On Monday, December 1, 2025, Retired Judge James H. Fisher, acting as a Master appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court, issued an opinion regarding a formal complaint filed against Judge Joseph Slaven of the 23rd District Court. The complaint, initiated by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) on May 28, 2025, detailed multiple instances of alleged judicial misconduct.
The amended complaint against Judge Slaven contained twelve counts, each outlining specific violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Michigan Court Rules. These allegations ranged from making false statements to the Chief Judge of his court to exhibiting disrespectful behavior towards court staff and violating court rules.
Count one accused Judge Slaven of making false statements regarding a recorded conversation with the Chief Judge in late 2021 and early 2022. Count two alleged that Judge Slaven used his judicial position and courtroom facilities to promote the candidacy of a lawyer running against the Chief Judge in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 elections.
Count three focused on Judge Slaven’s alleged inappropriate demeanor and disrespect towards his Chief Judge and court employees between 2022 and 2025. Specific examples included referring to the Chief Judge as “Judge Shackle-Fool” and making derogatory comments about a court employee. Count four detailed instances of Judge Slaven sending disrespectful emails to the court administrator and Chief Judge in November 2023, including criticizing the Chief Judge’s understanding of the law.
Count five alleged that Judge Slaven repeatedly failed to wear a black robe in the courtroom, violating MCR 8.115(B). Count six accused him of concealing his face during Zoom hearings, despite a direct order from the Chief Judge to remain visible. Count seven stated that Judge Slaven gave the “middle finger salute” to the courthouse security camera on multiple occasions in 2024 and 2025, even after the JTC complaint was filed.
Count eight alleged that Judge Slaven interfered with and denigrated staff operating his Zoom software in 2022. Count nine accused him of knowingly driving a vehicle with an expired license plate from 2021 to 2024. Count ten stated that Judge Slaven made false statements under oath during the JTC investigation.
Count eleven focused on false statements made by Judge Slaven on a Judicial Liability insurance application in April 2025, where he claimed to be unaware of any circumstances that could lead to disciplinary action. Count twelve alleged that Judge Slaven disregarded orders from the State Court Administrator and his Chief Judge to cease communicating with court staff regarding administrative matters.
Following several scheduling orders and a period of confusion surrounding Judge Slaven’s purported retirement, a public hearing was scheduled to commence on November 10, 2025. Judge Slaven failed to appear at the hearing, leading to a Motion for Default being granted and an Order of Default being entered.
In his opinion, the Master found that Judge Slaven’s failure to attend the Public Hearing resulted in the allegations in the complaint being deemed admitted, according to MCR 9.233(B)(1). Based on these admitted allegations, the Master concluded that Judge Slaven engaged in conduct violating the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct and the Michigan Court Rules.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
