2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

Judge Edward J. Joseph is the Presiding Judge of Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court Family-Juvenile Division. Judge Joseph has served on the Third Judicial Circuit Court since 2014. He is presently assigned to the Court’s Family Division-Juvenile Section, overseeing cases involving child abuse, neglect, custody and juvenile delinquency, along with adoption matters.

Press Release

Prior to serving on the Circuit Court bench, Judge Joseph was an attorney in private practice for 26 years. He served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, and as a Wayne County Public Administrator.

Gov. Snyder recently appointed four new judges to the Wayne County Circuit Court. The new jurists are Joseph, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Thomas C. Cameron, of Northville Township, Alexis A. Glendening, of Grosse Pointe Farms and Catherine L. Heise, of Plymouth.

Joseph has been in private practice since 1991, where he focused on civil, probate, juvenile and criminal litigation. He fills the vacancy created by the removal of Judge Wade McCree.

New Circuit Court judge is 'pragmatist' and 'problem solver'

Serves in the Third Judicial Circuit Court's Family-Juvenile Division, overseeing child abuse, neglect, custody, delinquency, and adoption cases.

Worked as a private-practice attorney for 26 years, handling civil, probate, juvenile, and criminal litigation.

Served as a Special Assistant Attorney General.

Served as a Wayne County Public Administrator.

- Serves in the Third Judicial Circuit Court's Family-Juvenile Division, overseeing child abuse, neglect, custody, delinquency, and adoption cases.
- Worked as a private-practice attorney for 26 years, handling civil, probate, juvenile, and criminal litigation.
- Served as a Special Assistant Attorney General.
- Served as a Wayne County Public Administrator.

Legal Experience

Judge Joseph is assigned to the Court’s Family Division-Juvenile Section, overseeing cases involving child abuse, neglect, custody and juvenile delinquency, along with adoption matters. Under Judge Joseph’s direction, the Third Circuit Court’s Juvenile Mental Health Court Program commenced in 2016. The program now has in excess of 30 participants, and provides eligible youth and their families with a full range of in-home services, along with weekly court supervision.

Under Judge Joseph’s direction, the Third Circuit Court’s Juvenile Mental Health Court Program commenced in 2016. The program now has in excess of 30 participants, and provides eligible youth and their families with a full range of in-home services, along with weekly court supervision. Judge Joseph also chairs the Third Circuit Court’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) committee, which directs specialized therapy toward children who have experienced trauma.

Implemented the Third Circuit Court Juvenile Mental Health Court Program, providing eligible youth and families in-home services and weekly court supervision.

Chairs the Third Circuit Court Adverse Childhood Experiences committee, which directs specialized therapy for children who have experienced trauma.

- Implemented the Third Circuit Court Juvenile Mental Health Court Program, providing eligible youth and families in-home services and weekly court supervision.
- Chairs the Third Circuit Court Adverse Childhood Experiences committee, which directs specialized therapy for children who have experienced trauma.

Judicial Administration

Joseph originally worked at a law firm straight out of law school, but then had a private practice for more than 20 years. When he struck out on his own, he quickly realized that one of his biggest strengths was as a problem solver.

“If that’s what a pragmatist is, I guess that’s what I would call myself,” he says. “In many of life’s challenges, there isn’t an ideal solution. You’re faced with a situation and you’re asking yourself, ‘what can I do here?’ that would make the biggest improvement, even if I can’t completely fix it.”

Said he considers himself a pragmatist who seeks the largest possible improvement when no ideal solution is available.

- Said he considers himself a pragmatist who seeks the largest possible improvement when no ideal solution is available.

Judicial Philosophy

As of September 14, 2026, Edward J. Joseph did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Judge Joseph serves on the Child’s Hope board of directors, for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Wayne County. He is also a board member of the Human Services Community Collaborative, which provides direction for the provision of mental health, public health and educational services throughout Wayne County. Judge Joseph also serves on the City of Detroit’s Mental Health Task Force with stakeholders from both Wayne County and Detroit.

Serves on the City of Detroit’s Mental Health Task Force with Wayne County and Detroit stakeholders.

Serves on the board of directors of Child’s Hope for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Wayne County.

Serves on the board of the Human Services Community Collaborative, which directs mental health, public health, and educational services in Wayne County.

- Serves on the City of Detroit’s Mental Health Task Force with Wayne County and Detroit stakeholders.
- Serves on the board of directors of Child’s Hope for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Wayne County.
- Serves on the board of the Human Services Community Collaborative, which directs mental health, public health, and educational services in Wayne County.

