WASHTENAW COUNTY TRIAL COURT - Honorable Donald E. Shelton

Honorable Donald E. Shelton

Washtenaw County Trial Court, P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8546
Email: sheltond@ewashtenaw.org
Telephone: (734) 222-3399

Hon. Donald E. Shelton

Personal
		Resides in Saline, Michigan Born June 28, 1944, in Jackson, Michigan Married to Marjorie K. Shelton
Education
		University of Nevada, 2010 - Doctor of Philosophy (Judicial Studies) Eastern Michigan University, 2007 - Master of Arts (Criminology and Criminal Justice) University of Michigan School of Law, 1969 - Juris Doctor (Law) Western Michigan University, 1966 - Bachelor of Arts (Social Science)
Professional Background
		Circuit Judge, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Washtenaw County Trial Court, Ann Arbor, Michigan, February, 1990 - present ; Chief Judge, 2010-present; Chief Judge Pro Tem, 1992-1996, 2004-2009; Presiding Judge, Civil/Criminal Division, 1997 - 2009 Washtenaw County Probate Court, Chief Judge, 2010-present; Chief Judge Pro Tem, 2004 -2009 Supervising Judge, Washtenaw County Juvenile Court , 2001 - present Washtenaw County Probate Court, Chief Judge, 2010-present; Chief Judge Pro Tem, 2004 -2009 Partner in law firm of Bishop and Shelton, P.C., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1978 -1990 Partner in law firm of Forsythe, Campbell, Vandenberg, Clevenger & Bishop, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1974 - 1978 Attorney, Litigation Division, United States Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., 1973 - 1974 Attorney, Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Army, Third Infantry Division, Germany, 1970 - 1973
Public Offices and Positions
		Circuit Judge, Washtenaw County, February, 1990 - present Regent, Eastern Michigan University, 1987 - 1990 Mayor, City of Saline, 1978 - 1986 Chair, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), 1983 - 1985 Board of Directors, National Association of Regional Councils, 1985 - 1986 Board of Directors, Washtenaw Development Council, 1983 -1986 Member, Governor�s Small Cities Advisory Council, 1983 - 1986 Vice Chair, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, 1980 - 1983 Mayor Pro Tem, City of Saline, 1977 - 1978 Councilmember, City of Saline, 1976 - 1978
Teaching Positions
		Adjunct Faculty, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Course �Forensic Evidence in Criminal Cases�, 2011 - present Adjunct Faculty, Eastern Michigan University, Political Science Department, Courses: "Understanding the Judicial System"; "American Legal System", �Law & Policy in a Constitutional Democracy� 1997 - present Adjunct Faculty, Eastern Michigan University, Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology Department, Courses: "Criminal Law II - Criminal Procedure", "Criminal Sentencing", �Forensic Science�, 1997 - present Adjunct Faculty, Oakland University Legal Assistant Program, 1977 - 1979 Adjunct Faculty, Washtenaw Community College Legal Assistant Program, 1976 - 1979 Adjunct Faculty, University of Maryland (Business Law, 1971 - 1973) Member, Ferris State College Legal Assistant Advisory Committee, 1977 - 1990 Member, Washtenaw Community College Legal Assistant Advisory Committee, 1976 - 1979
Books and Book Chapters
		Forensic Science in Court: Challenges in the 21st Century, Rowman & Littlefield, September 2010 Criminal Adjudication: The Challenges of Forensic Science Evidence in the Early 21st Century, Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno Judicial Studies Program, May 2010 "CSI Effect� Chapter in Battleground: Criminal Justice, edited by Gregg Barak, 2007. Westport CT: Greenwood Press. A Database of Persons Convicted Of Felonies In Washtenaw County, Michigan, 1990-2007, Masters Thesis, Eastern Michigan University Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, 2007 "Best Uses of the Internet for Litigators" Chapter in The Internet and Technology Guide for Michigan Lawyers, Donnelly, Musbach and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, August 1999 1986 Tort Reform Legislation in Michigan, Shelton, Bishop and Blaske, DTR Associates, Ann Arbor, MI, 1986 Michigan Wrongful Death,Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1986 Handling the Automobile Negligence Case: A Systems Approach, 2nd ed., Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1983, rev.1988 Medical Malpractice - A Systems Approach, Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1982 Motion Practice, Michigan Basic Trial Practice Handbook, Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1981 Manual for Lawyers and Legal Assistants - Wrongful Death, Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1977 The Use of Legal Assistants in Domestic Relations Cases, Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1975, rev. 1980 The Use of Legal Assistants in Civil Litigation - Automobile Negligence, Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1974, rev. 1976
