Court Rules
Judge

Judge Anthony R. Servitto

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Macomb County

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Adjournments

  • Only the moving party may adjourn a motion, must notify the clerk and other parties by 4:00 p.m. the preceding Friday, and must separately provide notice to chambers because a hearing renotice alone is insufficient.
  • A request for a second summons must be filed with a proposed order before the original summons expires, demonstrate due diligence, and use approved SCAO forms; the stated extension is 60 days from the original summons date.
  • Scheduling-order dates cannot be adjourned by stipulation; the request must be addressed at the status conference or by motion.
  • +3 more

Request must include

Reason For RequestProposed New Dates

Communication

Phone
Court-wide
586-942-0594
Emergencies
Filters:AllMandatoryProposed OrdersMemoranda

Document Filing Requirements6 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

Trial briefs must be provided to the court at the time of the pretrial.

Trial briefs are to be provided to the Court at the time of the Pretrial.

Document Type

Trial Brief

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

Each motion and praecipe must have matching titles, and each requested relief must be submitted as a separate motion and praecipe.

The motion praecipe and motion pleading must have the same motion title. The Court requires separate motions and praecipes for multiple requests.

Document Type

Motion And Praecipe

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

An alternate-service request must include a verified motion, proposed order, process-server affidavit documenting at least three attempts at varied times, postal verification, and approved SCAO forms.

Requests for alternate service must be accompanied by a verified motion, proposed order, an affidavit of the process server showing reasonable efforts (at least 3 attempts, various time of day) to make service of process and a postal verification. Please use the approved SCAO forms.

Document Type

Motion For Alternate Service

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Note

The court does not issue a separate scheduling order for a dispositive motion.

The court does not issue a separate scheduling order for dispositive motions.

Document Type

Dispositive Motion

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

A Judge’s copy is required – do not email the court staff a copy of the motion. Please have a runner drop of the motion or expedited shipping.

Summary: A reconsideration motion requires a judge's copy delivered by runner or expedited shipping, not by email.

Document Type

Reconsideration Motion

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

Requests to extend the summons must be accompanied by a motion and proposed order and must be submitted prior to the expiration of the original summons.

Summary: A request for a second summons must include a motion and proposed order and be submitted before the original summons expires.

Document Type

Motion For Second Summons

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Civil cases, appeals, and criminal pleadings must be filed electronically.

All civil cases, appeal, and criminal pleadings are to be electronically filed.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | E-FILING

Effective July 16, 2025, hard copies of motions are not required, and motions and responses are reviewed electronically.

Effective 7/16/2025 Judge no longer requires hard copies of Motions. Motions/Responses are reviewed electronically.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

A motion in limine is heard with the civil pretrial unless it concerns expert testimony, in which case it must be heard no later than two months before trial.

To be heard the same date and time as the Civil Pretrial with the exception of Motions in Limine as it relates to expert testimony which are to be heard no later than 2 months prior to the trial date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

A responsive pleading must be filed by noon on the Thursday before the motion, and late filings may be disregarded.

Any responsive pleading must be filed no later than the Thursday before the motion. The cut-off time is noon. Any late filings may not be considered.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

All other motions in limine must be e-filed two weeks before the civil pretrial.

All other MIL are to be efiled 2 weeks prior to the Civil Pretrial.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

Motions in limine are heard with the civil pretrial except motions concerning witness testimony, which must be heard no later than two months before trial.

Motion in Limine are to be heard the same date and time as the Pretrial with the exception of Motions in Limine regarding witness testimony which are to be heard no later than 2 months prior to the trial date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | CIVIL MATTERS

Every sentencing memorandum must be filed at least three days before sentencing.

All sentencing memoranda must be filed at least three days prior to the sentencing.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | CRIMINAL PRACTICE

A final order closing a fully settled civil case is typically required within 14 to 21 days, with failure resulting in a no-progress dismissal.

