FeedsSlavens appointed circuit court judge
Lawyer, school board vice president and two-time state legislature hopeful Mark Slavens has a new title: circuit court judge.
Monday afternoon, Slavens, 52, was appointed to the 3rd circuit bench by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
The Canton resident will fill a spot left vacant by the resignation of the Hon. Maggie Drake on Jan 1.
A judicial resignation sets into motion a replacement process that involves a review of applications on file and interviews of potential designates with the Judicial Qualifications Committee at the State Bar of Michigan, according to Michelle Begnoche, spokesperson for the Governor’s office.
“People can apply for these appointments whether there’s a vacancy or not,” she said.
Slavens, who is in the midst of a campaign for re-election on the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education, was not immediately available for comment Monday afternoon.
While the process to replace Drake was under way in January, Slavens did not discuss his application for an appointment in an interview this month with the Journal Newspapers. In a questionnaire response to the Journal editorial board regarding political aspirations, Slavens wrote, “My focus at the current time is on the Plymouth-Canton School Board.”
Slavens is scheduled to begin in his new capacity May 14, said Begnoche. His appointment will last until the term expires Jan. 1, 2009.
The 3rd Circuit Court serves Wayne County. It is not clear whether Slavens is required to resign his school board seat, which he has occupied for eight years, or cease his campaign for re-election.
Fellow school board candidate Kurt Heise said he should, though.
“Mr. Slavens must observe Canon 7 of the Michigan Code of Judicial Ethics,” said Heise, also an attorney. “You can’t be a Judge-designate and a candidate for school board at the same time. (He) can’t campaign, solicit funds, or otherwise hold himself out as a candidate for any office other than judge.”
The governor believes Slavens will make a fine judge, she said in a statement.
“Mark is driven by a passion for the law and dedication to community service. Both are critical traits for a member of the bench.”
