Judge Cheryl A. Matthews
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Brief
Reconsideration Motions
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
A party seeking to exceed the page limit must file a separate motion.
A separate motion must be filed to exceed page limit (see MCR 2.119(A)(2)).
Brief
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted on plain paper without case-law citations at least one week before trial.
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted to the Court on plain paper, without citation to case law, no later than one week prior to the scheduled date of trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted on plain paper, without case-law citations, at least one week before trial.
Preliminary jury instructions must be submitted to the Court on plain paper, without citation to case law, no later than one week prior to the scheduled date of trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Plaintiff exhibits must be labeled with numbers and defense exhibits with letters.
Exhibits shall be labeled as follows: Plaintiff – numbers; Defense – letters.
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Proposed findings are required in bench trials.
The Court requires proposed findings in bench trials.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties before trial begins.
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties prior to the start of trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
A separate motion must be filed for each defendant.
A separate motion for each defendant must be filed.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
A bench book of exhibits is required for all trials.
The Court requires a bench book of exhibits for all trials.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week before trial.
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week prior to trial.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Proposed findings are required in bench trials.
The Court requires proposed findings in bench trials.
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
A bench book of exhibits is required for every trial.
The Court requires a bench book of exhibits for all trials.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Parties must file responses to all contested motions.
The Court requires parties to file responses to all contested motions.
Document Type
Response
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Before trial, parties must mark all exhibits and agree to them.
All exhibits must be marked and agreed to by the parties prior to the start of trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
A final Pretrial Order is filed shortly after the scheduling order and includes pretrial deadlines.
The Court utilizes a final Pretrial Order, filed shortly after issuance of a scheduling order, which includes various pretrial deadlines.
Document Type
Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
*NOTE: If a civil case is settled prior to trial, an order disposing of the case must be filed prior to the trial date.
Summary: If a civil case settles before trial, an order disposing of the case must be filed before the trial date.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If no order is filed, the parties must appear on the trial date to place the settlement on the record or the court will issue a dismissal order.
Summary: Without a filed disposition order, the parties must appear on the trial date to put the settlement on the record, or the court will issue a dismissal order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A process server Affidavit indicating the specific attempts at personal service (minimum of three attempts, varied in time and day of week) is required.
Summary: A motion for alternate service must include a process-server affidavit detailing at least three personal-service attempts at varied times and on different days of the week.
Document Type
Motion For Alternate Service
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Must show at least one attempt of personal service or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Summary: A motion for a second summons must show at least one personal-service attempt or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Document Type
Motion For Second Summons
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A separate motion for each defendant must be filed.
Summary: A separate second-summons motion must be filed for each defendant.
Document Type
Motion For Second Summons
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
Parties are encouraged to arrive with proposed orders granting/denying the requested relief.
Summary: Parties are encouraged, but not required, to arrive with proposed orders granting or denying the requested relief.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Arraignment by mail may be considered upon a showing of good cause.
Arraignment by mail (ABM) submission will be considered with good cause showing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Parties must appear for trial unless a final order has been entered by 4:30 p.m. on the prior business day; otherwise, the action will be dismissed.
Parties are expected to appear on the date and time set for trial if no final order has been entered by 4:30pm on the prior business day or their action will be dismissed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Civil
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week before trial.
Jury instructions and the Verdict Form are due one week prior to trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
If no settlement-disposing order is filed before trial, parties must appear on the trial date to put the settlement on the record or the court will issue a dismissal order.
If no order is filed, the parties must appear on the trial date to place the settlement on the record or the court will issue a dismissal order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Motions in limine must be filed at least two weeks before trial and heard no later than one week before trial, subject to compliance with other scheduling-order provisions.
Must be filed at least two weeks prior to the date of trial and heard no later than one week prior to the date of trial (dependent on compliance with all other scheduling order provisions).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions in Limine
Motions in limine must be heard no later than one week before trial, unless an issued scheduling or pretrial order provides otherwise.
