By: Ben Solis
An Oakland County district court judge, who was recently barred from presiding over felony cases due to an administrative order, is now the subject of a Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission complaint.
The commission on Wednesday announced that it issued the complaint against Troy’s 52-4 District Court Judge Kirsten Hartig, citing a refusal to provide a report of a personal psychological evaluation when the commission investigated allegations of misconduct and found that mental health was an issue.
Hartig was also alleged to have given false statements to the commission, mistreated or abused court employees and others, and had obstructed the administration of her court. The complaint goes on to accuse Hartig of the improper dismissal of criminal cases.
The commission said the next step is to give Hartig a chance to respond while the commission’s Disciplinary Counsel petitions the Michigan Supreme Court to appoint a special master, who will preside over a public hearing on the matter.
Hartig issued a statement on the situation through her spokesperson, Daniel Cherrin, who said the judge respected the role of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and was committed to fully participating in the process.
“After years of inquiry, the commission has produced a complaint based on disputed claims and a flawed process. Judge Hartig has waited patiently for the opportunity to address these allegations directly and looks forward to doing so,” Cherrin said. “The public deserves confidence in both the judiciary and its oversight. That confidence depends on transparency grounded in fact, not fiction. Judge Hartig has served the public and the bench for more than a decade with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to justice. The commission is expected to do the same.”
Meanwhile, 52nd District Court Chief Judge Travis Reeds in a statement said that it was his belief Harting should be removed from her entire docket while the complaint process plays out.
“The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of our courts. While due process is vital, accountability helps preserve public trust in the judiciary,” Reeds said. “Based on the limited information available to me at the time, I removed Judge Hartig from the most serious cases within the authority I had as chief judge. Now that a formal complaint has been filed, further action may be appropriate. I believe temporarily removing her from her full docket would be in the best interest of the court and the communities we serve.”
On Thursday, an Oakland County spokesperson told Michigan Advance that Reeds has now requested Hartig be removed from her docket.
Reeds had already removed Harting from hearing her felony docket, relegating her in May to hearing only civil, landlord/tenant and small claims cases. The felony cases in the jurisdiction, which covers Troy and Clawson, were to be heard by Judge Maureen McGinnis.
Full Article & Source:
Oakland County judge removed from felony cases now faces a judicial tenure complaint
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