Clay M. West
MI · Judge, 17th Circuit Court (Kent County)
Kent County circuit judge since 2023, a Yale-trained former federal prosecutor and Army Reserve judge advocate who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has pledged to protect the rule of law and promote civility in the courtroom.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Sentenced Seninta Parks to 33 to 60 years for second-degree murder, plus two years for a firearm conviction.
March 13, 2025
Source: fox17online.com
A federal court dismissed claims against him over a ruling on self-representation, citing judicial immunity.
February 26, 2025
Source: law.justia.com
Was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Kent County Circuit Court, with service starting April 17.
March 23, 2023
Source: michigan.gov
Prosecuted a federal assault case against a man accused of resisting officers. The jury acquitted the defendant.
March 3, 2021
Source: westmichiganfederalbar.org
Handled the criminal prosecution of a Chicago housing-assistance recipient charged with making false statements about her income and assets.
July 17, 2006
Source: justice.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 3 favorable
Co-prosecuted a case in which the third defendant pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.
June 9, 2021Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: justice.gov
Prosecuted two men who pleaded guilty to conspiring to export 20 semiautomatic pistols to Lebanon without authorization.
October 31, 2018Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: justice.gov
Represented federal prosecutors in an appeal that upheld admission of a defendant's statements about a pipe bomb.
April 19, 2013Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: opn.ca6.uscourts.gov
Past race Clay M. West ran in:
- Kent County Judge of Circuit Court - 17th Circuit - Incumbent · November 3, 2026 · Kent County, Michigan · incumbent