Embedded Files
Curriculum Vita
Hon. Donald E. Shelton , JD, PhD
Email: desjd@umich.edu
Personal
Born in Jackson, Michigan
Married to Marjorie K. Shelton
Education
University of Nevada, Ph.D. (Judicial Studies)
Eastern Michigan University, M.A. (Criminology and Criminal Justice)
University of Michigan School of Law, J.D. (Law)
Western Michigan University, B.A. (Social Science)
Professional Background
Adjunct Faculty, Michigan State University 2023 - present; University of Arizona Global Campus 2023 - present; Purdue University Global 2023 - present
Program Director, Justice Reform Project, Alternatives to Violent Force, University of Michigan Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan 2016 - 2024; Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Michigan Dearborn, 2014 - 2024
Director, Criminology and Criminal Justice Program, University of Michigan - Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan 2014 - 2023
Circuit Judge, 22nd Judicial Circuit, Washtenaw County Trial Court, Ann Arbor, Michigan, February, 1990 - 2014 ; Chief Judge, 2010-2014; Chief Judge
ProTem, 1992-1996, 2004-2009; Presiding Judge, Civil/Criminal Division, 1997-2009,
Washtenaw County Probate Court, Chief Judge, 2010-2014; Chief Judge Pro Tem, 2004 -2009
Washtenaw County Juvenile Court , Supervising Judge, 2001 - 2014
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
Member, Michigan Governor's Task Force on Forensic Science, 2021 - 2022
Circuit Judge, Washtenaw County, February, 1990 - 2014
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, Michigan 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
Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Michigan - Dearborn, 2014 - 2024, Courses: "Criminal Procedure and the Constitution”, "Forensic Science Evidence in Criminal Cases", "American Judicial System", " Law and Society", "Probation and Parole", "Sentencing"
Fixed term Faculty, Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice, 2023 - present, Courses: "Introduction to Forensic Science"
Associate Faculty, University of Arizona Global Campus, 2023 - present, Courses: "Applied Constitutional Law", "Forensic Science", "Introduction to Criminal Justice", Constitutional and Judicial Processes (graduate)"
Adjunct Faculty, Purdue University Global, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2023 - present, Graduate Courses: "Critical Issues in Criminal Justice”
Adjunct Faculty, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Course: “Forensic Science Evidence”, 2011 - 2013
Adjunct Faculty, Eastern Michigan University, Political Science Department, Courses: "Understanding the Judicial System"; "American Legal System", “Law & Policy in a Constitutional Democracy” 1997 - 2014
Adjunct Faculty, Eastern Michigan University, Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology Department, Courses: "Criminal Law II - Criminal Procedure", "Criminal Sentencing", “Forensic Science”, 1997 - 2014
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
Forensic Science Evidence: Can the Law Keep Up with Science?, LFB Scholarly Publishing, June, 2012
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
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
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
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
Chapters in Books
Drug Dogs: Limitations and Admissibility of Canine Alerts for Controlled Substances, Wiley Online Encyclopedia of Forensic Science (June, 2014)
Methods and Measures Used in Determining Community Sentiment, with Jared Chamberlain, in Handbook of Community Sentiment, Springer Publishing (2014)
"Forensic Science Evidence and Miscarriages of Justice" Chapter in Advances in Forensic Human Identification, eds. Xanthe Mallett, Teri Blythe, & Rachel Berry, Boca Raton FL: CRC Press, 2014
"CSI Effect” Chapter in Battleground: Criminal Justice, edited by Gregg Barak, Westport CT: Greenwood Press, 2007
"Motion Practice" Chapter in Michigan Basic Trial Practice Handbook, Bishop and Shelton, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1981
Articles and Research Papers
Michigan Task Force on Forensic Science Report and Recommendations (participant), December 21, 2022.
Book Review: "Ashes and Sparks" Viewed from Across the Pond, Critical Criminology: An International Journal, (DOI) 10.1007/s10612-013-9182-7 (2013)
Studying Juror Expectations for Scientific Evidence: A New Model for Looking at the CSI Myth, with G. Barak & Y. Kim, 47 Court Review 8 (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, 29 Behavioral Sciences and The Law 395-418 (May/June 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
Harnessing AI for Forensics Symposium, Keynote Panel, National Institute of Standards and Technology and RTI International, Washington, D.C., July 9, 2025
What Experts and Attorneys Need to Know About the New Federal Rule of Evidence 702, Webinar, Forensic Expert Witness Association, April 29, 2025
What Experts and Attorneys (and hopefully judges) Need to Know About the New Federal Rule of Evidence 702, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 77th Annual Scientific Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, February 21, 2025
A Double-Edged Sword: Exploring the Benefits and Perils of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Plenary Session Panel, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 77th Annual Scientific Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, February19, 2025 (video)
Juror Expectations of Forensic Science Evidence, Interdisciplinary Session, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 77th Annual Scientific Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, February 18, 2025
Why Judges Won't Be Gatekeepers, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 76th Annual Scientific Meeting, Denver, Colorado, February 22, 2024.