Articles and Research Papers
		Studying Juror Expectations for Scientific Evidence: A New Model for Looking at the CSI Myth, with G. Barak & Y. Kim, Court Review, American Judges Association, Vol. 45 (2011) How Reason for Surgery and Patient Weight Affect Verdicts and Perceptions in Medical Malpractice Trials: A Comparison of Students and Jurors, with J. Reichert, M. Miller, & B. Bornstein, Behavioral Sciences and The Law , doi: 10.1002/bsl.969 (first published online February 8, 2011) Forensic Science Evidence And Judicial Bias In Criminal Cases, 49 Judges' Journal 18 (No. 3, Summer 2010), American Bar Association Juror Expectations for Scientific Evidence in Criminal Cases: Perceptions And Reality About The "CSI Effect" Myth, 27 T. M. Cooley Law Review 1 (2010) An Indirect-Effects Model of Mediated Adjudication: The CSI Myth, the Tech Effect, and Metropolitan Jurors� Expectations for Scientific Evidence, by Hon. Donald E. Shelton, Young S. Kim, and Gregg Barak, 12 Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law 1 (2009) Examining the �'CSI-effect' in the Cases of Circumstantial Evidence and Eyewitness Testimony: Multivariate and Path Analyses, by Young S. Kim, Gregg Barak, and Donald E. Shelton, 37 Journal of Criminal Justice 452-460 (2009). Twenty-First Century Forensic Science Challenges for Trial Judges in Criminal cases: Where the "Polybutadiene" Meets the "Bitumen", 18 Widener Law Journal 309 (2009) The �CSI Effect� Is Really The �Tech Effect�, The Utah Prosecutor, Vol. 18:5, pp. 6-10, September 2008, Utah Prosecution Council, Salt Lake City, UT The �CSI Effect� Is Really The �Tech Effect�: Coping With The New Forensic Reality, The Green Light News, Vol. 8:3, pp. 1-6, August 2008, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, Lansing, MI The � CSI Effect��: Does It Really Exist?, NIJ Journal, Vol. 259, pp. 1-7, March 2008, National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Defending the Right to Trial by the People, MTLA Journal, Vol. 41:1, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, Summer 2007 The "CSI Effect" - Is It Real?, The General Practitioner, Vol. 28:4, State Bar of Michigan July/August 2007 An Evaluation of the Status Offense Diversion Program in the Juvenile Court of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Washtenaw County Juvenile Court, May 24, 2007 The �CSI Effect� � Is It Real? , Criminal Law Section, State Bar of Michigan, April 2007 Newsletter The Current State of Domestic Violence Courts in the United States, 2007, National Center for State Courts White Paper, February 23, 2007 A Study of Juror Expectations and Demands Concerning Scientific Evidence: Does the �CSI Effect� Exist?, by Donald E. Shelton, Young Kim and Gregg Barak, 9 Vanderbilt J. Ent. & Tech. L 334 (2006) Technology, Popular Culture and the Court System - Strange Bedfellows?, National Center for State Courts 2006 Future Trends in State Courts (August, 2006) Washtenaw County Probate Court Reorganization Report, Washtenaw County, Michigan Circuit Court (October 29, 2004) Video Court Reporting - The Time Has Come, Judge's Journal, Vol. 42-1, American Bar Association, Winter 2003 Juvenile Court Reorganization Report, Washtenaw County Trial Court Family Division (December 1, 2001) Equally Bad is Not Good: Allowing Title IX �Compliance� by the Elimination of Men�s Collegiate Sports, 34 U. Mich. J. L. Reform 253 (2001) Teaching Technology to Judges, Judge's Journal, Vol. 40-1, American Bar Association, Winter 2001 All Aboard? Electronic Filing and the Digital Divide, Judge's Journal Vol. 40-3, American Bar Association, Summer 2001 Communicating with the Public on the Internet, Judge's Journal, by Shelton, D. and Arkfeld, M., Vol. 39-1, American Bar Association, Winter 2000 Technology and the Judiciary: The Promise and the Challenge, Judge's Journal, Vol. 39-1, American Bar Association, Winter 2000 Communicating with Lawyers on the Internet, Judge's Journal, Vol. 39-1, American Bar Association, Winter 2000 DNA, the Human Genome, and the Criminal Justice System, Judge's Journal, Vol. 39-3, American Bar Association, Summer 2000 Courts on the Internet: Not Just Another Pretty Face, Michigan Bar Journal, May 1998, Vol. 77-5, pp. 398-399 The Judge and Jury in a Court of Claims Case: Who's on First?, 27 MTLA Quarterly 10 (1993) Judicial Participation in Settlement, Colleague, Michigan Judicial Institute, Vol. 4-3, December 1991, pp. 26-33 Unconstitutional Uncertainty: A Study of the Use of Detainers, 1 U Mich. J.L.Reform 88 (1968)
