Judge Mary Ellen Brennan
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- Chambers Drop Off • At Least 7 Days Before Trial
Jury Instructions
- At Least 7 Days Before Trial
Binding: Three Ring Binder
Motion
- Chambers Drop Off • By Thursday at Noon
Trial Brief
- Chambers Drop Off • At Least One Week Before Trial
Communication
Clerk6 contacts
Chambers1 contacts
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Jury instructions are due one week prior to trial and must be delivered to chambers in a 3-ring binder.
- Binding
- Three-ring binder
- Jury instructions
Each party shall submit a copy of proposed jury instructions and verdict forms to the Court at least 7 days before trial in both paper (delivered to chambers) and electronic (Word) forms.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed jury instructions
- Verdict forms
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
To do so, the parties must submit a stipulated order that includes the name of the facilitator, and the date and time of facilitation.
The moving party must then file a praecipe for the hearing date.
If a praecipe is not filed, the motion will not be heard on the scheduled date.
Each party shall submit a copy of proposed jury instructions and verdict forms to the Court at least 7 days before trial in both paper (delivered to chambers) and electronic (Word) forms.
Exhibits should be marked prior to trial (Plaintiff – numbers; Defendant – letters).
The trial brief should contain a brief statement of pertinent facts, a statement of the issues to be tried, an identification of controlling law, and a brief analysis of the evidentiary and legal issues.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
In criminal cases, attorneys should attach themselves to their case in e-file to receive filings and are responsible for e-filing their own documents.
E-File: Attorneys should attach themselves to their case in e-file to receive filings. Attorneys are responsible for e-filing their own documents.
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Filing Timing and Cure Windows
In criminal cases, jury instructions are due one week before trial and must be delivered to chambers in a three-ring binder.
Jury instructions are due one week prior to trial and must be delivered to chambers in a 3-ring binder.
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The Court will enter a scheduling order with a hearing date and briefing schedule within 21 days after a summary disposition motion is filed.
Once the motion is filed, the Court will enter a scheduling order with a hearing date and briefing schedule within 21 days of motion being filed.
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In criminal cases, sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should reach chambers by Tuesday at noon.
All sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to turnerk@OaklandCountyMI.gov and/or delivered to chambers by Tuesday at noon.
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Courtesy Copy Requirements
For all motions, a Judge’s Copy must be delivered to the Judge’s Chambers by Thursday at noon; if not received on time, you may be instructed to re-praecipe.
Judge’s Copies: A Judge’s Copy must be delivered to the Judge’s Chambers for all motions by Thursday at noon. If the Court does not receive a timely Judge’s copy, you may be instructed to re-praecipe.
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Please deliver a binder containing the exhibits to chambers at least 7 days before trial.
Please deliver a binder containing the exhibits to chambers at least 7 days before trial.
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In jury trials, jury instructions must be filed and delivered to chambers at least 7 days before trial in a three-ring binder.
In jury trial jury instructions shall be filed and delivered to chambers at least 7 days before trial in a 3-ring binder.
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In bench trials, briefs must be filed and delivered to chambers at least one week before trial.
In bench trial briefs shall be filed and delivered to chambers at least one week before trial.
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Filing Bundling Requirements
Counsel shall attempt to stipulate exhibits before the trial date.
Counsel shall attempt to stipulate exhibits before the trial date.
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The Court encourages parties to agree on jury instructions and submit them jointly.
The court encourages parties to agree upon instructions before submitting them and submit them as joint jury instructions.
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Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A motion for summary disposition must be noticed for hearing on “a date to be set by the court.”
Summary Disposition Motions – Please notice a motion for summary disposition for hearing on “a date to be set by the court.”
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Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Scheduled trial dates are firm, and a motion must be filed to adjourn a trial.
Trial dates that are scheduled are firm dates. If you are looking to adjourn trial a motion must be filed.
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The parties may stipulate to the first adjournment of due dates if the trial date will not be affected.
The parties may stipulate the first adjournment of due dates if the trial date is not impacted.
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Chambers Communication Rules
In criminal cases, sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to chambers or delivered there by Tuesday at noon.
All sentencing memoranda and letters for consideration should be emailed to turnerk@OaklandCountyMI.gov and/or delivered to chambers by Tuesday at noon.
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