Oakland County Courthouse
Courtroom 4C, Fourth Floor

• Courtroom Telephone: 248-452-2005
• Judicial Assistant: 248-421-7395
• Judicial Staff Attorney: 248-221-8851

Except by leave of the Court or as otherwise described herein, motions are scheduled pursuant to the local court rules and are heard every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Parties must praecipe motions (excluding motions for summary disposition) for any Wednesday of their choice. No add-ons are permitted. The judge takes the bench promptly at 8:30 a.m. Parties are expected to complete an order in accordance with the judge's ruling before leaving the courtroom. If you expect to be more than 15 minutes late, you must call chambers immediately to inform the staff. If the non-moving party has not checked in by 9:30 a.m., the clerk shall call the case upon the request of the moving party and the Court may grant the requested relief if appropriate. If the moving party has not checked in with the clerk by 9:30 a.m., the Court may dismiss the motion. This protocol applies to motion call held via zoom as the Court may continue to address these matters remotely.

Orders

Parties are expected to sign each order approved as to substance/form prior to its e-filed submission.  Parties are required to file the order under the 7-Day Rule if unable to obtain all signatures.  If a timely objections is filed, then the Court will set a hearing to be held during the Court's motion call.

Responsive Pleadings

Any responsive pleadings must be filed no later than the Monday before the motion. The cut-off time is noon. Any late filing will not be considered.

Adjourning Motions

Only the moving party may adjourn their motion. The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00 p.m. the Tuesday before the Court is scheduled to hear the motion. The moving party shall notify other parties that the motion has been adjourned.

Dispositive Motions

The staff attorney will set a motion for summary disposition date upon receipt of the filed motion. It is not necessary to contact the staff attorney to receive a hearing date. Please file a praecipe and a notice of hearing when that date has been provided by the Court's staff attorney. Motions which exceed the page limit will be rejected. Late filings will be rejected.

Motions for Reconsideration; Motion for Resentencing

A judge's copy is required. Unless the Court otherwise indicates, no hearing is scheduled, and no response is required.

Emergency Motions

A request for an emergency hearing may be submitted anytime. To be considered, a written motion explaining the request must be submitted to the Court directly after the motion has been e-filed. Please email the emergency motion to JudgeRoweChambers@oakgov.com after the motion has been e-filed. Oral requests for an emergency motion will not be considered. The moving party shall call chambers to inform the Court that an emergency motion has been filed.

Appeals

Follow court rules for license restoration and district court appeals.

Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) and Preliminary Injunctions

The Court strictly adheres to MCR 3.310 and will only grant ex parte relief in accordance with the court rules. The Court may accelerate the briefing schedule for motions for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction if good cause is shown.

Discovery Master (Motions to Compel)

Motions to compel will be referred to the discovery master for resolution. If the parties are not able to resolve, then the moving must file a praecipe for the motion to be heard on the next available motion call. Discovery recommendations shall be e-filed immediately following the meeting with the Discovery Master.

Request to Seize Property

Parties must submit an attached itemized statement to the request for consideration.

Motion for Alternate Service

Parties must include an affidavit of at least 3 attempts of service on separate weeks and a postal verification for consideration.

The Court holds criminal call on Mondays. The judge takes the bench promptly. If you expect to be more than 15 minutes late, you must call chambers to inform the staff where you are. If you need to leave the courtroom for any reason, you must inform the clerk.

Arraignments by Mail

This Court will accept arraignments by mail. Parties must appear for arraignment if an arraignment by mail is not timely submitted.

Adjournments

The Court will consider reasonable requests for adjournment.

People v Cobbs

The Court may consider pleas made pursuant to People v. Cobbs at arraignment or the pre-trial conference. It is within the Court's discretion to accept pleas made pursuant to Cobbs on the day of trial.

Motion Cut-Off

All motions on criminal cases must be filed and heard at least two weeks prior to the scheduled trial date. Motions in limine and dispositive motion deadline remains consistent with original trial date unless a motion or order has been entered adjourning the cut-off date.

Sentencing Memoranda

All sentencing memoranda and any other documentation for the Court's consideration must be submitted at least three days prior to sentencing. Please email the sentencing memoranda to the Court's staff at JudgeRowechamers@oakgov.com.

Status Conferences

Status conferences are held at the discretion of the Court and may be held by stipulation of the parties . Clients need not attend these conferences.

Settlement and Final Pre-Trial Conferences

The Court holds meaningful settlement and final pre-trial conferences after case evaluation. Clients, trial counsel, and insurance adjusters with full settlement authority (if applicable) shall appear at these conferences, which are held in person.

A final pretrial order will be issued in all civil and criminal cases.

Schedule

Parties will be informed of the trial schedule on the day of trial. Parties may also contact the Court Staff for questions regarding the trial schedule.

Exhibits

Counsel should stipulate to as many exhibits as possible before the trial date. Exhibits should be marked prior to trial (Plaintiff – numbers; Defendant – letters). The Case Management Order also provides more details regarding exhibits.

Voir Dire

The Court conducts general voir dire, and, under most circumstances, attorneys conduct voir dire related to the circumstances of the case. Attorneys shall refer to jurors by seat number and/or juror number.

Adjournments

The Court will consider reasonable adjournments via stip. Parties will be notified in the rejection notification if a motion is required.

Jurors (generally)

The Court permits jurors to take notes. The Court does not permit jurors to ask questions. The Court provides the jury with written jury instructions for deliberations.

Jury Instructions

A stipulated set of jury instructions and verdict form must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date. Any disputed jury instructions or verdict form must be clearly marked and included with the stipulated jury instruction packet. The attorneys shall provide an electronic copy of the jury instructions including the verdict form to the Judicial Staff Attorney on the date of trial.

Bench Brief

The brief must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.

Jury Instructions/ Verdict Form

The Prosecutor provides a set of final jury instructions and verdict form in electronic form to the Judicial Staff Attorney at least seven days before trial. The Defense must review the jury instructions and notify the Judicial Staff Attorney regarding any objections or request for additional jury instructions.

All parties shall be respectful to the Court, court staff, opposing parties, and others.

Anyone appearing in court should be dressed appropriately. Those dressed inappropriately risk not having their case heard. In accordance with local rules, men will be asked to remove their hats. Cell phones must be silenced. Any cell phone that rings while Court is in session may be confiscated.

Zoom Instructions

• Tablets and Phones: Install the Zoom App from the App Store or Play Store prior to the call. At the time of the call, launch the Zoom app and join using Meeting ID 248 452 2005
• Desktop PCs and Laptops: From the browser, go to the Zoom Website. Click on "Join the Meeting." Join using Meeting ID 248 452 2005
• Audio-only via Telephone: Call 646-876-9923 and enter Meeting ID 248 452 2005

At this time, motion call and certain matters under special circumstances will continue to be held remotely. Please refer to the zoom instructions above for zoom access. Please refer to the Court calendar, register of actions or contact the Court if there are additional questions pertaining to a matter being held remotely or in person.

Public Access to Hearings

Court Calendar

Participants are reminded that all virtual court appearances are an extension of the courtroom; therefore, parties must adhere to proper conduct and appropriate attire is required. The Judge has full power over remote participants as if they were present in the physical court room.

Zoom participants can choose to view anonymously by ensuring they are named as Public and turning off their video. If you need assistance with this, please ask the clerk when joining the hearing. Viewers are prohibited from recording or otherwise copying court proceedings.