Community Involvement

Edward J. Joseph

As of September 14, 2026, Edward J. Joseph’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Serves on the board of directors of Child’s Hope for the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Wayne County.
- Serves on the board of the Human Services Community Collaborative, which directs mental health, public health, and educational services in Wayne County.

Joseph has been in private practice since 1991, where he focused on civil, probate, juvenile and criminal litigation. He fills the vacancy created by the removal of Judge Wade McCree.

“I grew up on the east side of Detroit,” he says. “I went to high school at De La Salle, near City Airport. The courses were tough, including advanced placement courses, which weren’t common back then. When I got to college, I certainly felt prepared.”

“I considered journalism in college, but started thinking about the law soon after I got there,” he says. “I went to business school at Michigan. I graduated with a finance and accounting degree, but was already thinking about law school as a graduate option.”

After his undergrad experience, he headed to Wayne State University for law school. While many lawyers tell horror stories about the travails of their law school years, Joseph found that he thrived and enjoyed the experience.

“Law school was pretty good for me,” he says. “I made a lot of friends there. When you’re at Michigan, it’s a really big place, especially the first couple years. Then business school was a smaller group of people, which I liked. When I got to law school, it was also a smaller setting, where it was easier to make friends. There are a lot of people from law school who I’m still in contact with today.”

Gov. Snyder recently appointed four new judges to the Wayne County Circuit Court.

The new jurists are Joseph, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Thomas C. Cameron, of Northville Township, Alexis A. Glendening, of Grosse Pointe Farms and Catherine L. Heise, of Plymouth.

Joseph’s community involvement has almost always involved young people and their issues.

“I was involved in groups like the Detroit Community Initiative on the east side,” he says. “They did things like computer education for kids.”

Edward J. Joseph grew up on the east side of Detroit. He attended business school at Michigan and earned a degree in finance and accounting, then attended law school at Wayne State University. He lives in Grosse Pointe Farms and was involved with the Detroit Community Initiative, which provided computer education for children.

Served as a case evaluator for the Wayne County Probate Court.

Practiced law in civil, probate, juvenile, and criminal cases since 1991, including more than 20 years in juvenile law.

Served as Wayne County Public Administrator for probate matters after appointment by Attorney General Bill Schuette.

Was appointed to the Circuit Court by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Said he approaches challenges pragmatically, seeking the option that makes the biggest improvement when no ideal solution is available.

Volunteered with the Detroit Community Initiative, which provided computer education for children.

“I grew up on the east side of Detroit,” he says. “I went to high school at De La Salle, near City Airport. The courses were tough, including advanced placement courses, which weren’t common back then. When I got to college, I certainly felt prepared.”

Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Judge Edward J. Joseph to the Circuit Court

After his undergrad experience, he headed to Wayne State University for law school. While many lawyers tell horror stories about the travails of their law school years, Joseph found that he thrived and enjoyed the experience.

Gov. Snyder recently appointed four new judges to the Wayne County Circuit Court. The new jurists are Joseph, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Thomas C. Cameron, of Northville Township, Alexis A. Glendening, of Grosse Pointe Farms and Catherine L. Heise, of Plymouth.

Edward J. Joseph grew up on the east side of Detroit. He earned a degree in finance and accounting after attending business school at Michigan, then attended law school at Wayne State University. He lives in Grosse Pointe Farms.

Joseph has been in private practice since 1991, where he focused on civil, probate, juvenile and criminal litigation. He fills the vacancy created by the removal of Judge Wade McCree.

Over the course of his legal career, Joseph has served as a Special Assistant Attorney General and was also appointed by Attorney General Bill Schuette as a Wayne County Public Administrator for probate matters. He also served as case evaluator for Wayne County Probate Court.

Edward J. Joseph has been in private legal practice, focusing on civil, probate, juvenile, and criminal litigation. He has also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, a Wayne County Public Administrator for probate matters, and a case evaluator for Wayne County Probate Court.

Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Judge Edward J. Joseph to the Circuit Court. The article identifies him as a Wayne Law graduate who was in private practice for 20 years before his appointment to the bench.

Joseph says, “I’ve kind of always been in politics,” and adds: “I’ve been involved in party politics and my wife is on the Grosse Pointe Farms City Council. I ran unsuccessfully for Circuit Court in 2000. It’s difficult. It’s a big county and I learned a lot. I enjoy being out there meeting people.

