Oakland County Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig was handling cases Tuesday, March 31, just a week after two neuropsychologists offered contrasting testimony on whether she has a mild neurocognitive disorder that could possibly be caused by a form of dementia.
A professional misconduct hearing against the 52-4 District Court judge out of Troy wrapped up March 25, with plans for the judge to return to work that Friday as her case continues behind the scenes with the state oversight body known as the Judicial Tenure Commission. Hartig, indeed, returned to work on Friday, March 27, and did her first docket, her lawyer confirmed. She was hearing cases on her altered docket on Tuesday, March 31, when the Free Press checked in with a court clerk.
Hartig is fighting a slew of accusations of bad behavior by the Judicial Tenure Commission, which investigates judges and makes recommendations to those with the power to remove or suspend her, the Michigan Supreme Court.
The judge is accused of violating the state’s court rules and judicial code of conduct by bullying courthouse staff so severely that it impeded work, improperly dismissing cases in a fight with the prosecutor’s office, withholding a psychological report that stated she was “unsafe to practice,” making false statements to the commission and being mentally unable to serve as a judge.
Her lawyer, Don Campbell, has framed the matter as retaliation for a judge who sought to make change in the court system and said the case is in line with the country’s history “of labeling inconvenient women as disabled.”
Where Judge Hartig’s misconduct case stands
The hearing wrapped up after weeks of testimony, including from the judge herself, fellow jurists and three neuropsychologists.
Now, the so-called “neutral” who oversaw the proceedings will get a transcript of what happened and issue her findings of fact and conclusions to the commission.
However, the findings of the neutral, retired Marquette County Judge Jennifer Mazzuchi, aren’t binding.
The case goes back to the commission for review, possible additional arguments and a decision on whether to issue a recommendation of sanctions to the Michigan Supreme Court.
What cases does Judge Hartig handle?
As information tied to the misconduct case against her came to light, her chief judge altered her case assignments to exclude new felony cases and a potential conflict of interest with the prosecutor’s office. He changed her assignment to general civil, landlord-tenant and small claims cases.
During her hearings, her lawyer sought to refute any belief that she was doing less work because of the change. It’s just different, according to his presentation.
Will Judge Hartig continue to work during her misconduct case?
52nd District Court Chief Judge Travis Reeds — who testified against Hartig at her hearings — twice sought to remove Hartig’s full docket around the time the formal, public misconduct complaint against her was issued in June 2025.
The initial complaint referenced the “unsafe” psychological report, but did not include the accusation made in January 2026 that she is mentally unable to serve as a judge.
State Court Administrator Tom Boyd denied Reeds’ requests at the time the chief judge made them and cited the commission’s ability to request a temporary suspension from the Michigan Supreme Court. The commission, or JTC, did not make such a request.
Contacted on Friday, March 27, the interim director of the commission, Glenn Page, indicated his office hadn’t moved in such a direction following the hearing’s end. He stated there was no suspension to prevent her return.
“There are no steps underway to prevent that by the JTC,” he said.
State Supreme Court spokesman John Nevin, contacted along with Boyd, said in an email that they were “not aware of anything preventing Judge Hartig from returning to the bench.”
Her attorney, Campbell, confirmed her return went as planned and said, “All seems well.”
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland judge back on bench with mental disability accusation pending
Reporting by Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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