Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 56 rules apply across Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

E-Filing

All 11

  • MiFILE permits electronic filing for all Circuit Court case types except NC and EM, and strongly encourages e-filing.

  • An FY or FX case must be changed by court order to a valid FC, FH, or FJ case code before using the stated e-filing process.

  • Electronic filing is mandatory for civil cases, both for initiating a new case and filing in an existing case.

Filing Requirements

All 10
  • Applies to
    Document
    Must include
    caption, case number

    The first page must identify the case number, parties, and document title, and any instructions appearing on that page must be removed before MiFILE submission.

  • Applies to
    Judgment of divorce

    The Record of Divorce or Annulment form must be filed before or together with the Judgment of Divorce.

  • Applies to
    Pleading document

    Every pleading or document must bear a wet or scanned ink signature or an electronic signature formatted as “/s/” followed by the filer’s name.

Bundling

All 9

  • Each distinct pleading or document must be saved and uploaded separately rather than combined into one PDF.

  • Distinct documents cannot be combined and filed in a single electronic file.

  • Pages belonging to one document and any attachments to that document must be combined before MiFILE submission rather than uploaded separately.

Formatting

All 7
  • Format
    PDF

    Documents and images should be converted to PDF, scanned at 8.5 by 11 inches, and scanned at about 200 dpi whenever possible.

  • Format
    PDF

    Do not upload smartphone images directly to MiFILE; convert or scan them into a properly sized PDF first.

  • To merge documents, upload all pages, then drag the document to be merged onto the lead document; the combined document will be submitted to the court as one document.

More categories

View all Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County rules
About Judge Martha D. Anderson

Chief Circuit Judge Pro Tempore Elected to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in November 2002; re-elected 2008 and 2014 Assignment to Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Civil/Criminal Division, 2010-Present Assignment to Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Family Division, 2003-2009 Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Friend of the Court Referee, 1979-2002 Member, Michigan Judges Association Executive Committee Chairperson, Michigan Judges Association Criminal Law Committee Appointed Member, Michigan Community Corrections Board Member, Michigan Department of Human Services, Juvenile Justice Competency Legislation Workgroup; and Michigan Department of Corrections, Presentence Investigation Report/COMPAS Workgroup Judicial Team Leader, American Inns of Court – OCBA Chapter Michigan Judges Association Representative, Michigan Legislative Workgroup for Probation & Parole Reforms (2014-2015); and Michigan Legislative Workgroup for People v. Lockridge Sentencing Guidelines (2014-2015) Court Liaison, Oakland County Bar Association Circuit Court Committee (2011-2014) President, Italian American Bar Association of Michigan (2009-2010) Trustee, CARE House of Oakland County Board of Trustees (2003-2009) Director, Women Officials' Network Board of Directors (2005-2009) Family Law Chairperson, Oakland County Bar Association Bench/Bar Conference (2007) Former Board Member, The Referees Association of Michigan Board of Directors; and Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Family and Divorce Board of Directors Former Member, Michigan Supreme Court, Family Division Joint Rules Committee Past Vice-President, Michigan Family Support Council – Southeast Region Past Treasurer, Michigan Family Support Council – State Level Recipient: Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney, Distinguished Service Award; Italian American Bar Association of Michigan, President's Award; Italian American Bar Association of Michigan, Honor Banner Award of Distinction; The Honorable Robert E. Weiss, Award for Excellence in Court Improvement; Oakland County Circuit Court - Family Division, Arthur Eugene Moore Champion of Children Award; Dads & Moms of Michigan, Judiciary Order of Merit for Outstanding Judicial Contributions; and Children's Charter of the Courts of Michigan, Inc., Promoting Improved Justice & Services to Children in Michigan Award, 2016 Italian American Bar Association of Michigan Justinian Award, The 2016 Esteemed Women of Michigan Award Member: State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Judges Association, Oakland County Bar Association, Italian American Bar Association of Michigan, American Inns of Court – OCBA Chapter and Women Officials' Network Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation and Oakland County Bar Foundation Graduate of University of Detroit Law School (1977) and Wayne State University (1973)

Chief Circuit Judge Pro Tempore, Civil Criminal Div In person courtroom: 2B Courtroom 2B, Second Floor 248-858-7954 Chambers: 248-858-7954 Clerk: 248-858-7954 AndersonChambers@oaklandcountymi.gov

Common questions about Judge Martha D. Anderson's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Martha D. Anderson?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions, proposed findings conclusions, and briefs. Details: 1 copy. One judge's copy must be delivered to chambers for motions for reconsideration, post-trial findings of fact and conclusions of law, and appellate briefs.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Judge's Copies

What must be included with final pretrial conference filings before Judge Martha D. Anderson?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. For a bench trial, the Court schedules a Zoom Final Pretrial Conference approximately one month before trial, with trial counsel required to attend unless the Court orders otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Protocol

What must be included with settlement final pretrial conference filings before Judge Martha D. Anderson?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. For a jury trial, the Court schedules an in-person Settlement/Final Pretrial Conference approximately one month before trial, and all parties with full settlement authority and their counsel must attend.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Protocol

How may parties contact Judge Martha D. Anderson's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Martha D. Anderson's chambers. The rule lists email humenchickk@oaklandcountymi.gov. Immediately after e-filing a sentencing memorandum, the filer must email the judge's judicial assistant to notify the court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section General

How does Judge Martha D. Anderson handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Martha D. Anderson. Parties may not seal documents by stipulation; sealing any filed document or record, in whole or part, requires a separate motion complying with MCR 8.119(I).

