On Friday, June 20, 2025, 23rd District Court Judge Joseph D. Slaven filed an answer to a public complaint issued by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, addressing allegations of unprofessional and illegal conduct.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Joseph D. Slaven,” with case number 108.

The commission, tasked with investigating judicial misconduct in Michigan, issued the complaint in late May, accusing Slaven of multiple violations during his tenure as a judge.

The allegations against Slaven include using his judicial position to support another candidate’s campaign, publicly criticizing his chief judge, and making obscene gestures toward courthouse security cameras. The complaint also claims Slaven lied about recording his chief judge, displayed inappropriate behavior, sent disrespectful emails, failed to wear his judicial robe on the bench, obscured his face during Zoom hearings, interfered with courtroom staff during virtual proceedings, drove with an expired and illegible license plate, and provided false information to the Judicial Tenure Commission.

In his response, Slaven alleged that some of his actions were deliberate attempts to expose unauthorized surveillance by Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford and Court Administrator Deanna Warunek. He claimed that files recorded in his courtroom or from his YouTube stream without his consent violated state law and should not be used as evidence against him. Slaven stated he would hold those responsible for the unauthorized recordings in contempt of court.

One specific allegation involves Slaven printing 160 copies of a document titled “Mike Tinney is a Man of the People” to support Tinney’s campaign for a judicial position at the 23rd District Court. Slaven explained that he intentionally named the file to attract attention from those he believed were monitoring him through courtroom cameras. He asserted that the file’s name was chosen to prove that court administration misused equipment to spy on him, claiming the document was one he regularly used but renamed for this purpose.

The complaint further accuses Slaven of repeatedly criticizing Chief Judge Shackelford in various settings, including statements implying her incompetence in handling her docket and understanding court rules. Slaven clarified that these remarks were about himself, not Shackelford.

Additionally, the commission alleged that Slaven made obscene gestures toward courthouse security cameras, either directly or by adjusting his glasses with his middle finger. Slaven admitted to these actions, stating they were intended to highlight unauthorized monitoring by the court administrator and chief judge, asserting that the cameras were not being used for security purposes.

Another charge involves Slaven allegedly driving a black Chrysler Town and Country minivan with an illegible license plate and expired registration. In his response, Slaven denied owning the vehicle, stating it belonged to his parents, and he had no knowledge of its registration status.

Regarding accusations of recording Chief Judge Shackelford without her consent, Slaven argued that Michigan appellate courts have ruled such recordings are legal. He stated that had Shackelford asked him to stop recording, he would have refused, emphasizing that the recording allowed him to provide evidence to the Judicial Tenure Commission to counter what he described as false accusations.

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.