We expect public officials like judges, fire chiefs, police, to follow the law and model best behavior. But when those in power realize they often face no consequences, integrity becomes optional.
Here’s a look at current cases that highlight this crisis in Michigan.
1. Drunk Deputy Fire Chief: Comstock Township, MI
Deputy Fire Chief Michael Dyer crashed his vehicle, admitted on body‑cam, “I’ve been drinking.” He smelled of alcohol and struggled to stand, despite representing the very community he endangered.
And yet, there’s little indication he’ll face meaningful consequences.
2. Oakland County Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig & Prosecutor Karen McDonald: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Judge Kirsten Hartig is currently under multiple serious misconduct allegations filed with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC). She’s accused of:
- Repeatedly demeaning staff, showing bias, and ignoring the law
- Delaying submission of a psych evaluation until six months late
- Lying to the JTC and using procedural tactics to buy time
- Being flagged as unsafe to practice by mental health experts at All Points North—yet continuing to preside over cases.
…Enter Karen McDonald
Once a judge herself, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has also been implicated in ethical dysfunction:
- Her office paid over $100,000 to PR firms to shape public and judicial opinion in the Oxford High School shooting case—raising questions about the smear tactics and influence
- Accusations include withholding proffer agreements involving school employees, potentially impacting defense strategy. Defense attorneys accused her team of lying and manipulating evidence, which should have led to formal sanctions—though McDonald defended the practice as standard procedure and sanitized it as “common practice”.
- Her office got caught and received a warning about played games with clients’ hearings, threatening to drop cases and retry them, costing defendants their good time.
Judge Michael Schipper: Sentencing for Sale?
Judge Schipper has repeatedly:
- Imposed upward sentencing departures far beyond legal guidelines
- Handed harsh sentences to less‑resourced defendants, like Scott Handley
- Displayed courtroom bullying, intimidation, and threats documented by aggrieved parties
Despite numerous complaints and appeals, Schipper still sits on the bench with minimal repercussions, because his harsh sentences and excessive fees help keep the county afloat.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners are well aware that their judges are using the courts as an income generator and that according to the Michigan Judicial Council, that MUST change.
…Something that I’ve been screaming for three years now.
Newly Appointed Allegan County Judge Chris Burnett Already at the Center of Controversy
Judge Christopher Burnett’s recent elevation to the Allegan County Circuit Court has raised eyebrows, not because of a high-profile scandal, but because no one seems to be asking the hard questions. As a public defender, he looked the other way when it came to misconduct committed by Judge Roberts Kengis, engaging in plea deal coercion and potential conflicts of interest. Yet, his transition to the bench has gone largely unchallenged by the press, oversight bodies, or the legal community.
His appointment reflects a broader problem: in many counties, judicial power is inherited, not earned, and the people most familiar with local misconduct are often the ones least empowered to stop it.
Why They’re All Getting Away With It
For multiple reasons:
- Nonexistent Oversight: Review boards investigate, but rarely act decisively
- Limited Transparency: Misconduct reports and investigations often stay hidden until public pressure forces disclosure
- Asymmetrical Justice: Well‑connected individuals face lighter consequences; marginalized people pay the price
- Election Insulation: Judges are hard to remove; fire chiefs and public safety heads often continue without recall options
The Human Toll
And there are real consequences and real issues with all of this.
- Public trust erodes: When trusted officials break rules without consequence, faith in institutions plummets.
- Unequal protection: none of these people would be treated this well if they weren’t already in power. Regular people aren’t treated this well.
- Precedent matters: Left unchecked, minor missteps escalate into systemic corruption.
How We Fix It
Strengthen Oversight. Mandate regular, transparent disciplinary reviews with the power to remove officials.
Enforce Meaningful Penalties. No more wrist‑slaps. We need actual removal, disbarment, or dismissal when justice is violated.
Increase Transparency. Publish complaints, investigations, and outcomes. Let communities decide their leaders’ fate.
Empower Voters & Watchdogs. Require judicial retention votes, civilian review boards, and recall mechanisms for appointees.
Conclusion
Public service is a responsibility, not a privilege. Our institutions crumble when wrongdoing carries no weight. The cases of Dyer, Hartig, McDonald, Schipper, and Burnett reveal a grim truth: Integrity matters only when accountability is real.
It’s time to stop letting officials break faith and carry on unaffected.
Share, comment, and demand change. Our communities deserve leaders who serve the public, not themselves.
