Opinion ID: 1577184
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Procedure to Review Denials of Request for Recusals

Text: Because MCR 2.003 is applicable, I would grant plaintiff's alternative request for the Court to address and to follow the procedure set forth in MCR 2.003(3) for the review of a judge's decision not to recuse himself or herself from a case. Pursuant to MCR 2.003(3), when a motion to recuse a judge is denied and a party requests review of the denial, the chief judge or a judge appointed by the state court administrator reviews the decision. MCR 2.003(3) provides: Ruling. The challenged judge shall decide the motion. If the challenged judge denies the motion, (a) in a court having two or more judges, on the request of a party, the challenged judge shall refer the motion to the chief judge, who shall decide the motion de novo; (b) in a single-judge court, or if the challenged judge is the chief judge, on the request of a party, the challenged judge shall refer the motion to the state court administrator for assignment to another judge, who shall decide the motion de novo. [Emphasis added.] The procedure in MCR 2.003(3) for review of the denial of the motion for recusal should be followed in this case, as plaintiff has now requested. This Court has recognized that failure to refer the motion to disqualify to the chief judge on the request of a party is wrong and improper. In re Bradfield, 465 Mich. 1309, 1311, 638 N.W.2d 107 (2002). The requirement that the motion be referred to the chief judge is not discretionary. In re Smith, 244 Mich.App. 153, 160-161, 624 N.W.2d 504 (2000). Pursuant to MCR 2.003(3), Chief Justice Corrigan's decision to deny the motion for recusal with regard to herself should be reviewed de novo by a judge assigned by the state court administrator. Justices Taylor, Young, and Markman's decisions to deny plaintiff's motion concerning themselves should be reviewed de novo either by Chief Justice Corrigan or by a judge appointed by the state court administrator.