LANSING — State Rep. Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights) hosted the Honorable Douglas P. Shepherd of the 41A District Court tonight for Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State address.

“I am very pleased to have Judge Shepherd join me in Lansing tonight to hear the governor’s plan for our state,” said Yanez. “Judge Shepherd is very active in our community, especially with high school students through the Judges United with Students and Teachers (J.U.S.T.) program that he founded. I’m excited to have my colleagues meet Judge Shepherd and hear about how he is educating our students about the judicial system and the consequences of criminal behavior.”

Yanez asked Judge Shepherd to join him for the speech in recognition of his many years of service on the court and for his service to the community. The 41A District Court serves the communities of Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and Utica. He has served as judge since 2000. Before that, he practiced law for nearly 20 years in Sterling Heights.