Our Judges
Macomb County Adult Drug Court is held twice per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These are our Judges:
Judge Jennifer Faunce
Judge Jennifer M. Faunce was elected to office and began serving her first term January 1, 2003 at the court for Warren and Centerline.
Prior to her terms on the bench, Judge Faunce served as State Representative for Warren and Sterling Heights for four years. During her time at the state house she chaired the Committee on Criminal Justice. One of the most important laws she passed
was a bill that cleared the way for GM to invest $1 billion into the Tech Center. Before her election to the state house, Judge Faunce served as an assistant Macomb County Prosecutor for seven years.
Judge Faunce has continuously given her time to charity throughout her community. In 2001 she was recognized for her work as the recipient of the March of Dimes Macomb Alexander Citizen of the Year. She served as chairman of the board for the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan and is active with Families Exploring Down Syndrome (FEDS).
Judge Faunce was born and raised in Warren. She received her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and her law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law. Judge Faunce and her family are members of St. Martin de Porres Church in Warren. She and her husband live in Warren with their two children.
Judge Joseph Toia
Judge Joseph Toia was appointed to the Macomb County Circuit Court bench on August 10, 2015 by Governor Rick Snyder. He has a general civil / criminal docket and serves as an Adult Drug Court Judge and Alternate Judge for the Veteran's Specialty Court. Judge Toia graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/ Finance degree in 1979. He received his Juris Doctorate from Detroit College of Law (now known as Michigan State College of Law) in 1984. Prior to his
appointment, Judge Toia was in private practice for 31 years. Additionally, he served as the prosecuting attorney for Orion Township in Oakland County. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Macomb County Bar Association and is a former member of the Oakland County Bar Association. Judge Toia served as past president of the Italian American Bar Association of Michigan; as a mediator in the Macomb County Circuit Court; a member of the Judges United with Students and Teachers program; a member of the Michigan Society of Planners; past president and chairman of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan; past president of Kiwanis Club of Utica/Shelby Township; and former chairman of the Shelby Township Planning Commission.
Judge James Biernat Jr., Pro Tem
Judge James M. Biernat, Jr. graduated from Hillsdale College in 1991. In 1997, he received his law degree from University of Detroit Law School.
He was a Commissioner for the 16th District on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners from January 1993 through December 1998. Jim Biernat worked as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office from January 1999 until his appointment to the bench by the Governor in 2011. Jim is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, and the Macomb County Bar Association.