On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission filed a complaint against 23rd District Court Judge Joseph D. Slaven of Taylor, alleging multiple instances of unprofessional conduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Joseph D. Slaven,” with case number 108.
The 14-page document accuses Slaven of making derogatory public statements about the chief judge and court staff, secretly recording conversations, and using his courtroom to promote a friend’s judicial campaign.
The complaint details that Slaven recorded private discussions with Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford in 2021 and 2022 without her consent. On November 5, 2021, when Shackelford asked if he was recording, Slaven allegedly denied it, despite evidence to the contrary. The commission also claims Slaven provided false information to its staff during their investigation into certain allegations.
Further, the complaint highlights Slaven’s public criticism of colleagues. In April 2022, while Shackelford was running for a judicial position, Slaven posted on Facebook, referring to court employees supporting her as “simple-minded buffoons” who “lie” and “twist things,” identifying them by their initials.
During a Zoom hearing on October 11, 2023, which was livestreamed, Slaven criticized the court administrator, stating she “thinks she can make my docket better than I can” and “can’t even do her goddamn job.”
On November 20, 2023, in another livestreamed Zoom hearing, he targeted Shackelford, saying, “I’m sorry that you can’t handle your docket. I’m sorry you don’t know the law. I’m sorry the court rules seem to be somewhat of a foreign language,” adding that the public should know about “people who are in certain positions” being incompetent.
The complaint also alleges Slaven misused his courtroom to campaign for Michael Tinney, a friend running for a judicial position in the 23rd District Court. In April 2022, during a Law Day event, Slaven displayed a sign in his courtroom with Tinney’s name. On October 11, 2023, during a break in a livestreamed Zoom session, he publicly endorsed Tinney. On other occasions, he mentioned Tinney’s name in court. Additionally, on September 21, 2024, Slaven allegedly used courthouse resources to print 160 copies of a document titled “Mike Tinney is a Man of the People.”
The Michigan Supreme Court will now appoint a master to conduct a hearing on the allegations. Following the hearing, the master will submit proposed findings to the Judicial Tenure Commission, which will then recommend an action to the Supreme Court. Possible outcomes range from censure to suspension or removal from the bench, though the commission could also recommend no action. The Supreme Court will make the final decision.
Slaven, who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1994 with dual bachelor’s degrees and later from the University of Detroit School of Law, has served as a judge since January 1, 2015.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
