Clutch Justice · Public Accountability Tool · Michigan
Michigan Judicial Misconduct Database

A crowd-sourced, evidence-based directory of documented judicial conduct issues in Michigan courts. No one should be blindsided by a judge’s demeanor when they walk into a courtroom.

83 Michigan Counties
Public Free to Search
Open Submit a Listing
Documented Evidence Required
Why This Exists

The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission offers citizens zero transparency on judicial complaints — hiding unprofessional behavior and giving slaps on the wrist instead of accountability.

This directory puts power and clarity back where it belongs: in the hands of the people. Every entry is documented. Every listing is evidence-based.

How to Use This Database
  • Search by judge name or county using the search bar below
  • Browse by county using the category list
  • Submit a new listing using the “Add Listing” button
  • Registration is optional — anonymous submissions accepted
  • All submissions require documentation or photographic evidence
Disclaimer Clutch Justice LLC performs due diligence on all entries and relies on documents and photographic evidence as much as possible. Listings reflect documented conduct patterns, not personal opinions. This database is not a legal resource and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Initiative The Fit-Bench Act The structural solution ?
Work With Rita Williams · Clutch Justice
“I map how institutions hide from accountability. That map is what I sell.”
01 Government Accountability & Institutional Forensics 02 Procedural Abuse Pattern Recognition 03 Legal AI & Court Systems Domain Expertise
Judge Robert Cleland
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

Referred to undocumented individuals as invasive insects during a court proceeding. This is the lesser offense after years of alleged misconduct.

He is now retired.

Article Link
JUDICIAL CRIMINALS
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impartiality & Diligence
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

FACT: Absence of Consent or Signature on Original and Amended Judgments
The original judgment, as well as two subsequent amended judgments, were entered without my consent, without my signature, and without my knowledge.
As such, no valid agreement existed to support entry of a consent judgment or its amendments.
On August 11, 2025, Judge Yokich denied my Motion to Set Aside Judgment, despite the absence of consent and the lack of a valid underlying agreement.

Void Judgments Cannot Be Enforced
Under well-established Michigan law, a void judgment is a nullity and cannot be enforced under any circumstances. Courts have no discretion to uphold or enforce a judgment that is void, regardless of equitable doctrines such as laches or estoppel. See People v. Ferranti, 504 Mich. 1 (2019); Lawrence M. Clarke, Inc. v. Richco Construction, Inc., 489 Mich. 265 (2011); Abbott v. State, 202 Mich. App. 228 (1993).
In the present case, the original judgment and two amendments were entered without my consent, without my signature or knowledge, and without informed authorization by counsel as to their substance. As such, no valid agreement existed to support entry of a consent judgment.
Because the judgment is predicated on a non-existent or unauthorized agreement, it is void. A void judgment is a legal nullity from its inception and cannot be enforced, ratified, or cured through equitable doctrines.
Accordingly, the Court lacks discretion to uphold or enforce the judgment, and it must be set aside.

Article Link
Judge Julie McDonald
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety, Extrajudicial Activities
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

Judge Julie McDonald was caught drunk driving in 2018 while running for reelection. She ultimately received a 45-day unpaid suspension for the event.

Article Link
Kathleen Ryan
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety, Impartiality & Diligence
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

On August 27, 2024, Oakland County Michigan Probate County Judge Kathleen Ryan was removed from her docket for use of racist and anti-gay language.

The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) does not appear to have been involved until the recordings were sent to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement.

This is not the first person or organization to seek assistance outside of the JTC. Outside intervention was sought in investigating claims in racist investigatory practices of judges, finding that JTC was harsher in punishing black judges.

Article Link
Kathy L. Hoogstra
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

Bullied countless staff members and generated a toxic work environment for staff.

Article Link
Kenneth King
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

September 2024 - Yelled at a teenager who fell asleep during a field trip and threw her into jail. Before that, engaged in inappropriate commentary with his Youtube Livestream and violated the civil rights of defendants in his court room. Read more here.

Article Link
Kirsten Nielsen Hartig
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

Created a toxic, hostile work environment, bullied employees.

Article Link
Kwame Rowe
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Integrity & Independence, Impropriety, Impartiality & Diligence
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

Failed to stay faithful to the law, failed to recuse himself from cases where he worked in the prosecutor's office with Karen McDonald. Violated constitutional law that you cannot charge minors to life sentences. Dismissed cases parents had to sue the Oxford School System and failed to hold them accountable.

Lisa Gorcyca
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety, Impartiality & Diligence
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

Screamed at and thensent three young children to juvenile lockup in June 2015 for disobeying her orders to visit with their father in a divorce and custody case.

Article Link
Lisa L. Asadoorian
Judge's Name
County
Violated Code of Conduct
Impropriety
In Your Own Words, What Happened?

Judge Lisa L. Asadoorian was rude to a defendant without understanding the person's situation and difficulty to get records from their medical provider. She refused to listen to the defendant and told him, "Shut your mouth." She then sentenced him to an additional 5 days of community service and converted his charge to a permanent one, without ever doing due diligence. Upon trying to get footage of her improper behavior, Judge Travis Reeds blocked requests and protecting and covering up for her misconduct.