Judge Cheryl A. Matthews
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Brief
Reconsideration Motions
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
A separate motion must be filed to exceed page limit (see MCR 2.119(A)(2)).
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted to the Court on plain paper, without citation to case law, no later than one week prior to the scheduled date of trial.
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •Submit on plain paper
- •Do not include citations to case law.
- •Submit no later than one week before the scheduled trial date
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted to the Court on plain paper, without citation to case law, no later than one week prior to the scheduled date of trial.
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •Submit on plain paper
- •Do not cite case law.
Exhibits shall be labeled as follows: Plaintiff – numbers; Defense – letters.
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
The Court requires proposed findings in bench trials.
*NOTE: If a civil case is settled prior to trial, an order disposing of the case must be filed prior to the trial date.
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties prior to the start of trial.
A separate motion for each defendant must be filed.
The Court requires a bench book of exhibits for all trials.
If no order is filed, the parties must appear on the trial date to place the settlement on the record or the court will issue a dismissal order.
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week prior to trial.
A process server Affidavit indicating the specific attempts at personal service (minimum of three attempts, varied in time and day of week) is required.
The Court requires proposed findings in bench trials.
Must show at least one attempt of personal service or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
The Court requires a bench book of exhibits for all trials.
The Court requires parties to file responses to all contested motions.
A separate motion for each defendant must be filed.
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties prior to the start of trial.
The Court utilizes a final Pretrial Order, filed shortly after issuance of a scheduling order, which includes various pretrial deadlines.
Parties are encouraged to arrive with proposed orders granting/denying the requested relief.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Arraignment by mail may be considered upon a showing of good cause.
Arraignment by mail (ABM) submission will be considered with good cause showing.
Page 1 | Criminal
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Parties must appear for trial unless a final order has been entered by 4:30 p.m. on the prior business day; otherwise, the action will be dismissed.
Parties are expected to appear on the date and time set for trial if no final order has been entered by 4:30pm on the prior business day or their action will be dismissed.
Page 1 | Civil
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week before trial.
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week prior to trial.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
If no settlement-disposing order is filed before trial, parties must appear on the trial date to put the settlement on the record or the court will issue a dismissal order.
If no order is filed, the parties must appear on the trial date to place the settlement on the record or the court will issue a dismissal order.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Motions in limine must be filed at least two weeks before trial and heard no later than one week before trial, subject to compliance with other scheduling-order provisions.
Must be filed at least two weeks prior to the date of trial and heard no later than one week prior to the date of trial (dependent on compliance with all other scheduling order provisions).
Page 1 | Motions in Limine
Motions in limine must be heard no later than one week before trial, unless an issued scheduling or pretrial order provides otherwise.
Motions in limine must be heard no later than one week before trial or pursuant to an issued scheduling or pretrial order.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Must show at least one attempt of personal service or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Must show at least one attempt of personal service or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Page 3
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A judge’s copy is required for all summary disposition briefs.
A judge’s copy is required of all summary disposition briefs.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE — Dispositive Motions
A judge’s copy is required for a motion for reconsideration.
A judge’s copy is required.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE — Motion for Reconsideration
A judge’s copy must be provided for a motion for reconsideration.
A judge’s copy is required.
Page 1 | Motion for Reconsideration
A judge’s copy must be provided for every summary-disposition brief.
A judge's copy is required of all summary disposition briefs.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions in limine must be heard by one week before trial unless an issued scheduling or pretrial order governs.
Motions in limine must be heard no later than one week before trial or pursuant to an issued scheduling or pretrial order.
Page 3 | TRIAL
Exhibit objections should be resolved through motions in limine before trial begins.
Any objections to exhibits should be resolved via motions in limine prior to the start of trial.
Page 3 | TRIAL
Unless the Court directs otherwise, reconsideration motions have no scheduled hearing and require no response.
Unless the Court otherwise indicates, no hearing is scheduled and no response is required.
Page 1 | Motion for Reconsideration
Telephone conferences are seldom allowed and require advance court approval.
Telephone conferences are seldom allowed and must be approved in advance by the Court.
Page 1 | Civil
The Court may dispense with oral argument if a party fails to file a response.
Failure to file a response may result in the Court dispensing with oral argument.
Page 1 | Criminal
Summary-disposition hearings are scheduled under a separate briefing scheduling order issued by the Court.
Hearings on motions for summary disposition are scheduled pursuant to a separate, independent briefing scheduling order issued by the Court.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
Exhibit objections should be resolved through motions in limine before trial.
Any objections to exhibits should be resolved via motions in limine prior to the start of trial.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Add-on motions are permitted depending on the docket and the motion’s length.
Add-ons are allowed dependent on docket and length of the motion.
Page 1 | Criminal
Motions are heard weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.
Motions are heard weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30am.
Page 1 | Criminal
The Court schedules a hearing date after the summary-disposition motion is filed.
A hearing date will be scheduled after the motion is filed.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Adjournments are allowed by motion.
Adjournments allowed by motion.
Page 3 | CASE EVALUATION
A 45- or 60-day extension may be considered when appropriate.
A 45-day (or 60-DAY) extension will be considered when appropriate.
Page 3
Discovery time is set by the Scheduling Order and may be extended by stipulation.
The Scheduling Order dictates the time for discovery. It can be extended by stipulation.
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Trial adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Page 3 | TRIAL
Discovery deadlines are set by the Scheduling Order and may be extended by stipulation.
The Scheduling Order dictates the time for discovery. It can be extended by stipulation.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Adjournments are allowed by motion upon a showing of good cause.
Adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Adjournments are allowed by motion.
Adjournments allowed by motion.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
The Court may consider a 45- or 60-day extension when appropriate.
A 45-day (or 60-day) extension will be considered when appropriate.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Chambers Communication Rules
Call chambers for information about criminal bench warrants.
Call chambers for more information on criminal bench warrants.
Page 2 | SCHEDULING CONFERENCE — Criminal
For civil matters, Judge Matthews' clerks may be contacted by email or phone.
Please email Judge Matthews' clerks at floodr@oakgov.com and wortmank@oakgov.com or call 248-858-0332 for civil matters.
Page 1 | Honorable Cheryl A. Matthews' Contact and Zoom Information
For criminal matters, Ashley Williams may be contacted by email or phone.
For criminal matters, please contact Ashley Williams at williamsam@oakgov.com or 248-858-5840.
Page 1 | Honorable Cheryl A. Matthews' Contact and Zoom Information
Call chambers for information about criminal bench warrants.
Call chambers for more information on criminal bench warrants.
Page 1 | Criminal
Motion cases are called first-come, first-served, and parties should check in with the clerk.
Cases are called on a first-come, first-serve basis; check in with the clerk.
Page 1 | Criminal