On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Disciplinary Counsel filed a motion with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission to amend a complaint against Twenty-Third District Court Judge Joseph Slaven in Taylor.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Joseph D. Slaven,” with case number 108.
The original complaint, filed on May 28, 2025, outlined allegations of misconduct. The motion seeks to include additional evidence uncovered during an ongoing investigation permitted under Michigan Court Rule 9.22(D).
The amended complaint introduces new allegations of improper conduct by Judge Slaven. It claims he made disparaging remarks about court staff. Additionally, the filing alleges that Slaven acted disrespectfully and in an undignified manner in view of the court’s security cameras.
The motion further accuses the judge of making false statements to the Commission regarding his use of court resources for campaign purposes. Another allegation involves false statements in his application for judicial liability insurance. The amended complaint also asserts that Slaven disregarded instructions from his chief judge and mocked orders issued by the state court administrator.
The motion reflects Disciplinary Counsel’s request to incorporate these new findings into the existing complaint to ensure a comprehensive review of the alleged misconduct.
The Judicial Tenure Commission, responsible for overseeing judicial conduct in Michigan, will determine whether to grant the amendment.
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.
