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Detroit voters elect disgraced liar judge even though she’s suspended until 2029 over her abusive antics
Detroit voters elected Kahlilia Davis to the Michigan 36th District Court, although a six-year suspension means she cannot serve until 2029. The result has frustrated some voters who said they were unaware of her disciplinary record or that she would be barred from taking the bench.
Davis, 50, received almost 84,000 votes in the 3 November election. The Michigan Supreme Court suspended her in 2023 after finding pervasive misconduct, including misuse of contempt powers, dismissing potentially valid cases and tampering with courtroom recording equipment; she had already been suspended from the bench in 2020. A court ruling had kept her off the ballot in 2024, but she successfully challenged that decision.
In short
- Davis won nearly 84,000 votes in Detroit.
- Her six-year suspension bars her from serving until 2029.
- Some voters said they did not know about her record.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Voters may have chosen Davis because they believe she deserves a chance to return to public service, or because they distrust the disciplinary process and its conclusions. An election can be seen as giving residents a direct voice in selecting judges, and her substantial vote total may reflect support for that principle as well as for her candidacy.
The case against
A judge’s authority depends on public confidence, impartiality and fair treatment in court, so the reported findings of serious misconduct are strong reasons to oppose her serving. Voters may also argue that electing someone who cannot take the bench until 2029 risks confusion and weakens accountability, particularly if many voters did not know about the suspension.
Explained simply
Michigan’s 36th District Court handles local cases in Detroit, including some criminal and civil matters. Judges are elected by voters, but they must also meet legal and professional requirements to serve.
Kahlilia Davis is a former judge whose conduct on the bench was reviewed by Michigan’s judicial authorities. In 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court imposed a six-year suspension after finding multiple forms of misconduct, including misuse of contempt powers and interference with courtroom recordings.
The case raises questions about how judicial discipline affects elections and what information voters have when choosing candidates. A suspension can prevent an elected judge from serving during its term, even if they receive enough votes.