Attorney General Denied Special Hearing in Same Sex Marriage Case
(Crystal A. Proxmire, April 29, 2014)
While over 300 legally-married same-sex couples wait in limbo for their marriages to be recognized, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that that the appeal must go through the traditional appeals process.
Attorney General Bill 
Schuette petitioned the court for an “en banc” hearing, which would mean an expedited hearing before the full Court of Appeals. Typically appeals are heard by a three-judge panel. Schuette argued that because the case involved voting rights it warranted special treatment, including a hearing before all 15 justices.
However the Court disagreed, and the case will continue to move forward on schedule. In DeBoer v. Snyder, a Hazel Park lesbian couple won the right to marry and thus jointly adopt their children. While the couple decided to hold off until after the appeals process, over couples were able to obtain legal marriage licenses in the four counties where county clerks made the effort to do so: Oakland, Washtenaw, Ingham and Muskegon. Governor Rick Snyder stated publicly that those marriages are legal, but that the State would not recognize them until after the matter has been settled by the courts.
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit on behalf of some of the couples demanding
recognition of those marriages, and the DeBoer case continues. The appeals process could take months to years.
According to The Detroit News, “Joy Yearout, a spokeswoman for Schuette, said Monday night: “We’re prepared to move forward with a hearing before the panel of three judges. … As we have said all along, we expect this question to ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. We hope to see a resolution as soon as possible.”For previous stories on this case, see:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/14/aclu-sues-michigan-to-recognize-marriages-of-same-sex-couples/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/28/federal-government-recognizes-michigan-same-sex-marriages/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/27/senators-and-reps-ask-us-ag-to-recognize-michigan-gay-marriages/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/26/state-wont-recognize-same-sex-marriages-made-over-weekend/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/24/state-spent-40000-on-testimony-in-deboer-case-plans-appeal-2/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/22/first-gay-marriages-in-michigan-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/22/same-sex-marriages-put-on-hold-as-temporary-stay-is-granted/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/21/judge-rules-gay-marriage-ban-struck-down/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/29/treasury-recognizes-all-same-sex-marriages-for-tax-purposes-2/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/02/01/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-cases-explained/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/02/24/hazel-park-couples-week-in-court-begins/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/27/hazel-park-case-could-pave-the-way-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/03/09/judge-decides-to-wait-on-adoption-gay-marriage-decision-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/05/demonstrators-try-to-stay-warm-while-states-
case-runs-cold/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/02/ferndalians-channel-leaders-past-spread-love-in-hopes-for-equality-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/02/opponents-to-equality-make-big-showing-in-support-biblical-marriage/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/02/08/ultimate-lgbt-wedding-expo-comes-to-southfield-april-12/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/10/05/wayne-county-prosecutor-kym-worthy-steps-up-to-support-hazel-park-couple-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/24/clerk-brings-in-new-lawyers-to-defend-in-hazel-park-couples-case/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/02/hazel-park-lesbian-couples-case-moves-forward/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/28/strikes-down-michigan-domestic-partner-health-care-ban/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/26/reaction-to-gay-marriage-rulings/