Motions in limine must be heard no later than one week before trial or pursuant to an issued scheduling or pretrial order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Service and Proof of Service Rules
An extension request requires showing at least one personal-service attempt or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Must show at least one attempt of personal service or sufficient other attempts to accomplish service.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A judge’s copy is required for all summary disposition briefs.
A judge’s copy is required of all summary disposition briefs.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE — Dispositive Motions
A judge’s copy must be provided for every summary-disposition brief.
A judge's copy is required of all summary disposition briefs.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
A judge’s copy is required for a motion for reconsideration.
A judge’s copy is required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | MOTION PRACTICE — Motion for Reconsideration
A judge’s copy must be provided for a motion for reconsideration.
A judge’s copy is required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motion for Reconsideration
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions in limine must be heard by one week before trial unless an issued scheduling or pretrial order governs.
Motions in limine must be heard no later than one week before trial or pursuant to an issued scheduling or pretrial order.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | TRIAL
Exhibit objections should be resolved through motions in limine before trial begins.
Any objections to exhibits should be resolved via motions in limine prior to the start of trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | TRIAL
Telephone conferences are seldom allowed and require advance court approval.
Telephone conferences are seldom allowed and must be approved in advance by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Civil
The Court may dispense with oral argument if a party fails to file a response.
Failure to file a response may result in the Court dispensing with oral argument.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal
Summary-disposition hearings are scheduled under a separate briefing scheduling order issued by the Court.
Hearings on motions for summary disposition are scheduled pursuant to a separate, independent briefing scheduling order issued by the Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
Exhibit objections should be resolved through motions in limine before trial.
Any objections to exhibits should be resolved via motions in limine prior to the start of trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Add-on motions are permitted depending on the docket and the motion’s length.
Add-ons are allowed dependent on docket and length of the motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal
Motions are heard weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.
Motions are heard weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30am.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Criminal
Unless the Court directs otherwise, reconsideration motions have no scheduled hearing and require 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 for Reconsideration
The Court schedules a hearing date after the summary-disposition motion is filed.
A hearing date will be scheduled after the motion is filed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Adjournments are allowed by motion.
Adjournments allowed by motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | CASE EVALUATION
A 45- or 60-day extension may be considered when appropriate.
A 45-day (or 60-DAY) extension will be considered when appropriate.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3
Discovery time is set by the Scheduling Order and may be extended by stipulation.
The Scheduling Order dictates the time for discovery. It can be extended by stipulation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Trial adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 3 | TRIAL
Discovery deadlines are set by the Scheduling Order and may be extended by stipulation.
The Scheduling Order dictates the time for discovery. It can be extended by stipulation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Adjournments are allowed by motion upon a showing of good cause.
Adjournments are allowed by motion for good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Adjournments are allowed by motion.
Adjournments allowed by motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
The Court may consider a 45- or 60-day extension when appropriate.
A 45-day (or 60-day) extension will be considered when appropriate.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions for Second Summons
Chambers Communication Rules
Call chambers for information about criminal bench warrants.
Call chambers for more information on criminal bench warrants.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | SCHEDULING CONFERENCE — Criminal
For civil matters, Judge Matthews' clerks may be contacted by email or phone.
Please email Judge Matthews' clerks at floodr@oakgov.com and wortmank@oakgov.com or call 248-858-0332 for civil matters.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Honorable Cheryl A. Matthews' Contact and Zoom Information
For criminal matters, Ashley Williams may be contacted by email or phone.
For criminal matters, please contact Ashley Williams at williamsam@oakgov.com or 248-858-5840.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Honorable Cheryl A. Matthews' Contact and Zoom Information
Call chambers for information about criminal bench warrants.
Call chambers for more information on criminal bench warrants.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal
Motion cases are called first-come, first-served, and parties should check in with the clerk.
Cases are called on a first-come, first-serve basis; check in with the clerk.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Criminal