An Oakland County district court judge, Kristen Nielsen Hartig, is facing serious allegations following a public misconduct complaint. The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission alleges that Judge Hartig mistreated her staff, dismissed cases improperly, and showed an unsettling pattern of conduct unbecoming of her judicial position.
Accusations against Hartig include ordering a psychological evaluation that was not timely provided to the commission. Only after being reminded of the rules, the judge submitted heavily redacted documents six months late, as reported by CBS News Detroit. Additional counts of misconduct reveal a deeper, perhaps darker set of behaviors exhibited during Hartig's tenure as a judge. These include creating a "climate of fear among court personnel" and demanding personal availability from employees constantly, even during scheduled absences.
Chief Judge Travis Reed of the 52nd District Court has taken a measured approach in dealing with the unrest Hartig's alleged actions have caused within the legal community. "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," Reed stated in a comment obtained by ClickOnDetroit. He went on to add that temporarily removing Judge Hartig from her full docket would "be in the best interest of the court and the communities we serve."
Hartig's spokesperson, Daniel Cherrin, has countered these allegations, insisting on her dedication to integrity and justice in a statement captured by ClickOnDetroit. "Judge Hartig respects the important role of the Judicial Tenure Commission and is committed to fully participating in the process," Cherrin said. Hartig believes the public deserves "confidence in both the judiciary and its oversight" – a sentiment strained by allegations such as telling a lawyer his argument evoked a desire to put "a hatchet in his neck."
Other accusations against Hartig's conduct are equally troubling. Detroit Free Press reports of occasions where she is said to have "bullied" her staff, and ClickOnDetroit mentions a questionable incident where Hartig reportedly berated a pregnant probation officer to reveal her belly during a video conference. Her decisions in court have also raised eyebrows, with her authority exceeding in dismissing some cases and lowering bonds, which, in light of public safety concerns, have elicited criticism from the likes of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