Presentations
		Global Gatekeeping?: A Comparative Analysis of the Judicial Process for Determining the Reliability of Proffered Expert Testimony, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, February 24, 2012 Juror Expectations for Scientific Evidence in Criminal Cases: Empirical Studies of the "CSI Effect" Myth, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, February 23, 2012 Judges Panel: Key eDiscovery Mistakes to Avoid, eDiscovery for Pharma, Biotech and Midical Device Industries, Philadelphia, PA October 25, 2011 Voir Dire: The Judge's Perspective, Michigan Association For Justice Seminar, Redford, MI, August 29, 2011 The CSI Effect: What Have We Learned Over the Last Decade?, American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Section of Science and Technology Law, Toronto, ON, Canada, August 6, 2011 Forensic Science: A View From the Bench - Challenges for the Twenty-First Century, American Bar Association Annual Meeting, Judicial Division, Toronto, ON, Canada, August 4, 2011 Judges Roundtable: The State of Forensic Science and Currenet Evidentiary Issues, Webinar, American Bar Association Judicial Division, July 21, 2011 Judicial Perspectives on E-discovery, 11th Annual Computer and Enterprise Investigations Conference, May 16, 2011, Orlando, FL Judicial Perspectives on Electronic Discovery, Association of Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting, October 26, 2010, San Antonio, TX Judicial Perspectives on E-discovery, 10th Annual Computer and Enterprise Investigations Conference, May 25, 2010, Summerlin, NV Twitter and Blogging in the Courtroom, Canadian Association of Law Libraries, Annual Conference 2010, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, May 10, 2010 CSI Effect" - Juror Expectations For Forensic Science: Does Reality Meet The Standard?, Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Symposium, Cooley Law School, Lansing, MI, October 14, 2009 The "CSI Effect" In The Real World, 2008 United Judicial Conference of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges and the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges, Jacksonville, FL, December 10, 2008 The "Tech Effect" on Juror Demands for Scientific Evidence, Presentation, 2008 International Video Evidence Symposium, Law Enforcement &Emergency Services Video Association, Orlando, FL, October 22, 2008 The Impact of Pop Culture on Forensic Scientific and Legal Practice, Presentation, 8th Annual Forensic Science and Law Conference, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, April 5, 2008 The "Tech Effect" - Meeting Juror Expectations for Scientific Evidence, Presentation and Webcast, 2007 Criminal Practice and Procedure Update, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Plymouth, MI, November 27, 2007 Public Safety: The CSI Effect - Dispelling Myths on the Use of DNA Evidence, Presentation, 2007 Annual Conference, The Council of State Governments, Oklahoma City, OK, November 13, 2007 The �CSI Effect�: Media Impact on Juror Demands for Scientific Evidence, Presentation, 2007 Annual Conference, Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology, Ypsilanti, MI, October 6, 2007 Jurors and Electronic Evidence and A Study of Juror Expectations and Demands Concerning Scientific Evidence, Presentation, Court Technology Conference 10, National Center for State Courts, Tampa, FL, October 4, 2007 The "CSI Effect" on Jurors: Does It Exist?, Presentation, National Institute of Justice 2007 Annual Conference, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. July 21, 2007 "CSI Effect" on Juries, Presentation, Michigan Judges Association Annual Conference, Mackinac Island, MI, August, 14, 2007 Effective Negotiation Techniques, 2nd Annual Advanced Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Institute, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2003 