in the 80th District Court, a team of court staff, mental health professionals, and other partner members would work together to develop treatment plans and supervise the participants. This mental health court would be comprised of a broad-based group of stakeholders in the criminal justice system, the mental health system, substance abuse treatment system, law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.
The efficacy of these types of courts is irrefutable. Studies, such as those from Michigan, show the continued success of problem-solving courts in rehabilitating offenders. For example, Michigan's problem-solving courts have demonstrated remarkable outcomes, as highlighted in a report from the Michigan Supreme Court. These courts have helped reduce recidivism and have been proven to assist in the rehabilitation process for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Source
Grant funding through the State Court Administrator’s office is available. Ambrozaitis would utilize her knowledge of writing for and administering federal grants to apply for the funding for this specialty court.