In March of 2002, Judge Kevin Robbins, a native Detroiter and cancer survivor, was appointed as Judge of the 36^th District Court.  In 2002 and 2006, Judge Robbins was elected and re-elected by the citizens of Detroit.

Judge Robbins believes that through the fair administration of justice, proactive mentoring programs and education today’s youth will be better equipped to become productive community leaders rather than jail or prison inmates. 

Immediately after his appointment, Judge Robbins developed and implemented the nationally known and highly successful   “Judge Robbins’ Man-to-Man Program”.  The program featured monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions with at risk defendants, primarily males, between the ages of 17-25 with non-violent misdemeanors. During the sessions, short and long term goals were defined and set.   Mothers and guardians were also invited to attend quarterly status conferences to discus social and behavioral issues within the household.   Program participants were issued a membership card and were required to take the following pledge: “I pledge to refuse to lose to the streets.  I am committed to supporting my family and claiming my status as a righteous community leader “.   Many participates obtained a valid driver’s license for the first time, graduated from high school or obtained a GED and developed better relationships with their mothers.

In January of 2005, Judge Robbins was appointed by Chief Judge Marylin Atkins to preside over the 36^th District Court Drug Treatment Court with Judge Leonia J. LLoyd.  The mission of Drug Treatment Courts in the United States is to reduce the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs and reduce recidivism in the drug-related criminal activity.  In 2006, our drug treatment court was named by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals as the ”Second Best Drug Treatment Court in the Nation”.

In June of 2005, by the authority of the Michigan Supreme Court, the Third Judicial Circuit Court for Wayne County selected Judge Robbins to preside over the Felony Pre-Examination docket located in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.  This docket was developed in 1998 to expedite the criminal justice system for non-capital felony cases that occur in Detroit.  Judge Robbins sits as both a district court Judge and a circuit court Judge simultaneously to resolve many cases in one courtroom without the necessity of additional hearings, trials or court appearances.   He has been reappointed five times to this position.

In 2006, Judge Robbins was appointed to preside as a Third Judicial Circuit Court Drug Treatment Court Judge.

 In 2009, Judge Robbins implemented an intervention program in his courtroom called "Off the Streets and On the Ball".   This program targets high risk young men between the ages of 17-21 who are on probation to Judge Robbins where there is a high probability of them being sentenced to prison for a probation violation.  This program utilizes group mentoring and counseling by probation agents and former long-term prison inmates.  The mission of this program is to enlighten these young men as to the perils of prison life and to persuade them to refrain from committing additional crimes.  "Off the Streets and On the Ball" was originally developed by prisoners in the Michigan Department of Corrections as a re-entry program for inmates scheduled to be released back into society.   

Prior to taking the Bench, Judge Robbins practiced law for 18 years as a trial attorney for the City of Detroit Law Department, Kmart Corporation and the Detroit Public Schools. He also served as a case evaluator for the Wayne County Mediation Tribunal and The Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association.  Judge Robbins was an adjunct instructor for Davenport University and an arbitrator for the City of Detroit Law Department.   

Judge Robbins is a graduate of Duffield Elementary School, Miller Junior High School, and Cass Technical High School.  He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and received his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Judge Robbins is married to Juanita Robbins and proud father of three; son Landon and twin daughters Aubrie and Averie. He is a member of Greater Christ Baptist Church and a mentor for the Anointed Men of God Mentoring Program.

Special recognitions: KARMANOS HOPE 2011 Calendar/magazine cover story “The value of a colonoscopy” (2011); The Thomas M. Cooley Law School Magazine “Benchmark” cover story. “Judging Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s Future” (2008); Jackets for Jobs, Inc Community Service Award (2004); Detroit City Council Spirit of Detroit Award (2003); Operation Reach Back, Inc. Orby Award for Distinguished Community Service (2002).