A final order closing the case in its entirety will be required typically within 14-21 days. Failure to do the order will result in Case Management issuing a No Progress-Dismissal.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | CIVIL MATTERS

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

For an emergency motion, the movant must e-file it with a TBD date and time, email the clerk and secretary after filing, and await the court's decision.

The moving party must: 1.) E-file the emergency motion and on the praecipe label the date and time as TBD by the court, 2.) Advise the Clerk and Secretary via email after the completion of the efiling, 3.) Wait to receive a decision from the Court as to the emergency request.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

Counsel must contact the clerk by phone or email to discuss a date before e-filing a dispositive motion and praecipe.

Please contact the Clerk by phone &/or email to discuss a date prior to e-filing the praecipe and motion.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

The court will ordinarily decline to hear motions added to the docket absent good cause.

Absent good cause, the Court declines to hear add-ons.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

Unless the court indicates otherwise, a reconsideration motion has no scheduled hearing and requires no response.

Unless the Court otherwise indicates, no hearing is scheduled, and no response is required.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Civil conference adjournment requests must be raised with the secretary and accompanied by an e-filed stipulated order stating the new date.

Any requests to adjourn are to be addressed with the Secretary, and a Stipulated Order with a new date will be required to be efiled. Any questions are to be directed to the Secretary.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | CIVIL MATTERS

Scheduling-order dates cannot be adjourned by stipulation; the request must be addressed at the status conference or by motion.

The court will not allow adjournments to the scheduling order via Stipulation. Adjournments of dates should be addressed at the Status Conference, or in the form of a motion.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

A criminal adjournment must be timely e-filed by stipulated order with a new date after discussing it with the clerk or secretary.

All adjournments must be submitted by stipulated order via e-filing. Please file these requests timely and a new date should be added to the order. Please contact the Clerk or Secretary to discuss a new date.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | CRIMINAL PRACTICE

A request for a second summons must be filed with a proposed order before the original summons expires, demonstrate due diligence, and use approved SCAO forms; the stated extension is 60 days from the original summons date.

Requests to extend the summons must be accompanied by a motion and proposed order and must be submitted prior to the expiration of the original summons. Such requests will only be granted upon a showing of due diligence by plaintiff in attempting to serve the original summons. The court will allow a 60-day extension from the original summons date. Please use the approved SCAO forms.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

A civil trial adjournment must be requested by motion; the court will not consider a stipulated order.

The Court will not consider Stipulated Orders and a motion must be filed for this request.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | TRIALS

Only the moving party may adjourn a motion, must notify the clerk and other parties by 4:00 p.m. the preceding Friday, and must separately provide notice to chambers because a hearing renotice alone is insufficient.

Only the moving party may adjourn their motion. The moving party must contact the Clerk by phone &/or email by 4:00pm the Friday before the Motion. The moving party shall notify other parties that the motion has been adjourned. Filing re-notice of hearing alone does not give notice to the Judge’s Chambers.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

Chambers Communication Rules

A sentencing memorandum must be emailed to both court staff or delivered as a judge's copy because filing it with the clerk's office does not notify chambers.

Please email the clerk and secretary the sentencing memoranda or drop off a Judge’s copy. Efiling the sentencing memoranda with the Clerk’s Office does not give notice to the Judge’s chambers.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | CRIMINAL PRACTICE

When a civil case has settled in full, the parties must notify the secretary or clerk.

If the Parties have settled the case in full, they are to contact the Secretary or Clerk.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | CIVIL MATTERS

Counsel must check the judge's availability or contact the clerk to select a motion date before electronic filing.

Before efiling a motion, please check the Judge's availability or contact the Clerk to discuss a good date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

A party expecting to be more than 15 minutes late must immediately notify chambers and opposing counsel.

If a party is expected to be more than 15 minutes late, they must call or email chambers immediately to inform the staff and inform opposing counsels of same.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

In a criminal matter, an attorney seeking permission to appear by Zoom for good cause must contact the clerk or secretary.

