The Mission Statement of the 38^th Judicial District Court is to ensure the prompt and fair adjudication of all cases and to improve public confidence in the Courts through accessibility, communication and education.

Judge Carl Gerds was elected district judge in November 2008 and began his first six-year term on January 1, 2009. Prior to his election to the bench, he worked in private practice for 30 years.

Judge Gerds is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association and Michigan District Judges Association. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Detroit and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Judge Gerds has been married to Roslyn for 35 years and they have three children, Jenna, Bethany and Caitlin. A resident of Eastpointe for thirty years Judge Gerds has a long record of civic community involvement, Past Eastpointe Mayor Pro Tem, twice elected to Eastpointe City Council, former member of 8 Mile-Kelly Homeowners Association, current member and past presidents of Eastpointe Chamber of Commerce and former member Eastpointe Senior Citizen Advisory Commission.