Court Rules
About Judge Patricia P. Fresard

Patricia P. Fresard is a judge on the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, the state trial court serving Wayne County. The court handles trial court matters for Wayne County.

This judge's procedures are published through the court's general rules.

Common questions about Judge Patricia P. Fresard's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Patricia P. Fresard?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for joint pretrial briefs. Details: 1 copy, delivery upon filing. The parties must file a joint pre-trial brief by the ordered deadline and provide a judge's copy to the Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Final Pre-Trial Order (Form)

Does Judge Patricia P. Fresard require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Patricia P. Fresard's rules set a pre-motion procedure for discovery. Parties filing discovery motions must use the free virtual Discovery Mediation program, available Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via Zoom, by scheduling with mediator coordinator Tina Sykes.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Discovery Motions / Virtual Discovery Mediation

What must be included with stipulated order filings before Judge Patricia P. Fresard?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Stipulated ADR orders must identify the ADR process, the discovery deadline, the ADR completion date, the facilitator/mediator name, and state that ADR shall be completed no later than 60 days after the close of discovery.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Case Evaluation Procedures (MCR 2.403 Amendments)

What must be included with motion for summary disposition filings before Judge Patricia P. Fresard?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The moving party on a motion for summary disposition must file a notice of hearing and a praecipe.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure

How may parties contact Judge Patricia P. Fresard's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Patricia P. Fresard's chambers. The rule lists email Lauren.Hall@3rdcc.org. After e-filing a motion for summary disposition, parties must email a copy of the motion to the Judicial Law Clerk to obtain a hearing date and allow up to 7 days for a response.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion for Summary Disposition Procedure

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Patricia P. Fresard?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include proposed rescheduled date. Settlement conferences may be adjourned only by stipulation, no later than two weeks after the currently scheduled conference, and the parties must email or fax confirmation of the new date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Settlement Conference Procedure

Is electronic filing required before Judge Patricia P. Fresard?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. The courtroom is paperless: parties must not email or mail copies of general motions or responses/replies to the courtroom unless the Court requests otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motion Practice

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Patricia P. Fresard?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Stipulated orders selecting an alternative ADR process must be filed within 120 days of the first responsive pleading.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Case Evaluation Procedures (MCR 2.403 Amendments)

What service or proof of service rules apply before Judge Patricia P. Fresard?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: timing: 7 calendar days before hearing. The motion for default judgment must be served at least 7 days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Checklist for Motions for Default Judgment
Complete rules summary for Judge Patricia P. Fresard

Parties having Zoom connection difficulties or needing a call-in number should call 313-224-5430.

The courtroom phone (313) 224-5430 is available during hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The courtroom email address for contact with the judge's chambers is judgefresard-court@3rdcc.org.

Adjournment of case evaluation is by motion; parties may stipulate to adjourn discovery through case evaluation only if case evaluation has never been adjourned.

Stipulated orders selecting an alternative ADR process must be filed within 120 days of the first responsive pleading.

Stipulated ADR orders must identify the ADR process, the discovery deadline, the ADR completion date, the facilitator/mediator name, and state that ADR shall be completed no later than 60 days after the close of discovery.

The ADR process must be completed on or before the scheduled case evaluation date unless an extension has been requested.

Case evaluation summaries and supporting documents are due within 7 days of the hearing, and untimely filing subjects the offending attorney or party to a $150.00 penalty.

Summaries filed within 24 hours of the hearing result in an additional $150.00 penalty for the offending attorney or party.

Settlement conferences may be adjourned only by stipulation, no later than two weeks after the currently scheduled conference, and the parties must email or fax confirmation of the new date.

The Court will not adjourn a settlement conference more than 3 weeks to accommodate facilitation.

Motions for summary disposition must be heard no later than 60 days before the scheduled trial date.

After e-filing a motion for summary disposition, parties must email a copy of the motion to the Judicial Law Clerk to obtain a hearing date and allow up to 7 days for a response.

The moving party on a motion for summary disposition must file a notice of hearing and a praecipe.

Responses (including briefs) and replies to motions for summary disposition must be filed and served in accordance with MCR 2.116(G)(1)(a).

If the response to a summary disposition motion is not timely filed, the moving party may file an order granting the motion.

The courtroom is paperless: parties must not email or mail copies of general motions or responses/replies to the courtroom unless the Court requests otherwise.

The moving party may request an adjournment of a summary disposition motion by contacting the law clerk, who will determine the next available date.

Parties must check their praecipe to determine whether the motion will be heard with or without oral argument, and a motion will not be docketed unless its praecipe is accepted.

The motion for default judgment must be served at least 7 days before the hearing.

Notices of hearing must state that the hearing will be by Zoom and include the Zoom instructions for Judge Fresard's courtroom.

Motions may be adjourned by the moving party upon a call or email to the Court.

Every motion to adjourn dates must attach the scheduling order and list all relevant dates, including the filing date, in the body of the motion.

Parties filing discovery motions must use the free virtual Discovery Mediation program, available Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via Zoom, by scheduling with mediator coordinator Tina Sykes.

Motions for default judgment must include all relevant documents and an affidavit from a person with knowledge of the facts supporting the requested relief.

Motions for default judgment must be supported by a completed checklist: complaint filed and served, no answer per MCR 2.108, notice of default with non-military affidavit, proofs of service, motion served 7 days before hearing, and notice of hearing with Zoom information served and filed with proof of service.

On appeal, oral arguments may be rescheduled by agreement within a week of the original date, but in no event later than six months after the filing date.

The parties must file a joint pre-trial brief by the ordered deadline and provide a judge's copy to the Court.

The joint pre-trial brief must contain ten required elements: claims and legal theories, numbered stipulations of fact, issues of fact and law to be litigated, likely evidence problems and motions in limine, witness lists with testimony synopses and examination times, identified exhibits, trial type and estimated length, requested jury instructions and verdict form, and proposed voir dire questions.

The final pre-trial conference is generally held in person the Monday one week before trial and may be rescheduled only so long as it occurs during the week prior to trial.

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