Judge Cheryl A. Matthews
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Brief
Motion For Reconsideration
Reconsideration Motions
Summary Disposition Brief
Communication
Clerk3 contacts
- floodr@oakgov.com
- wortmank@oakgov.com
- 248-858-0582
Other Contacts3 contacts
- williamsam@oakgov.com
- 248-858-5840
- 248-858-0344
Chambers1 contacts
- 248-858-0332
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Preliminary jury instructions must use plain paper and contain no case-law citations.
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.
Paper
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted on plain paper and contain no case-law citations.
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.
Paper
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties before trial begins.
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties prior to the start of trial.
Plaintiff exhibits must use numeric labels, while defense exhibits must use alphabetic labels.
Exhibits shall be labeled as follows: Plaintiff – numbers; Defense – letters.
Plaintiff exhibits must use numerical labels, while defense exhibits must use letter labels.
Exhibits shall be labeled as follows: Plaintiff – numbers; Defense – letters.
Document Filing Requirements15 rules
Parties must file responses to all contested motions, and failure to respond may lead the Court to dispense with oral argument.
The Court requires parties to file responses to all contested motions. Failure to file a response may result in the Court dispensing with oral argument. MCR 2.119(E)(3).
Document Type
Response
The parties must mark and agree to all exhibits before trial begins.
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties prior to the start of trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Proposed findings are required for bench trials.
The Court requires proposed findings in bench trials.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted on plain paper without case-law citations no later than one week before trial.
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.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
A bench book containing the exhibits is required for every trial.
The Court requires a bench book of exhibits for all trials.
Document Type
Bench Book Of Exhibits
A settled civil case requires a dispositive order to be filed before the trial date.
If a civil case is settled prior to trial, an order disposing of the case must be filed prior to the trial date.
Document Type
Dispositive Order
Each defendant requires a separate motion.
A separate motion for each defendant must be filed.
Document Type
Motion
Parties must respond to every contested motion, and failure to respond may result in dispensing with oral argument.
The Court requires parties to file responses to all contested motions. Failure to file a response may result in the Court dispensing with oral argument. MCR 2.119(E)(3).
Document Type
Response
A bench book containing the trial exhibits is required for every trial.
The Court requires a bench book of exhibits for all trials.
Document Type
Bench Book
Preliminary jury instructions are mandatory and must be submitted by plain paper, without case-law citations, no later than one week before trial.
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.
Document Type
Preliminary Jury Instructions
A settled civil case requires an order disposing of the case to be filed before the trial date.
If a civil case is settled prior to trial, an order disposing of the case must be filed prior to the trial date.
Document Type
Disposition Order
A separate motion for a second summons must be filed for each defendant.
A separate motion for each defendant must be filed.
Document Type
Motion For Second Summons
Proposed findings are required in bench trials.
The Court requires proposed findings in bench trials.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
A party seeking to exceed the applicable page limit must file a separate motion.
A separate motion must be filed to exceed page limit (see MCR 2.119(A)(2)).
Document Type
Motion To Exceed Page Limit
A motion for alternate service must include a process-server affidavit detailing at least three personal-service attempts varied in time and day of the week.
A process server Affidavit indicating the specific attempts at personal service (minimum of three attempts, varied in time and day of week) is required.
Document Type
Process Server Affidavit
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions in limine must be heard no later than one week before trial, unless an issued scheduling or pretrial order sets a different time.
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
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form must be submitted one week before trial.
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week prior to trial.
Page 3 | TRIAL
Preliminary jury instructions are due 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.
Page 3 | TRIAL
If no dispositive order is filed by the trial date, the parties must appear to place the settlement on the record, or the court may 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 3 | TRIAL
Jury instructions and the verdict form must be submitted one week before trial.
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week prior to trial.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
A motion in limine must be filed at least two weeks before trial and heard no later than one week before trial, subject to the scheduling order.
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
A motion 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
Absent a final order entered by 4:30 p.m. on the preceding business day, parties must appear at the scheduled trial or face dismissal of their action.
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
Preliminary jury instructions are due 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.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
For a civil case settled before trial, the disposition order must be filed before the trial date.
If a civil case is settled prior to trial, an order disposing of the case must be filed prior to the trial date.
Page 1 | Note
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A motion for alternate service must include a process-server affidavit describing specific personal-service attempts, with at least three attempts varied in time and day of week.
A process server Affidavit indicating the specific attempts at personal service (minimum of three attempts, varied in time and day of week) is required.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE Motions for Alternate Service
A request for an extension must document at least one attempted personal service or other sufficient attempts to accomplish service.
Must show at least one attempt of personal service or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Page 3 | Not stated
Personal service for alternate service requires at least three attempts varied in time and day of the week and documented by a process-server affidavit.
A process server Affidavit indicating the specific attempts at personal service (minimum of three attempts, varied in time and day of week) is required.
Page 1 | Motions for Alternate Service
A request for a second summons must establish at least one personal-service attempt or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Must show at least one attempt of personal service or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
The proposed order for an alternate-service motion may require certified mail, posting or affixing, publication for three consecutive weeks, and/or first-class mail.
Specific requirements of the proposed order may include: (1) Certified mail (return receipt requested) to the last known address; (2) Posting/affixing to the last known address; (3) Publication in the “Oakland County Legal News” for three consecutive weeks; and/or (4) First class mail.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE Motions for Alternate Service
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A judge’s copy of every summary disposition brief is required.
A judge’s copy is required of all summary disposition briefs.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE Dispositive Motions
A judge’s copy of the motion for reconsideration is required.
A judge’s copy is required.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE Motion for Reconsideration
One judge's copy of every summary disposition brief is required.
A judge's copy is required of all summary disposition briefs.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
A motion for reconsideration requires one judge's copy and ordinarily requires neither a hearing nor a response unless the Court directs otherwise.
A judge’s copy is required. Unless the Court otherwise indicates, no hearing is scheduled and no response is required. (See MCR 2.119(F))
Page 1 | Motion for Reconsideration
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The court will consider a 45-day or 60-day extension when appropriate.
A 45-day (or 60-DAY) extension will be considered when appropriate.
Page 3 | Not stated
Case-evaluation adjournments may be requested by motion.
Adjournments allowed by motion.
Page 3 | CASE EVALUATION
A trial adjournment may be requested by motion upon a showing of good cause.
Adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Page 3 | TRIAL
A 45-day or 60-day extension may be considered when appropriate.
A 45-day (or 60-day) extension will be considered when appropriate.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Adjournments must be requested by motion and are allowed for good cause.
Adjournments allowed by motion. The docket is computer-generated. Adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Chambers Communication Rules
Telephone conferences are seldom allowed and require the Court’s advance approval.
Telephone conferences are seldom allowed and must be approved in advance by the Court.
Page 1 | SCHEDULING CONFERENCE Civil
Telephone conferences are seldom permitted and require the Court's advance approval.
Telephone conferences are seldom allowed and must be approved in advance by the Court.
Page 1 | Civil
Chambers may be called for information about criminal bench warrants.
Call chambers for more information on criminal bench warrants.
Page 2 | SCHEDULING CONFERENCE Criminal
For civil matters, contact Judge Matthews' clerks by email at floodr@oakgov.com or wortmank@oakgov.com or by phone at 248-858-0332.
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, contact Ashley Williams by email at williamsam@oakgov.com or by phone at 248-858-5840.
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