Pubdate: Fri, 15 Nov 2002
Source: Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI)
Copyright: 2002 The Traverse City Record-Eagle
Contact:  http://www.record-eagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1336
Author: Patrick Sullivan
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2097/a04.html

JUDGE TO ENTER REHAB PROGRAM 

When District Judge Thomas Gilbert Returns To Work, He May Be Limited To
Hearing Civil Cases 

TRAVERSE CITY - District Judge Thomas Gilbert, who has admitted smoking
marijuana at a Rolling Stones concert in Detroit last month, will enter a
28-day rehabilitation program for alcohol abuse.

Judge Michael Haley, the 86th District Court's chief judge, said Gilbert's
decision to enter the program followed an assessment by a licensed alcohol
treatment counselor who advised Gilbert to enter the program.

Gilbert has been on voluntary leave since Nov. 6, two days after he admitted
to Haley and District Judge Thomas J. Phillips that he smoked marijuana at
the concert.

"I hope the community would understand that Judge Gilbert is taking a very
serious approach to a very serious problem," Haley said. "Alcohol treatment
is not casual or comfortable or cushy."

Haley earlier said that use of alcohol may have led to Gilbert's decision to
take two puffs from a marijuana cigarette as it was passed along a row of
people at the concert at Ford Field on Oct. 12.

An unidentified Elk Rapids woman reported to the court that she witnessed
Gilbert smoke marijuana at the concert.

Gilbert's decision to enter the out-of-state rehabilitation program will
extend his leave from the bench until at least Dec. 16.

Retired District Judge James McCormick said he has agreed to act as a
temporary visiting judge for the court for 2½ weeks. McCormick's assignment
to the court is pending approval from the State Court Administrator's
Office.

Haley has said that when Gilbert returns to work, he may be limited to
hearing only civil cases for a period of time and that if he eventually
hears criminal cases he may be precluded from hearing marijuana cases.

Gilbert is two years into a four-year term at the district court, which
encompasses Grand Traverse, Antrim and Leelanau counties.
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