Effective Motion Practice, Practical Skills for New Lawyers, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2002 Technology in the Courtroom, State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section, State Bar of Michigan 2001 Annual Meeting (Sept. 13, 2001) Innovations in Jury Service - Now and Tomorrow, Jury Summit 2001, N.Y., NY (Feb. 3, 2001) "E-Governance in the Digital Economy", Justice Web Collaboratory, Government Technology Conference 2000, Sacramento, CA (May 16, 2000) Using the Internet to Improve Judicial Systems, American Bar Association Forum on Justice Improvements, October 1999 Judicial Resources on the Internet, Conference Presentation, American Bar Association, Judicial Division, Annual Meeting, 1999 Electronic Filing, Seminar, Michigan Association for Legal Support Professionals, April 1999 Tort Reform in Practice - The View From the Bench, Winter Meeting, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, 1997 Development of a Court Homepage, Conference Presentation, American Bar Association, Judicial Division, Annual Meeting, 1996 Computers for Judges 101, Seminar, Michigan Judicial Institute,1996 Harassment in the Workplace, Seminar, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, 1995 In the Aftermath of Homicide - Dealing with the Criminal Justice System, Foundations for Justice - Supporting Michigan's Victims of Crime, State Conference, 1994 Common Evidentiary Problems in the Courtroom, Ask the Judges Seminar, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1994 Effective Courtroom Advocacy, Seminar, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, 1994 Presiding Judge and Faculty Member, 44th Annual Advocacy Institute, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, May 1993 Academics and Pragmatics of Medical Malpractice Trial Practice, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, 1990 Fundamentals of Michigan Practice-Motion Practice, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1989 No-Fault Update: 1988, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1988 How to Handle the Automobile Negligence Case, Institute of Continuing Legal Education and State Bar Negligence Section Seminar, 1988 Damages and the 1986 Tort Reforms, Institute of Continuing Legal Education and State Bar Negligence Section Seminar, 1988 New Tort Legislation and Related Insurance Issues, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1986 How to Handle an Automobile Negligence Case-Medical Proofs, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1985 Successful Use of Depositions and Interrogatories: How to Make the Most of Pretrial Discovery, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1983 Traumatic Neurosis, Evaluating and Proving Damages, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1982 Motion Practice, Michigan Basic Skills, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1982 No-Fault Third Party Litigation and Uninsured Motorist Claims, No-Fault Accident Update, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1982 Basic Trial Advocacy Workshop, Faculty and Speaker, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1982, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002 Motion Practice, Michigan Basic Skills, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1981 Motion Practice, Michigan Basic Trial Practice Handbook, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1981 Pretrial Motions, Civil Procedure Before Trial, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1981 Wrongful Death Damages, Proving Damages in Special Cases, Institute of HYPERLINK "http://www.icle.org/"Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1981 Pretrial Motions, Civil Procedure Before Trial, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminars, 1979 Motion Practice, Michigan Basic Skills, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1979 People and Systems, Eighth National Conference on Law Office Economics, New York State Bar Association, 1978 Hearsay Objections Under the Michigan Rules of Evidence, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1978 Evaluating and Proving Damages, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1977 Legal Malpractice in Michigan-To Whom Are You Liable, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1977 The Use of Legal Assistants in Divorce Cases, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1977 The Use of Legal Assistants in Automobile Negligence Cases, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1977 The Use of Legal Assistants in Domestic Relations Cases, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1975 The Use of Legal Assistants in Civil Litigation-Automobile Negligence, Institute of Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1974
