Judge Kwamé L. Rowe
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Dispositive Motion
Reconsideration Motions
Summary Judgment Motions
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-widePage & Word Limits1 rule
Motions exceeding the applicable page limit will be rejected.
Motions which exceed the page limit will be rejected.
Motion
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Exhibits should be marked before trial, with plaintiffs using numbers and defendants using letters.
Exhibits should be marked prior to trial (Plaintiff – numbers; Defendant – letters).
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
After an unresolved Discovery Master meeting, the moving party must re-praecipe the motion and include the word “unresolved” in its title for the next available motion date.
the moving party must re-praecipe the motion, and include the word “unresolved” in the motion title for the next available motion date.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
If discovery issues remain unresolved after the Discovery Master meeting, the moving party must re-praecipe the motion for the next available date and include “unresolved” in its title.
The moving party must re-praecipe the motion, and include the word “unresolved” in the motion title for the next available motion date.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
An emergency-hearing request may be submitted at any time by motion.
A request for an emergency hearing may be submitted anytime via motion.
Document Type
Motion
A motion for alternate service must include an affidavit documenting at least three service attempts on separate weeks and postal verification.
Parties must include an affidavit of at least 3 attempts of service on separate weeks and a postal verification for consideration.
Document Type
Motion
Each order approved as to substance and form must be signed before electronic filing.
Parties are expected to sign each order approved as to substance/form prior to its e-filed submission.
Document Type
Order
After receiving a hearing date from the staff attorney, the moving party must file a praecipe and notice of hearing.
Please file a praecipe and a notice of hearing when that date has been provided by the Court’s staff attorney.
Document Type
Notice Of Motion
Motions other than motions for summary disposition must be praecipiced for a chosen Wednesday.
Parties must praecipe motions (excluding motions for summary disposition) for any Wednesday of their choice.
Document Type
Notice Of Motion
Motions to compel must be referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Motions to Compel will be referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Disputed jury instructions or the verdict form must be clearly marked and included in the stipulated jury-instruction packet.
Any disputed jury instructions or verdict form must be clearly marked and included with the stipulated jury instruction packet.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
A request to seize property must include an attached itemized statement.
Parties must submit an attached itemized statement to the request for consideration.
Document Type
Request To Seize Property
Parties must file a praecipe for any motion other than a motion for summary disposition.
Parties must praecipe motions (excluding motions for summary disposition) for any Wednesday of their choice.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
For an emergency motion, the moving party must electronically file the motion, email chambers at the stated address, and wait for the Court's decision.
The moving party must 1) e-file the emergency motion, 2) Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov ,3) wait to receive a decision from the Court as to the emergency request.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
An emergency motion must be e-filed, the court staff must be notified by email, and the party must await the Court’s decision; oral emergency requests will not be considered.
A request for an emergency hearing may be submitted anytime via motion. The moving party must 1) e-file the emergency motion, 2) Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oakgov.com ,3) wait to receive a decision from the Court as to the emergency request. Oral requests for an emergency motion will not be considered.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
Discovery recommendations must be e-filed immediately after the Discovery Master meeting, regardless of whether discovery issues were resolved.
Discovery recommendations shall be e-filed immediately following the meeting with the Discovery Master whether parties have resolved their discovery issues or not.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
The court permits mail-based waivers of arraignment through Mi-File, but parties must appear if the waiver is not timely submitted.
Arraignments by Mail: This Court will accept arraignments by mail (waiver of arraignments) via Mi-File. Parties must appear for arraignment if the ABM is not timely submitted.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
Discovery recommendations must be electronically filed immediately after the Discovery Master meeting regardless of whether discovery issues were resolved.
Discovery recommendations shall be e-filed immediately following the meeting with the Discovery Master whether parties have resolved their discovery issues or not.
Page 1 | Discovery Master (Motions to Compel)
The Court accepts mail arraignments or waivers of arraignment through Mi-File.
This Court will accept arraignments by mail (waiver of arraignments) via Mi-File.
Page 1 | Arraignments by Mail
The Prosecutor must provide final jury instructions and the verdict form electronically to the Judicial Staff Attorney on or before the trial date.
The Prosecutor provides a set of final jury instructions and verdict form in electronic form to the Judicial Staff Attorney on or before the day of trial.
Page 1 | Jury Instructions/ Verdict Form
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Sentencing memoranda and other documents for the Court's consideration must be submitted at least three days before sentencing.
All sentencing memoranda and any other documentation for the Court's consideration must be submitted at least three days prior to sentencing.
Page 1 | Sentencing Memoranda
Responsive pleadings must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on the Monday before the motion hearing.
Any responsive pleadings must be filed no later than the Monday before the motion hearing at 11:59 p.m.
Page 1 | Responsive Pleadings
Late responsive pleadings will not be considered.
Any late filing will not be considered.
Page 1 | Responsive Pleadings
Criminal-case motions must be filed and heard at least two weeks before the scheduled trial date.
All motions on criminal cases must be filed and heard at least two weeks prior to the scheduled trial date.
