On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the News Herald reported that Taylor District Court Judge Joseph Slaven resigned amidst an ongoing investigation by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) into allegations of judicial misconduct. The JTC had filed a public complaint against Slaven in May, outlining several instances of alleged misconduct.

The accusations against Slaven include using his judicial position to support another judicial candidate, publicly berating Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford, and flipping off cameras at the courthouse on nine separate occasions. Further allegations include lying about recording his chief judge, displaying an inappropriate demeanor and disrespect, sending disrespectful emails, neglecting to wear his judicial robe while on the bench, concealing his face during Zoom hearings, interfering with Zoom courtroom staff, and driving with an expired and illegible license plate. He is also accused of lying to the Judicial Tenure Commission during the investigation.

Lynn Helland, Executive Director and General Counsel for the JTC, confirmed that Slaven submitted a resignation letter on Tuesday. However, it remains uncertain whether Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office has received the letter, which is required to make the resignation official. Slaven did not respond to requests for comment.

In his response to the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, Slaven claimed that some of his actions were intended to demonstrate that the chief judge and court administrator were spying on him.

Judge Randy Kalmbach reportedly handled Slaven’s docket in Taylor on Wednesday, according to a Zoom feed livestreamed on YouTube. Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford did not respond to a request for comment.

Helland clarified that the JTC did not request Slaven’s resignation. He explained that asking Slaven to resign after issuing a public complaint would be akin to a judge in a criminal case asking a defendant to plead guilty, emphasizing the JTC’s need to remain impartial. Despite the resignation, Helland stated that the JTC case will continue to address outstanding matters.

Slaven had served as a judge since January 2015.

 

 

Source: News Herald