View ruleSource: page 1, section Confidential Documents/Sealing of Records

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Martha D. Anderson?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include reason for request. Parties must strictly follow the Scheduling Order, and an adjournment requires a motion showing good cause and explaining specifically why an amendment is necessary.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Protocol

Is electronic filing required before Judge Martha D. Anderson?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All motions must be e-filed with the required praecipe and hearing notice scheduling Motion Call, or the praecipe will be dismissed.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Protocol

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Martha D. Anderson?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. If a case settles, the parties must file a proposed Final Order of Dismissal before the Final Pretrial Conference or attend with their clients to place the settlement on the record.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Protocol
Complete rules summary for Judge Martha D. Anderson

A waiver of arraignment must be requested by emailing the judge's judicial assistant, and the Court decides whether to grant it.

The Early Scheduling Conference may be adjourned once for up to two weeks if all parties stipulate and the Court is available.

Parties must strictly follow the Scheduling Order, and an adjournment requires a motion showing good cause and explaining specifically why an amendment is necessary.

A discovery-extension request must identify completed discovery, remaining discovery, and why the remaining discovery was not completed under the current Scheduling Order.

For a bench trial, the Court schedules a Zoom Final Pretrial Conference approximately one month before trial, with trial counsel required to attend unless the Court orders otherwise.

If a case settles, the parties must file a proposed Final Order of Dismissal before the Final Pretrial Conference or attend with their clients to place the settlement on the record.

For a jury trial, the Court schedules an in-person Settlement/Final Pretrial Conference approximately one month before trial, and all parties with full settlement authority and their counsel must attend.

Motion Call is generally conducted by Zoom on Wednesday mornings beginning at 8:30 a.m.

All motions must be e-filed with the required praecipe and hearing notice scheduling Motion Call, or the praecipe will be dismissed.

Every motion must attach a proposed order specifying the relief requested, or the praecipe will be dismissed.

A movant may withdraw a motion by filing a notice of withdrawal, or obtain a later hearing by filing a replacement praecipe and hearing notice by noon on the Tuesday before Motion Call.

A sentencing memorandum must be e-filed at least two days before sentencing, with immediate email notice to the judge's judicial assistant.

Immediately after e-filing a sentencing memorandum, the filer must email the judge's judicial assistant to notify the court.

A movant must immediately contact the judge's chambers after filing a withdrawal notice or replacement hearing notice.

A dispositive motion must be scheduled within the Scheduling Order's time constraints, include a proposed order specifying the relief, and be accompanied simultaneously by a hearing praecipe and notice.

Parties may not seal documents by stipulation; sealing any filed document or record, in whole or part, requires a separate motion complying with MCR 8.119(I).

A proposed stipulated order that permits sealing without a separately filed sealing motion will be rejected or have the sealing provision stricken.

Criminal attorneys must attach themselves to the case in the Oakland County e-filing system to receive filings and are responsible for e-filing their own documents.

After filing an emergency motion, the movant must notify the court by calling the judge's chambers or emailing the specified civil or criminal court contact.

One judge's copy must be delivered to chambers for motions for reconsideration, post-trial findings of fact and conclusions of law, and appellate briefs.

An adjournment requires a motion and may be granted only for good cause.

The Court must schedule an Early Scheduling Conference immediately after all first responsive pleadings are filed in a civil matter, hold it by Zoom, and require trial counsel to attend.

The Court permits one stipulated adjournment of an Early Scheduling Conference for up to two weeks, subject to the Court’s availability.

A Scheduling Order may be amended only through a motion showing good cause and specifying why an amendment is necessary.

A discovery-extension request must identify completed and remaining discovery and explain why the remaining discovery was not completed under the current Scheduling Order.

For a settled bench-trial case, parties must file a proposed Final Order of Dismissal before the Final Pretrial Conference or attend with their clients to place the settlement on the record.

For an emergency civil motion, the movant must notify the Judge’s Cleraks by email at andersonchambers@oakgov.com or by calling the Judge’s Chambers.

For an emergency criminal motion, the movant must notify the Judge’s Judicial Assistant by email at humenchickk@oakgov.com or by calling the Judge’s Chambers.

A judge's copy must be delivered to chambers for motions for reconsideration, post-trial findings of fact and conclusions of law, and appellate briefs.

Criminal-case adjournments require a motion and may be granted only for good cause.

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