On Monday, February 2, 2026, the first day of a misconduct hearing against Troy District Court Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig commenced, with The Detroit News reporting on the proceedings. The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) is investigating allegations of misconduct both inside and outside the courtroom, prompting the hearing.
JTC Staff Attorney Molly Kettler outlined the JTC’s case, stating that Hartig has allegedly clashed with every chief judge and multiple court administrators, negatively impacting the court’s operations. Kettler stated that Hartig resorts to attacks when her demands are not met, displaying disrespectful behavior. The hearing is anticipated to span approximately one month.
Donald Campbell, Hartig’s attorney, countered that the JTC is misrepresenting Hartig’s actions and subjecting her conduct to excessive scrutiny. He characterized the public complaint as an attempt to humiliate Hartig and force her resignation. Campbell claimed the hearing would reveal malicious and vindictive efforts against his client.
Campbell addressed the timeline of events leading to the hearing. He stated that Hartig’s reform proposals were met with resistance when she was initially elected in 2011. He added that she struggled to gain cooperation from the court administrator, leading her to request intervention from the chief judge, which allegedly resulted in retaliation from the administrator. He also noted that tensions escalated in 2018 following the appointment of a new court administrator, whom he claimed lacked the necessary skills. This led to conflicts, with the administrator accusing Hartig of humiliation in the courtroom.
Kettler referenced psychological testing results indicating Hartig’s potential for an “emerging dementia-type syndrome.” While Kettler did not bring this up in her opening statements, she did mention that testing revealed Hartig’s lack of capacity to perform her judicial duties due to cognitive impairments.
Campbell addressed the psychological evaluations Hartig underwent. Kettler stated that Hartig refused to provide the JTC with the 2024 report. Hartig’s doctor sent a letter to the JTC in June 2024 calling the results “ridiculous” and mentioned some of the findings. The JTC ultimately received the report in December 2024, which deemed her unsafe to practice due to disruptive behavior and personality dysfunction. Kettler stated that Hartig concealed the report and continued to preside as a judge.
Campbell dismissed the notion of any disability, labeling it an attempt to embarrass his client.
Retired circuit court judge Jennifer Mazzuchi is presiding over the misconduct hearing. Following the hearing, Mazzuchi will submit her findings to the Michigan Supreme Court, which will determine if the case merits disciplinary action.
Judge Travis Reeds, the chief judge of the 52nd District Court, issued an administrative order on May 27, removing Hartig from her criminal caseload. Currently, she presides over general civil, landlord-tenant, and small claims cases.
Hartig and Campbell filed a motion in September to dismiss most of the JTC’s complaint, citing legal deficiencies. Hartig was first elected in 2010 and reelected in 2016 and 2022.
Source: The Detroit News