Media Interviews and Appearances
		"Landmark Legal Cases: Gideon and Miranda", The Lynn Rivers Show, WEMU Radio, October 24, 2011 "Science Fiction?: Judge weighs in on the real effect of TV crime shows", Motion Magazine, Spring, 2011 �Is the �CSI Effect� Influencing Courtrooms?�, NPR News Investigations, National Public Radio, February 6, 2011 �Criminal Justice System Sees �CSI Effect�� , NPR News, National Public Radio, August 6, 2007
Honors and Awards
		Circuit Judge, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Washtenaw County Trial Court, Ann Arbor, Michigan, February, 1990 - present ; Chief Judge, 2010-present; Chief Judge Pro Tem, 1992-1996, 2004-2009; Presiding Judge, Civil/Criminal Division, 1997 - 2009 Washtenaw County Probate Court, Chief Judge, 2010-present; Chief Judge Pro Tem, 2004 -2009 Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Servant Award, State Bar of Michigan, 2007 Justice Blair Moody Award, Judge of the Year, 2007, Washtenaw Trial Lawyers Association Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award, Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association, 2004 Judicial Achievement Award, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, 1996 Maurice Gleicher Award, Guild Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, 1994 Justice Blair Moody Award, Judge of the Year, 1992, Washtenaw Trial Lawyers Association Attorney of the Year Award, 1986, Washtenaw Trial Lawyers Association Saline Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, 1985 Saline Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of the Year, 1976
Memberships and Activities
		Member, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2009 - present Editorial Review Board, Journal of Applied Sociology / Sociological Practice, 2005 - present Member, Eastern Michigan University Foundation Heritage Society, 2003 - present Member, Eastern Michigan University Foundation President's Council, 2003; 2004 Member, Eastern Michigan University Foundation Silver Society, 2002 - present Founder, Donald E. Shelton Endowed Scholarship Fund, Eastern Michigan University, 1991 - present Member, Technology Committee, American Bar Association, Judicial Division, 2004 - present Member, State Bar of Michigan (Chair, Electronic Filing Task Force, 2000 - 2003; Chair, Children's Task Force Jurisdiction Committee, 1993 - 1995; Economics Section Executive Committee, (1984 - 1988) Technology Editor, Judges Journal, Quarterly Journal of the American Bar Association, Judicial Division, 2000 - 2003 Chair, Electronic Filing Task Force, State Bar of Michigan, 2000 � 2003 Board of Directors, Washtenaw County Domestic Violence Project, 1991 -1997 Executive Committee, Southeast Michigan March of Dimes, 1989 -1992 Member, Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, 1986 - 1988 Executive Committee, Washtenaw County Democratic Party, 1983 - 1988 Board of Directors, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition,1983 - 1987 (Vice President 1983 - 1985) Board of Directors, Greater Detroit Business Attraction and Expansion Council (BAEC), 1983 - 1987 Board of Directors, Saline Area Senior Council, 1979 - 1982 Board of Directors, Saline Community Directions, Inc., 1986 - 1996 Member, American Bar Association (Litigation Section, Economics Section) Member, Washtenaw Trial Lawyers Association (President, 1983, 1984; Secretary, 1982)
Military Service
		Lieutenant, United States Army, 1966 - 1969 Captain, United States Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps, 1969 - 1974 Honor Graduate, The Judge Advocate Generals School, 1969 Meritorious Service Medal, United States Army, 1974

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WASHTENAW COUNTY <br>TRIAL COURT

Honorable Donald E. Shelton

Honorable Donald E. Shelton

Personal

Education

Professional Background

Public Offices and Positions

Teaching Positions

Books and Book Chapters

Articles and Research Papers

Presentations

Media Interviews and Appearances

Honors and Awards

Memberships and Activities

Military Service