Racial Disparities Exist in Complaints Against Michigan Judges

Black Michigan judges faced a higher average number of complaints compared to their White counterparts, according to a report released Friday.

The report also shows racial disparity in public discipline, though that’s complicated by a higher number of White judges who choose to leave the bench when facing misconduct allegations.

Compiled by the National Center for State Courts at the behest of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, the report says Black judges had a “significantly higher” average number of complaints compared to White judges when considering the number of complaints filed per judge. In addition, those complaints against Black judges ...