Page 1 | Motion Cut-Off
The stipulated jury instructions and verdict form must be filed no later than seven days before trial.
A stipulated set of jury instructions and verdict form must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Page 1 | Jury Instructions
The bench brief must be filed no later than seven days before trial.
The brief must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Page 1 | Bench Brief
Late dispositive-motion filings will be rejected.
Late filings will be rejected.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
Responsive pleadings must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on the Monday before the motion hearing, and late filings will not be considered.
Any responsive pleadings must be filed no later than the Monday before the motion hearing at 11:59 p.m. Any late filing will not be considered.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
Late filings will be rejected.
Late filings will be rejected.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
Criminal motions must be filed and heard at least two weeks before the scheduled trial date.
Motion Cut-Off: All motions on criminal cases must be filed and heard at least two weeks prior to the scheduled trial date.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
Sentencing memoranda and other documentation intended for the court’s consideration must be submitted at least three days before sentencing.
Sentencing Memoranda: All sentencing memoranda and any other documentation for the Court’s consideration must be submitted at least three days prior to sentencing.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
A stipulated set of jury instructions and the verdict form must be filed no later than seven days before trial.
Jury Instructions: A stipulated set of jury instructions and verdict form must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Page 4 | Civil Trials
Attorneys must provide the Judicial Staff Attorney an electronic copy of the jury instructions and verdict form on the trial date.
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.
Page 4 | Civil Trials
The bench brief must be filed no later than seven days before the trial date.
Bench Brief: The bench brief must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Page 4 | Civil Trials
The prosecutor must provide final jury instructions and the verdict form electronically to the Judicial Staff Attorney by the day of trial.
Jury Instructions/ Verdict Form: The Prosecutor provides a set of final jury instructions and verdict form in electronic form to the Judicial Staff Attorney on or before the day of trial.
Page 4 | Criminal Trials
If all signatures cannot be obtained, the order must be filed under the 7-Day Rule.
Parties are required to file the order under the 7-Day Rule if unable to obtain all signatures.
Page 1 | Orders
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A Judge's Copy is required for motions for reconsideration or resentencing.
A judge's copy is required.
Page 1 | Motions for Reconsideration; Motion for Resentencing
A Judge's Copy must be provided for dispositive motions.
Please provide a Judge’s Copy.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
A judge’s copy is required for motions for reconsideration and motions for resentencing.
Motions for Reconsideration; Motion for Resentencing: A judge’s copy is required.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
A Judge’s Copy is required for dispositive motions.
Please provide a Judge’s Copy.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
Filing Bundling Requirements
The motion praecipe and pleading must use the same title, and multiple requests require separate motions and praecipes rather than one combined filing.
The motion praeipe and motion pleading must have the same motion title. The Court requires separate motions and praecipes for multiple requests. The Court will not hear multiple motions in one single filing.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions to compel will be referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Motions to Compel will be referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Only the moving party may adjourn a motion; the moving party must notify chambers by 4:00 p.m. the prior Tuesday, notify the other parties, and file a re-praecipe and notice of hearing.
Only the moving party may adjourn their motion. The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00p.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. A re-praecipe and notice of hearing is required.
Page 1 | Adjourning Motions
The court will consider reasonable requests to adjourn by stipulation and will notify the parties if a motion is required.
Adjournments: The Court will consider reasonable requests to adjourn via stipulation. Parties will be notified if a motion is required.
Page 3 | Trials (Generally)
The court will consider reasonable requests to adjourn a criminal matter.
Adjournments: The Court will consider reasonable adjournment requests.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
Chambers Communication Rules
Emergency motions must be reported to Court staff by email at judgerowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov.
Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
Only the moving party may adjourn a motion, must notify chambers by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Tuesday and notify the other parties, and must file a re-praecipe and notice of hearing.
Only the moving party may adjourn their motion. The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00p.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. A re-praecipe and notice of hearing is required.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
A party that expects to be more than 15 minutes late for a motion hearing must immediately call chambers and inform staff.
If you expect to be more than 15 minutes late, you must call chambers immediately to inform the staff.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
Criminal counsel expecting to be more than 15 minutes late must call chambers and inform staff of their whereabouts.
If you expect to be more than 15 minutes late, you must call chambers to inform the staff of your whereabouts.
Page 2 | Criminal Call
Emergency motions must be reported to court staff by email at judgerowechambers@oakgov.com.
Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oakgov.com
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day
Sentencing documentation must be emailed to JudgeRowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov.
Please email this documentation to JudgeRowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov.
Page 1 | Sentencing Memoranda
A party expecting to be more than 15 minutes late must immediately call chambers and inform staff.
If you expect to be more than 15 minutes late, you must call chambers immediately to inform the staff.
Page 1 | Protocol
Sentencing memoranda and other documentation for the court’s consideration should be emailed to the specified chambers address.
Please email this documentation to judgerowechambers@oakgov.com .
Page 3 | Criminal Call
Motion hearings will be conducted by Zoom until the Court provides further notice.
Motion hearings are heard via zoom until further notice of the Court.
Page 1 | Protocol