May 19, 2004
May 19, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of former State Representative and Senator Virgil C. Smith, of Detroit, judge of the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County. He most recently served as division chief of legislation and community outreach in the Wayne County prosecutor's office.
Smith’s illustrious career in public service includes 11 years in the state House of Representatives where he served on many committees overseeing legislation relevant to law, including sitting as chair of the judiciary subcommittee on court reorganization in 1980-81.
Smith was elected to the state Senate in 1988 and was subsequently named senate Democratic floor leader in 1995, serving at that post until his appointment to the Wayne County prosecutor's office in 2001.
"As a representative, a senator, and a prosecutor, Virgil has spent a lifetime serving the people of Michigan," said Granholm. "I know he will continue to serve them well from the bench."
Smith earned his law degree from Wayne State Law School and graduated from Michigan State University. He replaces Judge Kaye Tertzag who retired. Smith's term will expire January 1, 2007.
