On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission filed a complaint against Troy 52-4 District Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig. The complaint alleges that Judge Hartig engaged in bullying behavior towards court staff and attempted to exert control over personnel and departments beyond her authority.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig,” with case number 109.
The 13-page complaint outlines several serious allegations against Judge Hartig, including conflicts with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, wrongful dismissal of criminal cases, and failure to promptly provide a report from a psychological evaluation mandated by the Commission in April 2024. According to the complaint, Judge Hartig submitted the report approximately six months after its completion.
The document states that from 2018 to 2023, Judge Hartig displayed bullying behavior towards court personnel, fostering a hostile work environment characterized by disrespect and fear. The complaint indicates that these actions prompted Troy Chief Judge Travis Reeds to remove her from felony case hearings in May 2025.
In response to the filing, Judge Reeds released a statement emphasizing the significance of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission in maintaining judicial integrity. He noted that while due process is essential, accountability is crucial for preserving public trust in the judiciary. Judge Reeds mentioned that he acted based on the limited information available at the time, asserting that temporarily removing Judge Hartig from her full docket was in the best interest of the court and the communities it serves.
The Judicial Tenure Commission plans to request that the Michigan Supreme Court appoint a master to oversee a public hearing regarding the allegations against Judge Hartig. The record from this hearing, along with the master’s findings, will be submitted to the Commission, which will then make a recommendation to the Supreme Court. Possible outcomes range from censure to suspension, or even removal from the bench, while the Commission could also recommend no action. The final decision will rest with the Supreme Court.
In a statement from her spokesperson, Daniel Cherrin, Judge Hartig expressed her commitment to participating fully in the process established by the Judicial Tenure Commission. Cherrin criticized the complaint as being based on disputed claims and a flawed process, asserting that Judge Hartig has awaited the opportunity to address these allegations directly.
Cherrin emphasized the importance of public confidence in the judiciary and its oversight, stating that such confidence relies on transparency and factual accuracy. He highlighted Judge Hartig’s decade-long service to the public and her commitment to integrity and justice.
The complaint details specific instances of alleged misconduct by Judge Hartig. In September 2018, she reportedly berated probation supervisor Patti Bates and court administrator Dana O’Neal, accusing them of financial mismanagement and a lack of concern for a drug treatment participant. In another incident in October 2019, Judge Hartig criticized O’Neal for not responding to emails while she was attending a funeral, asserting that O’Neal took too much time off.
Judge Hartig has been a licensed attorney and a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1991. Since January 2011, he has served as a judge for the 52nd District Court, Division 4, in Oakland County, Michigan.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
