DEARBORN — Judge Richard Wygonik of Dearborn has been named as Chief Judge of Dearborn’s 19th District Court by the Michigan Supreme Court for a two year term beginning on January 1, 2012.

Wygonik will also serve as the presiding officer of the court and carry out its administrative duties beginning next year while representing the court at public functions and serving as its spokesman. The chief judge serves without any additional compensation. 

“I am pleased to have earned the confidence of the Michigan Supreme Court and of my legal peers. As Chief Judge of the 19th District Court, I will work to maintain an environment that protects the rights of those who appear before the courts,” Wygonik said.

Wygonik will replace current Chief Judge Mark W. Somers in the court, which is one of the busiest in Michigan with over 70,000 cases adjudicated annually.

Wygonik was appointed to the bench in 2005. Dearborn voters retained him for a full six-year term in November 2006.

The process of selecting a new Chief Judge happens every two years, with the three judges including William Hultgren deciding among themselves and recommending one for the position, according to court administrator Gary Dodge. 

The Chief Judge will also have the ability to select a Pro Tem for the court. Somers has been Chief Judge for six years according to Dodge.