HUDSONVILLE, MI -- The state Judicial Tenure Commission is recommending Hudsonville District Court Judge Kenneth Post receive a 30-day unpaid suspension for "judicial misconduct."

Post came under the commission's scrutiny after he ordered a Stanton attorney to jail for contempt of court in December 2011.

At the time, the attorney advised his client not to answer questions from Post about recent drug use, because it would violate his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

Post had harsh words for the attorney in court.

After a complaint was filed with the JTC, commissioners in February heard oral arguments in the case.

JTC Executive Director Paul Fischer sought a 90-day suspension for Post.

The JTC looks at complaints against Michigan judges and makes recommendations to the state Supreme Court for possible disciplinary action.

Related: 90-day suspension sought for Ottawa County Judge Ken Post after attorney is jailed in 2011

In a newly issued opinion, commissioners said Post committed "judicial misconduct" involving the "misuse of the court's contempt power, trivialization of the court's contempt proceedings, undue interference in counsel's representation of his client, and demeaning treatment of counsel."

Commissioners are recommending the 30-day unpaid suspension and a public censure.

During the December 2011 hearing in Hudsonville District Court, Post repeatedly told attorney Scott Millard to be quiet and to sit down as Millard continued to cite the Fifth Amendment. Post explained that his motive is to get a baseline for the client's drug use so he will not test dirty.

But as the exchange carried on, he told Millard: "I'm not interested in what you think. Haven't you gotten that yet?"

Commissioners said Post had time to consider whether to hold Millard in contempt because the proceedings lasted two hours and the proceedings were recessed three times during that period.

"This factor weighs in favor of a more serious sanction," commissioners wrote.

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johntunison