Genetic Genealogy and Cold Cases Webinar, with CeCe Moore, Michigan Judicial Institute, November 8, 2023.
Genetic Genealogy and Law Enforcement, Michigan Judges Association Annual Conference, Mackinac island, Michigan, August 15, 2023
Forensic Science Evidence: '"the times they are a changin", Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 18, 2023
The Admissibility of "Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome" Testimony in Criminal Cases, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 75th Annual Scientific Meeting, February 18, 2023.
Amendments to FRE 702: Some Teeth for Daubert?, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 75th Annual Scientific Meeting, February 17, 2023.
Forensic science Experts: What the Judge and Jury Expect, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 75th Annual Scientific Meeting, February 14, 2023.
Discredited Forensic Evidence and Testimony, National Courts and Sciences Institute, via Zoom, May 27, 2022
Science, Technology and Jurors: An Update, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting, virtual, February 18, 2021
Criminal Justice and DNA, The Jeffares Speaker Series, Next Center, via Zoom, November 19, 2020.
Criminal Justice, Police Reform and Public Safety, Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, via Zoom, September 25, 2020.
Using Genetic Genealogy to Solve Crimes. accepted for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology which was to be held in November of 2020 in Washington, D.C. but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 issues
Genetic Genealogy and Law Enforcement: New Bedfellows, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 72d Annual Scientific Meeting, Anaheim, California, February 21, 2020
Genetic Genealogy: Science, Law and Ethics, Workshop Co-director and Presenter, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 72d Annual Scientific Meeting, Anaheim, California, February 18, 2020
The DNA Revolution in Genealogy, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 72d Annual Scientific Meeting, Anaheim, California, February 18, 2020
Genetic Genealogy: Admissibility Issues from the Prosecution Perspective, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 72d Annual Scientific Meeting, Anaheim, California, February 18, 2020
The Criminology Theory of Relativity: Using Genealogy Databases to Solve Crimes, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, February 24, 2019
The Criminology Theory of Relativity: Using Genealogy Databases to Solve Crimes, with Dr. Fred Bieber, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 71st Annual Scientific Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, February 21, 2019
The Criminology Theory of Relativity: Using Genealogy Databases to Solve Crimes, CASL Faculty Research Slam. University of Michigan Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, October 26, 2018
Faces of Addiction - Casualties of the 'War on Drugs', Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Michigan, Ypsilanti, Michigan, May 17, 2018
The Science and Law of Solitary Confinement, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 70th Annual Scientific Meeting, Seattle,
Washington, February 23, 2018.
CSI Effect’: Do TV Programs Really Change Behavior, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, February 14, 2018
Warrior v. Guardian: The Dichotomy of Policing in America, State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section Annual Meeting, Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan, September 29, 2017
Criminal Sentencing and Casualties of the "War on Drugs"; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 29, 2017
Science and Law: Ships Passing in the Night; American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 16, 2017.
Social Media and the Justice System; American Academy of Forensic Sciences 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 16, 2017.
Viewing Research Through Different Lenses: How to Achieve Success in Court, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 15, 2017
CSI Effect’: Do TV Programs Really Change Behavior, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, December 7, 2016
Why are We Sending Innocent People to Prison? The Double-Edged Sword of DNA, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, November 16, 2016
Civil Rights in Constitutional Democracy: A Balancing Act, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 12, 2016
The CSI Effect: Perception and Reality, Keynote Address, Federal Bar Association, Utah Chapter 10th Annual Criminal Law Seminar, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 20, 2016
The Baby Tyler Case: Should Medical Examiners Have Access to Statements Obtained by Law Enforcement to Determine Manner and Cause of Death?, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 68 Annual Scientific Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 25, 2016.
Holding the Gate Open or Closing It: Evolving Frye and Daubert Approaches, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 67 Annual Scientific Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 25, 2016.
Limitations on the use of Canine Alerts for Controlled Substances, Michigan HIDTA Executive Council , Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan, February 3, 2016.
