J. Cedric Simpson - Ann Arbor

J. Cedric Simpson is a judge in the 14A-1 District Court of Washtenaw County, and as of 2022 is handling criminal and civil cases. He was the Chief Judge from 2002 to 2007. He was first appointed to the bench in 1999.

J. Cedric Simpson.

Located in Pittsfield Township, the 14A-1 District Court presides over Pittsfield Township for all criminal misdemeanor and civil infraction (traffic cases). It also presides over Pittsfield Township, Augusta Township, Superior Township, the Village of Barton Hills and the City of Ypsilanti for all general civil, landlord tenant and small claims matters.

Judge Simpson handles the worst criminal cases in the system and his presence is felt in such cases from their start. For certain violent cases such as domestic abuse, bail is automatically suspended at any arraignment before other judges or magistrates and a bail adjustment motion is required to appear before Judge Simpson to negotiate any terms of release if bail is approved. Such approval must come from Judge Simpson.

According to Simpson's bio on the 14A District Court website, he is a member of numerous civic and charitable organizations, including Community Action Network, the Ypsilanti Corner Health Center, and the Peace Neighborhood Center Advisory Board. The judge was named 2000 Man of the Year by Ypsilanti Community Junior Athletic Association, 2002 Jurist of the Year by the Police Officers Association of Michigan and has received the Father Bernard J. O’Conner Award by the Dispute Resolution Center in recognition of outstanding commitment to the practice of just and humane resolution of social conflict.

2013 Judicial Misconduct Findings

In mid-2010, Simpson – who had presided over criminal and civil cases in 14A District Court – was reassigned to handle civil cases only, including landlord tenant hearings and general civil pretrial hearings. His criminal docket was divided between Chief Judge Kirk Tabbey, who made the reassignment, and Judge Richard Conlin. Tabbey publicly indicated that the changes were made to increase court efficiency.

On November 12, 2014, the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission filed a formal complaint against Simpson for interfering in a police investigation involving Simpson's intern. According to the complaint, in the early morning of September 8, 2013, Crystal Marie Vargas, Simpson's intern, was involved in a car crash while driving intoxicated in Pittsfield Township, Michigan. She then called Simpson who arrived at the scene of the accident and allegedly interfered in the field sobriety tests being administered by a local police officer. Vargas was arrested after completing the field sobriety test and a finding of a blood alcohol level of 0.137. Soon following the incident, Simpson purportedly contacted Pittsfield Township City Attorney Victor Lillich on a number of occasions in order to "help" Vargas out. Lillich eventually had to disqualify himself from the matter, and Vargas was later sentenced in January 2014 following her guilty plea.

The complaint charged Simpson with 15 violations of the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct, the Michigan State Constitution and the Michigan Court Rules. The full text of the formal complaint can be read here.

In April 2015, retired Ingham County judge Peter Houk determined that Simpson acted improperly on all counts alleged by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission – specifically, that Simpson interfered with a police investigation, a prosecution and misrepresented his relationship with his 26-year-old intern.

Timeline

June 8, 2015: Hearing date before the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, which ultimately determines if Simpson was responsible of misdoing and any disciplinary measures.

April 2015: Retired Ingham County judge Peter Houk determines that Simpson acted improperly on all counts alleged by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission – specifically, that Simpson interfered with a police investigation, a prosecution and misrepresented his relationship with his 26-year-old intern.

March 30, 2015: Testifies at a hearing regarding the complaint filed by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission.

November 2014: The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission files a formal complaint against Simpson for interfering in a police investigation involving Simpson's intern, Crystal Marie Vargas. Simpson is represented by attorney Ken Mogill.

November 2012: Runs unopposed and is re-elected to another six-year term, ending Jan. 1, 2019.

2007: Begins teaching as adjunct professor at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

January 2002-December 2007: Serves as chief judge of 14A District Court.

2002: Begins teaching as adjunct professor at Washtenaw Community College.

2002: Is named Jurist of the Year by the Police Officers Association of Michigan.

2000: Is named Man of the Year by Ypsilanti Community Junior Athletic Association.

1999-2000: Serves as president of the Washtenaw County Bar Association.

September 1999: Is appointed to the 14A District Court by Gov. John Engler.

1997: Is appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court as a State Bar Commissioner.

May 1990: Becomes partner in Hamilton, McDonald & Simpson.

December 1986: Joins the law firm of Hamilton, McDonald, P.C. as an Associate. His practice was primarily devoted to civil and criminal litigation, municipal ordinance enforcement, with a concentration in HUD subsidized housing and landlord/tenant.

1986: Becomes a member of the Washtenaw County Bar Association.

1986: Earns Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland.

DATE? Earns a Bachelor of Science Degree (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

DATE?: Born in Detroit.