Births And Court Cases Down In Branch County

COLDWATER (WTVB) -- The number of births in Branch County continues to go down. Also on the decline, felony criminal cases taken to Branch County Circuit Court. The figures are part of the County Clerk’s annual report released this week. Three hundred and sixty-six births were recorded in the county in 2009. That’s down from 385 the year before and 511 in 2007.

As far as criminal cases are concerned, it’s been a major dip downward. One hundred and thirty cases went to the Circuit Court, nearly half the number reported in 2008 and by far, the fewest in a decade. The high point was 310 in 2001.

It’s not known for sure if there’s been less crime in this down economy or more likely a combination of factors, including more of those who are arrested reaching plea agreements, keeping their matters for disposition in district court.