Science and Judges: Looking Forward, Illinois Advanced Judicial Academy, University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois, June 11, 2015
Science, Technology and the Courts: Strange Bedfellows?, Illinois Advanced Judicial Academy, University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois, June 8, 2015
Looking Back or Looking Forward?: Gatekeeper Hearings, Stare Decisis, and Judicial Notice, "The Role of the Courts in Improving Forensic Science", Symposium, American Bar Association and Northwestern University Law School, Chicago, Illinois, April 10, 2015
Closing the Gate on Biased Expert Testimony: The Judicial Perspective, "Cognitive Bias" Workshop, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 67 Annual Scientific Meeting, Orlando, Florida, February 16, 2014
The CSI Myth and Reality: Jurors', Judges' and Litigators' Expectations for Scientific Evidence, American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, 45th Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, October 26, 2014
Presenting Science in the Courtroom, 2014 Advances in Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 14, 2014.
Bias in Forensic Science Evidence: From the Laboratory to the Courtroom, 2014 Essentials of Forensic Science for Legal Professionals, West Virginia University Forensic Science Initiative, Morgantown, West Virginia, March 12, 2014
Forensic Expert Bias: A Judicial Perspective, "Bias in Forensics" Workshop, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 66 Annual Scientific Meeting, Seattle, Washington, February 17, 2014
The Admissibility of Human Scent Evidence: From Bloodhounds to the Body Farm, Donald E. Shelton and Jose Baez, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 66 Annual Scientific Meeting, Seattle, Washington, February 22, 2014
Judicial Bias and Scientific Evidence in Criminal Cases, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 65* Annual Scientific Meeting, Washington, D.C., February 21, 2013
Can the Defense Attorney Win (or even get) an Admissibility Hearing: Daubert, the NAS Report, Inadequate Lawyering, and Biased Judges, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Washington, D.C., February 22, 2013
The CSI Myth and Reality: Jurors’, Judges’ and Litigators’ Expectations for Scientific Evidence, Ohio Common Pleas Judges Association Summer
Conference, Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College, Sandusky, Ohio, June 21, 2012
The CSI Myth: Expectations for Scientific Evidence, Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division, Lansing, MI, June 14, 2012
The Human Consequences of Court Cost Funding, Michigan Association For Justice “View from the Bench” Seminar, May 21, 2012, Northville, MI
Global Gatekeeping?: A Comparative Analysis of the Judicial Process for Determining the Reliability of Proffered Expert Testimony, American Academy of Forensic Sciences 64 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 64 Annual Scientific Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, February 23, 2012
Judges Panel: Key eDiscovery Mistakes to Avoid, eDiscovery for Pharma, Biotech and Medical Device Industries, Philadelphia, PA, October 25, 2011
Voir Dire: The Judges'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 Current 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
"No Googling - No Texting" Jury Instruction Video, Jury Selection, Trial and Deliberations Resource Guide, National Center for State Courts, 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
ffective 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 BarAssociation, Judicial Division, Annual Meeting, 1999
Electronic Filing, Seminar, Michigan Association for Legal SupportProfessionals, 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 ContinuingLegal 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 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, Articles and Appearances
' "'CSI Effect' Remains a Myth, Retired Judge Says on 20th Anniversary of Popular Forensic Science Show", ABA Journal, October 6, 2020
"Our Discussion with Former Mayor Donald Shelton". The Saline Journal, October 25, 2019
"Judges, Lawyers and Scientists: Why Can't We All Just Get Along", Forensic Magazine, February 19, 2017
"A guardian mindset: New program helps police think through ways to handle confrontations"- University of Michigan Dearborn News, January 30, 2017
"Alternatives to Violent Force - Police re-training program shifts mentality from warrior to guardian", Michigan Radio WUOM "Stateside", January 4, 2017
"Forensic Science on Trial: The Honorable Donald Shelton on Forensic Science and the Courts", Crime and Science Radio, March 28, 2015
"Judge Donald Shelton Leaving Bench to Run Program at University of Michigan", WEMU, April 9, 2014
"Scholarly Look - Judge Pens Sequel to Book on Forensics", LegalNews.com, December 6, 2012
"Forensic Science Falls Short of Public Image", Stateline, Pew Center on the States, November 26, 2012
"The Real CSI", Frontline, PBS, April 17, 2012
"Should Juries for High Profile Cases be Anonymous?", Informed Debate, Costco Connection, May 2012
"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
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 ' Distinguished Service Award, Saline Jaycees, 1985
Outstanding Young Man of the Year, Saline Jaycees, 1976
Memberships and Activities
Member, Governor's Task Force on Forensic Science, State of Michigan, 2021
Chair, American Academy of Forensic Sciences Jurisprudence Section, 2021-2022
Fellow, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Jurisprudence Section, 2009 - present
Section Secretary, Jurisprudence Section, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2020 - 2021
Member, Technology Committee, American Bar Association, Judicial Division, 2004 - 2015
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
Board of Directors, Washtenaw County Domestic Violence Project, 1991 - 1997
Executive Committee, Southeast Michigan March of Dimes, 1989 -1992 ' 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, 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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