Judge Richard L. Caretti
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Motion, Brief, Exhibits, Response, Reply
- 1 copy • Chambers Drop Off
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Adjournments
- An adjournment request may be made by stipulation, requires good cause, and must state the grounds and proposed new date in the proposed order.
- The first request for an extension of Discovery and Case Evaluation Order dates may receive a 90-day extension by stipulation.
- For a second extension request, the court may allow 60 days, but the order must state the reason and provide the extension dates.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
For jury trials, counsel should provide completed, typed instructions and a proposed verdict form, with all blanks completed, one alternative selected, unused alternatives deleted, and each instruction on a separate sheet.
For jury trials, to the extent possible, have completed, typed jury instructions, including a proposed jury verdict form for the Court and all counsel (not just by jury instruction number). All blank spaces must be completed and if there are any alternatives in the instructions, one must be selected and the unused option(s) deleted. Each instruction must be on a separate sheet.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
The joint statement describing what the case is about must not exceed one paragraph.
a joint succinct statement as to what the case is about, not to exceed one paragraph
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
In a criminal jury trial, counsel must prepare 15 copies of the Chapter 2 M Crim JI containing all elements of the crime under M Crim JI 2.3(3).
In a criminal trial, counsel must prepare 15 copies of the Chapter 2 M Crim JI, including all the elements of the crime as required by M Crim JI 2.3(3).
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must prepare a joint list of the witnesses to be called at trial.
a joint list of witnesses to be called at trial.
Document Type
Witness List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
In a civil jury trial, counsel must prepare 9 copies of the Chapter 2 M Civ JI stating the nature of the plaintiff's claim and the elements, legal-term definitions, presumptions, and burdens of proof for all civil claims under M Civ JI 2.02.
In a civil case, counsel must prepare 9 copies of the Chapter 2 M Civ JI, including the nature of plaintiff’s claim and the elements of all civil claims (including definitions of legal terms), legal presumptions, and burdens of proof as required by M Civ JI 2.02.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must prepare a joint statement succinctly explaining the case and may not exceed one paragraph.
Counsel must prepare a joint succinct statement as to what the case is about, not to exceed one paragraph
Document Type
Joint Succinct Statement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
An alternate-service request must include a verified motion, proposed order, process-server affidavit, and postal verification.
Requests for alternate service must be accompanied by a verified motion, proposed order, an affidavit of the process server showing reasonable efforts to make service of process and a postal verification.
Document Type
Alternate Service Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
A summons-extension request must include a motion and proposed order, be submitted before the original summons expires, and show the plaintiff’s due diligence.
Requests to extend the summons must be accompanied by a motion and proposed order and must be submitted prior to 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.
Document Type
Summons Extension Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory
After a motion ruling, the parties must submit an order through MI File by 4:30 p.m. the same day, through a stipulated order, or through a seven-day order.
Following the Court's ruling on a motion the parties, will need to submit an order via MI File no later than 4:30 p.m. the same day or via stipulated order or via 7 day order.
Document Type
Order After Motion Ruling
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important
Any stipulations counsel intends to place on the record must be prepared in writing.
Prepare stipulations in writing, if any, to be placed on the record.
Document Type
Stipulation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Note
Counsel may submit a trial brief containing a brief statement of the facts, the issues, and counsel's theory of the case.
Counsel may submit a Trial Brief containing a brief statement of facts, issues and their theory of the case.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Stipulated order must contain reason for adjournment, number of adjournment, amount of days being adjourned and a list of the new dates.
Summary: A stipulated order must state the reason for adjournment, the number of prior adjournments, the number of days extended, and the new dates.
Document Type
Stipulated Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
After a motion ruling, an order may be submitted through MI File by 4:30 p.m. the same day, through a stipulated order, or through a seven-day order.
Following the Court's ruling on a motion the parties, will need to submit an order via MI File no later than 4:30 p.m. the same day or via stipulated order or via 7 day order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Motions
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Seven days before trial, counsel must provide sufficient copies of witness lists identifying all actual or probable witnesses and whether their testimony will be live or by deposition.
Seven days before the trial date, counsel must supply witness lists in sufficient number for the Court and all counsel, listing all actual and/or probable witnesses, and indicating if testimony will be in person or by deposition.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Motions filed on the trial date will not be entertained unless good cause is shown.
Motions filed on the day of trial will not be entertained except for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
All motions in limine and trial motions must be filed at least 14 days before trial, with responses due 7 days after the filing date.
File all motions in limine and/or trial motions with the Judge and counsel at least 14 days before the trial date with responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days after the filing date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
The order submitted after a motion ruling is due no later than 4:30 p.m. the same day when submitted through MI File.
Following the Court's ruling on a motion the parties, will need to submit an order via MI File no later than 4:30 p.m. the same day or via stipulated order or via 7 day order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Motions
A response to a motion in limine or trial motion must be filed with the judge and opposing counsel 7 days after the motion's filing date.
Responses filed with the Judge and opposing counsel 7 days after the filing date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | BEFORE THE DAY OF TRIAL
Filing Fees and Waivers
If a Case Evaluation Hearing is already scheduled, a $150 adjournment fee must be paid before submitting the order for entry.
If a Case Evaluation Hearing has already been scheduled, the parties must pay the $150 adjournment fee prior to submitting the order for entry.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Scheduling orders
Courtesy Copy Requirements
One paper courtesy copy of any motion, brief, accompanying exhibits, response, or reply must be submitted directly to the judge’s chamber, with exhibits appropriately tabbed.
Judge Caretti requires one courtesy copy of any motion and brief and all accompanying exhibits, as well as responses and replies, be submitted directly to the judge's chamber in paper format. Any exhibits must be appropriately tabbed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
For a second extension request, the court may allow 60 days, but the order must state the reason and provide the extension dates.
For the second request, Judge Caretti may allow 60 days and the Order must state the reason and give dates of the extensions.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Scheduling orders
The first request for an extension of Discovery and Case Evaluation Order dates may receive a 90-day extension by stipulation.
For the first request, Judge Caretti will permit a 90-day extension of the dates set forth in the Discovery and Case Evaluation Order by stipulation of the parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Scheduling orders
An adjournment request may be made by stipulation, requires good cause, and must state the grounds and proposed new date in the proposed order.
Requests for adjournments may be made by stipulation and will only be granted upon a showing of good cause. The grounds for the request and a proposed new date must be stated in the proposed order.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Adjournments
Chambers Communication Rules
All motions must be adjourned or dismissed by telephone call to the clerk no later than Friday at 4:00 p.m. before the hearing date.
ALL MOTIONS ARE TO BE ADJOURNED AND/OR DISMISSED VIA PHONE CALL TO CLERK NO LATER THAN THE FRIDAY 4 p.m. PRIOR TO THE MOTION HEARING DATE.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026
Page 1 | Policies and procedures — Motions