Judge Joseph Slaven, currently under formal investigation by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, has made a bold and troubling claim: that he was being spied on.
In his official answer to the complaint filed against him, Slaven alleges that his communications and judicial conduct were surveilled by court officials, including Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford, claiming himself as a victim in a case that stems from serious accusations of judicial misconduct.
But here’s the thing: if those claims are true, they warrant just as much scrutiny as the original allegations.
And if they’re not, they raise serious questions about the judge’s grip on reality and fitness for the bench.
So let’s get to the bottom of it.
Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence
Spying on a judge is no small matter.
It would require use of taxpayer resources for surveillance, coordination, and likely the involvement of law enforcement or state oversight bodies.
If Slaven has proof (emails, transcripts, intercepted messages, surveillance logs) he owes it to the public to make them known.
Because if any of this is real, the people of Michigan deserve answers about who is watching our courts, why, and under what authority. And quite frankly, voters deserve better.
But if it’s not?
Then it’s something else entirely: an attempt to shift the narrative, sow distrust, and distract from the legitimate questions about his behavior and accountability.
Know of a Judge that’s not on the up-and-up? Enter them into the Michigan Judicial Misconduct Database; it’s quick, free, and promotes accountability and transparency across Michigan.
The Public Deserves More Than Vague Accusations
Judge Slaven’s claim is now part of the public record.
And Clutch Justice is calling his bluff.
If Judge Slaven in fact has evidence that he was subject to unauthorized surveillance, I invite him to share it. I will publish it in full.
Because vague allegations with documentation only handed over to the JTC do not serve justice; the public will never see it if it exists. It will only fuel conspiracy and further erode public confidence in Michigan’s already very fragile judicial system.
The question is: can he prove it?
A Challenge to Judge Slaven: Put Up or Shut Up
The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission has already received public criticism for slow or opaque processes. If Judge Slaven’s spying claim is credible, it demands an independent investigation.
But if it was simply a paranoid defense strategy, that too needs to be called out, for the sake of every litigant, every attorney, and every court employee who expects reason and restraint from the person wielding the gavel.
If Judge Slaven has the evidence, I will do something the media won’t: I’ll publish it right here at Clutch.
Judge Slaven: if you’ve got it, send it. You can reach me here.