Under good cause, if a party needs to appear via ZOOM the attorney must contact the Clerk &/or Secretary for permission.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | CRIMINAL PRACTICE

The secretary or clerk must be contacted with the case number before submitting an order facilitating in lieu of case evaluation.

Please contact the Secretary or Clerk before submitting this order. The Secretary or Clerk will want the case number to review the status of the case and go over the necessary requirements.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION PRACTICE

Questions concerning early disposition, status, and settlement conferences must be directed to the secretary.

Any questions are to be directed to the Secretary.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | CIVIL MATTERS

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 125 rules apply across Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Macomb County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 35
  • Applies to
    Motion to show cause
    Must include
    proposed order

    The motion and order to show cause submitted for a party more than ten days past due must require that party to appear before the court.

  • Applies to
    Referee recommended order

    An administrative order giving interim effect to a referee’s recommendation must include a notice to the parties under a separate heading in the recommended order.

  • Applies to
    Referee recommended order

    An administrative order giving interim effect to a referee’s recommendation must include a notice to the parties under a separate heading in the recommended order.

Fees

All 24
  • Fee
    $500
    Applies to
    Custody investigation

    The Friend of the Court investigation fee is $500 for custody matters.

  • Applies to
    Combined friend of court investigation

    A combined Friend of the Court investigation involving two or more issues is assessed at $500.

  • Applies to
    Friend of court investigation

    The order permits the Friend of the Court investigation fee to be entered as a specified amount or marked as no fee.

E-Filing

All 15
  • All parties in Business Court cases must electronically file and serve documents through the court’s eFiling Pilot Project under Administrative Order No. 2010-6.

  • Participation in the electronic-filing pilot program is mandatory for pending C- and N-type cases assigned to participating circuit judges.

  • All documents are presumed to be filed electronically as part of the mandatory e-filing project.

Formatting

All 14
  • The notice notifying the parties of interim effect should be printed in boldface type at 12 points or larger.

  • The interim-effect notice should use boldface type sized at least 12 points.

  • The interim-effect notice must appear within the referee’s recommended order under a separate heading.

About Judge Anthony R. Servitto

Judge Anthony R. Servitto was elected to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court Bench in November 2024. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Servitto served as an Assistant Prosecutor for Macomb County with over a decade of experience in criminal, civil, and probate law. He served as the chief of Senior Crimes, protecting vulnerable seniors from abuse and exploitation, and has played a pivotal role in the Macomb County Sobriety Court, focusing on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Judge Servitto was a dedicated trial attorney in his time at the Macomb County Prosecutor's office trying numerous high-profile cases throughout his career. Judge Servitto is a lifelong resident of Macomb County and holds a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a B.A. in Political Science/Pre-Law from Michigan State University.

Macomb County Court Building, 40 N. Main St, 3rd Floor South East, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 ZOOM ID: 635-446-1980 Position: Name: Number Secretary: Michelle Zafferani: michelle.zafferani@macombgov.org: (586) 469-5145 Clerk: Kelly C. Marley: kelly.marley@macombgov.org: (586) 469-5048 Court Officer: Michael Wouters: (586) 469-5049 Prosecutor: Cory Newman , Raven Manzella Probation Liaison: Mallory Webster

Common questions about Judge Anthony R. Servitto's rules

Does Judge Anthony R. Servitto require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Anthony R. Servitto's rules set a pre-motion procedure for emergency. For an emergency motion, the movant must e-file it with a TBD date and time, email the clerk and secretary after filing, and await the court's decision.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTION PRACTICE

What must be included with reconsideration motion filings before Judge Anthony R. Servitto?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A reconsideration motion requires a judge's copy delivered by runner or expedited shipping, not by email.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTION PRACTICE

What must be included with motion and praecipe filings before Judge Anthony R. Servitto?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Each motion and praecipe must have matching titles, and each requested relief must be submitted as a separate motion and praecipe.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTION PRACTICE

