Case Name: BLACKWELL v. BAYLES
Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1984-09-06
Citations: 141 Mich. App. 151
Docket Number: Docket No. 74559
Parties: BLACKWELL v BAYLES
Judges: Before: Wahls, P.J., and T. M. Burns and P. C. Elliott, JJ.
Reporter: Michigan appeals reports; cases decided in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Volume: 141
Pages: 151–153

Head Matter:
BLACKWELL v BAYLES
Docket No. 74559.
Submitted May 7, 1984, at Detroit. —
Decided September 6, 1984.
Robert B. Blackwell, the Mayor of the City of Highland Park, brought an action in the Wayne Circuit Court against Thomas C. Bayles, a judge of the 30th District Court, and Mary McLaughlin, a deputy court administrator of the 30th District Court, alleging that certain political activities conducted by defendant district judge violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and asking for an injunction. The court granted a restraining order and, later, a preliminary injunction ordering defendant judge, his employees, agents and others in active participation with him to refrain from the political activities complained of. Defendants appealed by leave granted. Held:
The circuit court does not have jurisdiction to hear a complaint for injunctive relief against a district court judge alleging abuse of the office of district judge by violating the Code of Judicial Conduct. In such a case the proper remedies are superintending control or disciplinary action by the Judicial Tenure Commission.
Reversed and the preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order dissolved.
P. C. Elliott, J., concurred separately, noting that it is arguable that a judge who violates the canon against public endorsement of a nonjudicial candidate can be disciplined, possibly removed from office, but cannot constitutionally be silenced by injunction.
Judges — Abuse of Office — Courts — Equity — Jurisdiction — Remedies — Constitutional Law — Court Rules.
The circuit court does not have jurisdiction to hear a complaint for injunctive relief against a district court judge alleging abuse of the office of district judge by violating the Code of Judicial Conduct; in such a case the proper remedies are superintending control or disciplinary action by the Judicial Tenure Commission (Const 1963, art 6, § 30; GCR 1963, 932)._
Reference for Points in Headnote
46 Am Jur 2d, Judges § 50.
James McGinnis, for plaintiff.
James Schuster, for defendants.
Before: Wahls, P.J., and T. M. Burns and P. C. Elliott, JJ.
Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
Plaintiff filed a complaint alleging that certain political activities conducted by defendant district judge violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. The circuit court granted a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction ordering defendant judge to cease participating in these political activities. Defendants now appeal by leave granted.
Defendants argue that the circuit court was without jurisdiction to order injunctive relief since the Supreme Court and the Judicial Tenure Commission have the sole jurisdiction to hear complaints of violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The Michigan Constitution grants the Supreme Court superintending control jurisdiction through art 6, § 4 and 30. Under § 4, the Supreme Court may enjoin a judge from exercising the powers of the office "for the purpose of protecting the purity of the judicial processes and maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice". In the Matter of Probert, 411 Mich 210, 230; 308 NW2d 773 (1981). The court rules indicate that the Supreme Court and the Judicial Tenure Commission have the exclusive jurisdiction to consider this type of case. GCR 1963, 930, 932.
Defendants, however, argue that the circuit court has jurisdiction to hear complaints against a municipal judge and should do so in the interest of the administration of justice. City of Berkley v Holmes, 34 Mich App 417; 191 NW2d 561 (1971). In that case, however, this Court noted:
"If the judge has abused his office, he is subject to superintending control, Const 1963, art 6, § 4, and GCR 1963, 930, or disciplinary action by the Judicial Tenure Commission, Const 1963, art 6, §30, and GCR 1963, 932." 34 Mich App 427, fn 7.
In the instant case, plaintiff alleges only that defendant judge abused his office by violating the Code of Judicial Conduct. The circuit court was, therefore, without jurisdiction to consider this matter. The preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order are, therefore, dissolved.
Reversed.