On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Disciplinary Counsel filed a brief in support of the Master’s findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding Judge Joseph Slaven of the 23rd District Court in Taylor, Michigan. The brief, submitted to the Judicial Tenure Commission, addresses allegations of misconduct outlined in a twelve-count amended complaint. Judge Slaven resigned from his position the day before the public hearing was scheduled to begin.

The allegations against Judge Slaven were deemed admitted after he failed to appear for a public hearing on November 10, 2025, as per Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 9.233(B)(1). The Master’s opinion was issued on December 1, 2025, prompting the Disciplinary Counsel to file a brief supporting the Master’s report, as authorized by MCR 9.240.

The counts against Slaven include a range of alleged misconduct, such as making false statements about a recorded conversation, using his judicial position to aid a political candidate, displaying inappropriate demeanor and disrespect, sending disrespectful emails, disregarding the law regarding the wearing of a robe, concealing his face on Zoom calls, exhibiting disrespectful behavior concerning a security camera, interfering with Zoom staff, knowingly driving with an expired and obliterated license plate, and making false statements to the commission and regarding judicial liability insurance.

The Disciplinary Counsel’s brief emphasizes the severity and pattern of Judge Slaven’s alleged actions. It argues that Slaven lied to his chief judge about recording her, misrepresented his situation to his insurance company regarding the Commission’s investigation, and provided false denials to the Commission itself. He is also accused of obstructing the chief judge’s administration, disrespecting court staff, and misusing court resources for political purposes.

In assessing potential sanctions, the Disciplinary Counsel referred to the criteria outlined by the Michigan Supreme Court in In re Brown. They argued that Slaven’s misconduct demonstrated a pattern of behavior, occurred both on and off the bench, and created an appearance of impropriety. The brief also notes that the misconduct was premeditated and deliberate.

In light of these findings and the potential for Slaven to seek judicial office in the future, the Disciplinary Counsel urges the Commission to recommend a specific course of action to the Supreme Court. The recommendation is that Judge Slaven be conditionally suspended for a period of six years. This suspension would only take effect should he be elected or appointed to another judicial position within that six-year timeframe. The Disciplinary Counsel argues that this measure is necessary to prevent Slaven from holding judicial office, citing his demonstrated unfitness to serve.

This recommendation is grounded in the cumulative effect of Slaven’s misconduct, which the Disciplinary Counsel asserts is comparable to that of Judges Theresa Brennan, Byron Konschuh, and Khalilia Davis, all of whom faced similar conditional suspensions.

The brief concludes by requesting that the Commission adopt the Master’s report, affirming that Slaven committed the misconduct as charged in the amended complaint. It further requests that the Commission formally recommend the conditional six-year suspension to the Supreme Court, contingent upon Slaven’s future return to the bench.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.