Edward was appointed to the Circuit Court by Gov. Rick Snyder. He previously ran unsuccessfully for Circuit Court in 2000.

As an attorney in private practice since 1991, represented clients in civil, probate, juvenile, and criminal litigation.

Served as a Special Assistant Attorney General and as Wayne County Public Administrator for probate matters.

Served as a case evaluator for Wayne County Probate Court.

Worked in juvenile law for more than 20 years.

Said he approaches difficult challenges pragmatically, seeking the largest possible improvement even when no ideal solution is available.

Participated in the Detroit Community Initiative, which provided computer education for children.

Edward J. Joseph grew up on the east side of Detroit. He earned a degree in finance and accounting after attending business school at Michigan and then attended law school at Wayne State University.

Joseph dabbled in journalism as a reporter and news director at WPAG radio in Ann Arbor and also spent a summer at Detroit’s WJR.

Edward J. Joseph previously practiced law, focusing on civil, probate, juvenile, and criminal litigation. He also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, a Wayne County Public Administrator for probate matters, and a case evaluator for Wayne County Probate Court. Earlier, he worked as a reporter and news director at WPAG radio in Ann Arbor and spent a summer at WJR in Detroit.

3rd Circuit Judge of Circuit Court Incumbent 6 Year Terms (16) Positions
INCUMBENT	Joseph, Edward J.	01/29/2026	Affidavit
INCUMBENT	Kelly, Mary Beth	02/20/2026	Affidavit

Michigan Department of State Official Candidate Listing

Posted June 16, 2014

New Circuit Court judge is 'pragmatist' and 'problem solver'

Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Judge Edward J. Joseph to the Circuit Court.
Photo by Steve Thorpe
Wayne Law grad was in private practice for 20 years before appointment to bench

Joseph is undaunted by the prospect of running this fall to keep his seat.

“I’ve kind of always been in politics,” he says. “I’ve been involved in party politics and my wife is on the Grosse Pointe Farms City Council. I ran unsuccessfully for Circuit Court in 2000. It’s difficult. It’s a big county and I learned a lot. I enjoy being out there meeting people.”

Edward is an incumbent 3rd Circuit Court judge. He was appointed to the Circuit Court by Gov. Rick Snyder and previously ran unsuccessfully for Circuit Court in 2000.

Candidate Listing Report

Served as a circuit court judge after being appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Practiced civil, probate, juvenile, and criminal litigation in private practice since 1991.

Served as Wayne County Public Administrator for probate matters.

Said he approaches challenges pragmatically by seeking the action that will make the biggest improvement when no ideal solution is available.

On November 10th, the Honorable Edward J. Joseph officiated the swearing-in of seven new Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for 3rd Circuit Court - Juvenile abuse and neglect docket. Under the direction of Judge Joseph, the oath was administered. Beryl Fletcher, Program Coordinator, and Ericka Brown, CASA Volunteer Supervisor, facilitated the 43rd Swearing-In Ceremony for the CASA volunteers via Zoom. Congratulations to all of the volunteers who successfully completed the training and were sworn in. This brings the total number of volunteers to advocate for children in foster care to 51.

Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan eNewsletter, November 2021

Officiated the swearing-in of seven new Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers for the 3rd Circuit Court's juvenile abuse and neglect docket.

- Officiated the swearing-in of seven new Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers for the 3rd Circuit Court's juvenile abuse and neglect docket.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Bradley L. Cobb

Carla G. Testani

Chandra W. Baker-Robinson

Charlene M. Elder

Chris Dingell

Christopher M. Blount

Cylenthia LaToye Miller

David J. Allen

Don Knapp

Helal A. Farhat

Margaret M. Van Houten

Mary Beth Kelly

Nicole L. Castka

Nicole N. Goodson

Shannon Nicol Walker

- A circuit court judge is an elected judicial official who serves in Michigan’s circuit court system, the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction.
- Circuit courts handle major legal matters, including felony criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, family law matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts and some administrative agencies.
- Michigan circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan elections and may also be appointed to fill vacancies.
- Judges serve six-year terms and may run for reelection.
- Candidates must be licensed attorneys authorized to practice law in Michigan, admitted to practice for at least five years, qualified electors within the judicial circuit, and under 70 years old at the time of election or appointment.
- The salary of a Michigan circuit court judge is approximately $183,000 per year.

A judge who handles major criminal, civil, and family court cases.