On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission recommended that the Supreme Court order a six-year conditional suspension without pay for Judge Joseph Slaven, who recently resigned from his position at the 23rd District Court.

The recommendation stems from a formal complaint filed in May 2025, which was later amended to include twelve counts alleging violations of court rules and the Code of Judicial Conduct, including making false statements while under oath.

The Commission’s decision, detailed in a document received by the Michigan Supreme Court (MSC) on the same day, states that Slaven’s suspension should be enforced if he ever regains judicial office. The recommendation follows an investigation and report by a master, Hon. James H. Fisher, appointed by the Supreme Court in June 2025.

According to the document, Judge Fisher scheduled a public hearing for November 5, 2025, but it was adjourned after Slaven claimed he had retired. However, Judge Fisher later learned that the Governor’s office had not received a letter confirming Slaven’s retirement. The hearing was rescheduled for November 10, 2025, but Slaven failed to appear, leading to a default judgment against him.

The Commission’s findings of fact, based on MCR 9.233(B)(1), include allegations that Slaven made false statements regarding a recorded conversation with the Chief Judge, used his judicial position to help a candidate running for election against the Chief Judge, and made disrespectful public comments about his Chief Judge and court employees. Specific examples cited include referring to the Chief Judge as “Judge Shackle-Fool” and making derogatory comments about a court employee.

Additional allegations include sending disrespectful emails, failing to wear a robe in court, concealing his face during Zoom hearings despite a direct order to show his face, giving the “middle finger salute” to a courthouse security camera, interfering with and denigrating court staff, driving with an expired license plate, and making false statements to the Judicial Tenure Commission under oath.

The Commission concluded that Slaven’s actions constitute numerous violations of court rules and the Code of Judicial Conduct, including eroding public confidence in the judiciary, failing to respect and observe the law, using the prestige of office to advance personal interests, and failing to treat every person fairly, with courtesy and respect.

In its sanction analysis, the Commission considered factors such as the pattern of misconduct, the fact that some misconduct occurred on the bench, and the calculated nature of the actions. The Commission noted that Slaven had engaged in a pattern of lying to his chief judge, his insurance company, and the Commission itself.

The Commission stated that its recommendation is consistent with previous Supreme Court decisions in similar cases, such as In re Brennan and In re Davis, where similar penalties were imposed for acts of misconduct, including making false statements under oath.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.