Are these the three toughest judges in America?
NBC's "Inside Edition" asked the question and Local 4 reached out to the judges who offered the following responses:
Judge Vonda Evans, 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County:
One of the most enjoyable parts of being a judge is to help people who have given up on themselves realize that the seeds to your greatest blessings come after your biggest storm.
If I have to be remembered for one thing it's that I tried to make a positive change in this community by trying to change the lives of those I came in contact with who appeared before me as a judge.
Watch: Judge Vonda Evans talks about personal struggles, Bashara case
Judge Shannon Holmes, 36th District Court:
It is an honor to serve the people of the City of Detroit as a judge. Serving in the judiciary has given me the opportunity to touch lives in ways that I never imagined. As a judge, I'm required to be fair, impartial and unbiased in all matters.
This does not mean that I lack the ability to be human. When I put on my robe, I attempt to conceal the fact that I am a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. What I'm not able to conceal is the compassion that I have for each person who enters my courtroom, irrespective of the circumstances.
I hope that people will truly hear the underlying message in every case that comes before me. The message is that we need to love each other, respect differences in opinions, and value the lives of every
Judge Qiana Denise Lillard, 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County:
It is my pleasure to serve the citizens of Wayne County as a judge in the Third Circuit Court Criminal Division at The Frank Murphy Hall of Justice where I preside over felony trials and district court appeals. I am also member of the Criminal Division Drug Court team handling cases from both the Urban Drug Court and Adult Drug Court programs.