How may parties contact Judge Anthony R. Servitto's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Anthony R. Servitto's clerk. A sentencing memorandum must be emailed to both court staff or delivered as a judge's copy because filing it with the clerk's office does not notify chambers.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CRIMINAL PRACTICE

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Anthony R. Servitto?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include reason for request. Only the moving party may adjourn a motion, must notify the clerk and other parties by 4:00 p.m. the preceding Friday, and must separately provide notice to chambers because a hearing renotice alone is insufficient.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTION PRACTICE

Is electronic filing required before Judge Anthony R. Servitto?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Civil cases, appeals, and criminal pleadings must be filed electronically.

View ruleSource: page 1, section E-FILING

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Anthony R. Servitto?

The rule states a noon filing cutoff. A responsive pleading must be filed by noon on the Thursday before the motion, and late filings may be disregarded.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTION PRACTICE
Complete rules summary for Judge Anthony R. Servitto

Civil cases, appeals, and criminal pleadings must be filed electronically.

Counsel must check the judge's availability or contact the clerk to select a motion date before electronic filing.

The court will ordinarily decline to hear motions added to the docket absent good cause.

A party expecting to be more than 15 minutes late must immediately notify chambers and opposing counsel.

Effective July 16, 2025, hard copies of motions are not required, and motions and responses are reviewed electronically.

Unless the court indicates otherwise, a reconsideration motion has no scheduled hearing and requires no response.

A responsive pleading must be filed by noon on the Thursday before the motion, and late filings may be disregarded.

Only the moving party may adjourn a motion, must notify the clerk and other parties by 4:00 p.m. the preceding Friday, and must separately provide notice to chambers because a hearing renotice alone is insufficient.

Counsel must contact the clerk by phone or email to discuss a date before e-filing a dispositive motion and praecipe.

The court does not issue a separate scheduling order for a dispositive motion.

A reconsideration motion requires a judge's copy delivered by runner or expedited shipping, not by email.

For an emergency motion, the movant must e-file it with a TBD date and time, email the clerk and secretary after filing, and await the court's decision.

Each motion and praecipe must have matching titles, and each requested relief must be submitted as a separate motion and praecipe.

A motion in limine is heard with the civil pretrial unless it concerns expert testimony, in which case it must be heard no later than two months before trial.

All other motions in limine must be e-filed two weeks before the civil pretrial.

An alternate-service request must include a verified motion, proposed order, process-server affidavit documenting at least three attempts at varied times, postal verification, and approved SCAO forms.

A request for a second summons must be filed with a proposed order before the original summons expires, demonstrate due diligence, and use approved SCAO forms; the stated extension is 60 days from the original summons date.

A request for a second summons must include a motion and proposed order and be submitted before the original summons expires.

Scheduling-order dates cannot be adjourned by stipulation; the request must be addressed at the status conference or by motion.

The secretary or clerk must be contacted with the case number before submitting an order facilitating in lieu of case evaluation.

In a criminal matter, an attorney seeking permission to appear by Zoom for good cause must contact the clerk or secretary.

A criminal adjournment must be timely e-filed by stipulated order with a new date after discussing it with the clerk or secretary.

Every sentencing memorandum must be filed at least three days before sentencing.

A sentencing memorandum must be emailed to both court staff or delivered as a judge's copy because filing it with the clerk's office does not notify chambers.

Civil conference adjournment requests must be raised with the secretary and accompanied by an e-filed stipulated order stating the new date.

Questions concerning early disposition, status, and settlement conferences must be directed to the secretary.

Motions in limine are heard with the civil pretrial except motions concerning witness testimony, which must be heard no later than two months before trial.

When a civil case has settled in full, the parties must notify the secretary or clerk.

A final order closing a fully settled civil case is typically required within 14 to 21 days, with failure resulting in a no-progress dismissal.

A civil trial adjournment must be requested by motion; the court will not consider a stipulated order.

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