Tom Siver Introduction Speech
Siver Outlines Program If Elected
Why I am Running
My name is Tom Siver. I am 49 years old and have practiced law for more nearly 20 years. I am running to be your next 57th District Court Judge here in Allegan County. There are currently two District Court races in Allegan County. The former seat of Judge Skocelas is open as he has aged out; Heidi Wolf and Tim Slais are running for that position. I am not involved in that race at all.
The other seat is open because Judge Baillargeon retired. That is the seat I am running for — and I am running against Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s appointee. I believe Allegan County voters, not Governor Whitmer should decide who holds this office.
I want to be very clear: I am the only candidate in this race with real, major litigation experience.
Who I am
I was raised with strong values. My grandfather was a Pentecostal minister. My father, a Marine, trained me as an attorney for 13 years. I believe life begins at conception. I am a lifetime member of the NRA and am a strict constitutionalist. I believe in the Rule of Law.
For over 8 years, I served as the municipal attorney for the City of Greenville, Michigan, working primarily in the District Court. I understand this court. I understand the people who come before it. And I understand what is at stake. My most notable case was the defense of Michael Null, who was accused in connection with the alleged plot to kidnap the Governor Gretchen Whitmer. I spent 47 days in trial against the FBI, and the jury returned a not guilty verdict for my client in just six hours.
Whether someone likes that case or not is not the point. The point is this: I did my job.
If Elected
If the people of Allegan County elect me in November, I will do my job from the bench — faithfully, fairly, and with a deep commitment to this community. District Court is often the first place where citizens encounter the justice system. It is the entry-level court, and that matters. At that level, there is a real opportunity to change lives before problems become bigger, more expensive, and more destructive.
I believe the role of the District Court is not only to hold people accountable, but to do so with grace, compassion, dignity, and common sense. We must use the tools available to us to help people correct their behavior, rebuild their lives, become employable, support their families, and contribute to Allegan County.
My Program: GO NEXT
That is why I have developed five initiatives under a program I call: GO NEXT
This program is designed to save taxpayer resources, reduce court costs, strengthen accountability, and provide real assistance to our citizens.
G- GED or Jail
If a person pleads guilty or is found guilty, they can either accept the normal penalty or choose a structured path toward earning their GED. If they miss class without good cause, they spend the weekend in jail. If they drop out of the program, they serve the balance of their sentence.
This is not about being soft. This is about being smart. This program helps citizens add value to their own lives while also helping create a trained workforce for local employers. That makes Allegan County stronger, more attractive to business, and better positioned for growth.
O- Operation Drive
The 44th and 54A District Courts are already running programs like this, and Allegan County should be doing the same.
Operation Drive would help non-alcohol-related offenders resolve issues like parking tickets, speeding tickets, and child support matters. In many cases, people do not need excuses. They need guidance. They need help understanding how to get on a payment plan, how to get legal again, and how to get back to work. When people cannot drive legally, they often cannot work. When they cannot work, they cannot pay fines, support children, or move forward.
N- Night Court
We need to meet people at the same time many of them first met law enforcement: at night. Night Court would use Zoom technology. We can record the hearing, allow Zoom to transcribe it, and avoid the need to open the courthouse, bring in staff, or require officers to come in on their time off. This saves overtime. It keeps officers on the road. It protects their family time. And it keeps our communities safer. If someone wants to exercise their constitutional right to confront a witness in person, absolutely — we will see them at 8:15 the next morning when the courthouse opens.
This is about respecting the Constitution while also respecting taxpayer dollars, law enforcement resources, and common sense.If a person pleads guilty or is found guilty, they can either accept the normal penalty or choose a structured path toward earning their GED. If they miss class without good cause, they spend the weekend in jail. If they drop out of the program, they serve the balance of their sentence.
This is not about being soft. This is about being smart. This program helps citizens add value to their own lives while also helping create a trained workforce for local employers. That makes Allegan County stronger, more attractive to business, and better positioned for growth.
EX - Expungement Clinics
Four times a year, we will hold expungement clinics to teach citizens how to clear eligible, non-alcohol-related offenses from their records. This could save people $800 to $1,200 in legal fees. More importantly, it can help them get better jobs, better housing, and a better future. When we help people remove old barriers, we help them become productive citizens again.The 44th and 54A District Courts are already running programs like this, and Allegan County should be doing the same.
Operation Drive would help non-alcohol-related offenders resolve issues like parking tickets, speeding tickets, and child support matters. In many cases, people do not need excuses. They need guidance. They need help understanding how to get on a payment plan, how to get legal again, and how to get back to work. When people cannot drive legally, they often cannot work. When they cannot work, they cannot pay fines, support children, or move forward.
T- Treatment Courts
We will build and maintain strong treatment courts in Allegan County. That includes alcohol and narcotics treatment court, veterans court, and mental health court. Veterans matter. PTSD is real. I know that firsthand because I grew up with a Marine father who was also an attorney.
And when someone is emotionally distraught, we cannot simply let them walk out of a courtroom alone and unsupported.
We need to wrap our arms around people when they are at their lowest point and connect them with help before it is too late.
That is what justice should look like: accountability, compassion, structure, and action.
My name is Tom Siver.
Siver is spelled like silver, but without the “L.”
S-I-V-E-R.
I am asking for your support, your confidence, and your vote this November. Together, we can bring experience, constitutional values, accountability, compassion, and real leadership to the 57th District Court.
Thank you for your time and I would appreciate your support.
