Oakland County Judge Hartig Barred from Felony Cases Starting May 27

Oakland County Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig has been barred from presiding over felony cases and will now only hear civil, landlord/tenant, and small claims cases starting May 27, according to an administrative order signed by Chief Judge Travis Reeds. All felony and criminal cases in the jurisdiction covering Troy and Clawson will be reassigned to Judge Maureen M. McGinnis. The order was issued to ensure fairness in the courtroom amid Hartig's troubled tenure, which includes allegations of mistreating court staff and conflicts with Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, who accused Hartig of dismissing cases improperly and imposing her personal views on criminal cases. Hartig denied these allegations and attributed the prosecutor's criticisms to election-year politics. The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission has been involved in investigating Hartig, but has not provided public comment. County officials declined further explanation, emphasizing the order's intent to preserve courtroom fairness.