Michigan’s Supreme Court Election: Judge Michael Warren’s Perspective
As Michigan prepares for its upcoming Supreme Court election, voters face critical choices with two justices to be elected. Judge Michael Warren, a veteran of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Oakland County since 2002, is among the candidates, bringing a wealth of experience and a clear judicial philosophy to the table.
Warren, who also imparts his knowledge as a constitutional law instructor at Cooley Law School and previously served on the state Board of Education, shared insights into his judicial approach and candidacy with Michigan Public’s Morning Edition host Doug Tribou.
Judicial Philosophy and Case Approach
Warren emphasized his commitment to impartiality and adherence to the law. “I’ve tried over 400 jury trials, rendered thousands of sentences, and issued thousands of orders,” Warren noted. His philosophy centers on applying the law as it was intended when enacted, rather than legislating from the bench.
He illustrated this with his handling of Michigan’s expungement law, which he personally might not have supported in its current form. However, Warren upholds the law as it stands, granting expungements to those meeting the criteria, underscoring his belief in judicial restraint and fidelity to legislative intent.
Political Endorsements and Judicial Independence
Though the Supreme Court candidates appear on the ballot without party affiliations, political endorsements are a key aspect of the election. Warren has received backing from both the Michigan Republican Party and the Libertarian Party, a rare occurrence in state politics. “The Libertarians did not nominate anyone and instead endorsed me only,” Warren explained, noting the historical nature of this support.
While acknowledging the philosophical differences between the two parties, Warren stressed that his role as a judge is to remain dedicated to the Constitution and the law, rather than political ideologies.
Addressing Court System Challenges
Warren’s extensive experience across the judicial system provides him with a unique perspective on court operations. He expressed concern about the lack of judicial experience among current Supreme Court justices, impacting their administrative decisions. Warren cited the post-COVID push for remote proceedings as an example, criticizing the Supreme Court’s 12-factor test for determining the nature of court proceedings as overly bureaucratic.
His insights aim to bring practical, experience-based reforms to the state’s highest court, ensuring effective judicial administration and adherence to procedural standards.
Editor’s note: Quotes in this article have been edited for length and clarity. You can play the full audio of this interview near the top of this page.
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