Judge Kwamé L. Rowe
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Upon Filing
Reconsideration Motions
- Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Only the moving party may adjourn a motion.
- The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the scheduled motion hearing to adjourn.
- Only the moving party may adjourn its motion.
- +4 more
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Motions that exceed the applicable page limit will be rejected.
Motions which exceed the page limit will be rejected.
Motion
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The Court will not consider oral requests for emergency motions.
Oral requests for an emergency motion will not be considered.
Document Filing Requirements25 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The Prosecutor must provide the Judicial Staff Attorney electronic final jury instructions and verdict form by the trial date.
The Prosecutor provides a set of final jury instructions and verdict form in electronic form to the Judicial Staff Attorney on or before the day of trial.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Parties must appear for arraignment if the arraignment-by-mail submission is not timely.
Parties must appear for arraignment if the ABM is not timely submitted.
Document Type
Arraignment Waiver
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
If all signatures cannot be obtained, parties must file the order under the 7-Day Rule.
Parties are required to file the order under the 7-Day Rule if unable to obtain all signatures.
Document Type
Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Attorneys must provide the Judicial Staff Attorney an electronic copy of the jury instructions and verdict form on the trial date.
The attorneys shall provide an electronic copy of the jury instructions including the verdict form to the Judicial Staff Attorney on the date of trial.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Disputed jury instructions or verdict-form provisions must be clearly marked and included in the stipulated jury-instruction packet.
Any disputed jury instructions or verdict form must be clearly marked and included with the stipulated jury instruction packet.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
If the Discovery Master meeting does not resolve the dispute and the parties want a Court decision, the moving party must re-praecipe the motion for the next available date and title it “unresolved.”
If the parties are not able to resolve after meeting with the Discovery Master, and wish the Court to decide on the motion, the moving party must re-praecipe the motion, and include the word “unresolved” in the motion title for the next available motion date.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
If all signatures cannot be obtained, parties must file the order under the 7-Day Rule.
Parties are required to file the order under the 7-Day Rule if unable to obtain all signatures.
Document Type
Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Parties must praecipe motions other than motions for summary disposition for a Wednesday of their choice.
Parties must praecipe motions (excluding motions for summary disposition) for any Wednesday of their choice.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The motion praecipe and motion pleading must use the same motion title.
The motion praeipe and motion pleading must have the same motion title.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
If the parties do not resolve a motion to compel after meeting with the Discovery Master and seek a Court decision, the moving party must re-praecipe it for the next available motion date and include “unresolved” in the title.
If the parties are not able to resolve after meeting with the Discovery Master, and wish the Court to decide on the motion, the moving party must re-praecipe the motion, and include the word “unresolved” in the motion title for the next available motion date.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Multiple requests require separate motions and praecipes.
The Court requires separate motions and praecipes for multiple requests.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The defense must review the jury instructions and notify the Judicial Staff Attorney of objections or requests for additional instructions.
The Defense must review the jury instructions and notify the Judicial Staff Attorney regarding any objections or request for additional jury instructions.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Disputed jury instructions and verdict forms must be clearly marked and included with the stipulated jury-instruction packet.
Any disputed jury instructions or verdict form must be clearly marked and included with the stipulated jury instruction packet.
Document Type
Jury Instruction Packet
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
A final pretrial order will be issued in every civil and criminal case.
A final pretrial order will be issued in all civil and criminal cases.
Document Type
Pretrial Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Parties are expected to sign orders approved as to substance and form before e-filing them.
Parties are expected to sign each order approved as to substance/form prior to its e-filed submission.
Document Type
Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
The Defense must review the jury instructions and notify the Judicial Staff Attorney of objections or requests for additional instructions.
The Defense must review the jury instructions and notify the Judicial Staff Attorney regarding any objections or request for additional jury instructions.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Parties are expected to sign each order approved as to substance and form before submitting it electronically.
Parties are expected to sign each order approved as to substance/form prior to its e-filed submission.
Document Type
Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Parties must include an affidavit of at least 3 attempts of service on separate weeks and a postal verification for consideration.
Summary: A motion for alternate service must include an affidavit documenting at least three service attempts on separate weeks and postal verification.
Document Type
Motion For Alternate Service
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Parties must submit an attached itemized statement to the request for consideration.
Summary: A request to seize property must include an attached itemized statement.
Document Type
Request To Seize Property
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A re-praecipe and notice of hearing is required.
Summary: An adjourned motion requires a re-praecipe and notice of hearing.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
A re-praecipe and notice of hearing is required.
Summary: An adjourned motion requires a re-praecipe and notice of hearing.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Parties must include an affidavit of at least 3 attempts of service on separate weeks and a postal verification for consideration.
Summary: A motion for alternate service must include an affidavit documenting at least three service attempts on separate weeks and postal verification.
Document Type
Motion For Alternate Service
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Parties must submit an attached itemized statement to the request for consideration.
Summary: A request to seize property must include an attached itemized statement.
Document Type
Request To Seize Property
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Please file a praecipe and a notice of hearing when that date has been provided by the Court’s staff attorney.
Summary: Once the staff attorney provides a hearing date for a motion for summary disposition, file a praecipe and notice of hearing.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Please file a praecipe and a notice of hearing when that date has been provided by the Court’s staff attorney.
Summary: After the staff attorney provides a hearing date, parties should file a praecipe and notice of hearing.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Discovery recommendations must be e-filed immediately after the Discovery Master meeting, whether or not the parties resolved their issues.
Discovery recommendations shall be e-filed immediately following the meeting with the Discovery Master whether parties have resolved their discovery issues or not.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Discovery Master (motions to compel)
For an emergency request, the moving party must e-file the motion, email court staff, and await the Court’s decision.
The moving party must 1) e-file the emergency motion, 2) Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov ,3) wait to receive a decision from the Court as to the emergency request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
For an emergency motion, the moving party must e-file it, email Court staff, and wait for the Court’s decision on the emergency request.
The moving party must 1) e-file the emergency motion, 2) Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oakgov.com ,3) wait to receive a decision from the Court as to the emergency request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Emergency Motions
The Court accepts arraignments by mail through Mi-File.
This Court will accept arraignments by mail (waiver of arraignments) via Mi-File.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Arraignments by Mail
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Responsive pleadings are due by 11:59 p.m. on the Monday before the motion hearing, and late filings will not be considered.
Any responsive pleadings must be filed no later than the Monday before the motion hearing at 11:59 p.m. Any late filing will not be considered.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Responsive Pleadings
The stipulated jury instructions and verdict form must be filed at least seven days before trial.
A stipulated set of jury instructions and verdict form must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Jury Instructions
Sentencing memoranda and other materials for the Court must be submitted at least three days before sentencing.
All sentencing memoranda and any other documentation for the Court's consideration must be submitted at least three days prior to sentencing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Sentencing Memoranda
The bench brief must be filed at least seven days before trial.
The brief must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Bench Brief
Responsive pleadings must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on the Monday before the motion hearing.
Any responsive pleadings must be filed no later than the Monday before the motion hearing at 11:59 p.m.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Responsive Pleadings
The prosecutor must provide final jury instructions and the verdict form electronically to the Judicial Staff Attorney on or before the trial date.
The Prosecutor provides a set of final jury instructions and verdict form in electronic form to the Judicial Staff Attorney on or before the day of trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 4 | Criminal Trials
Discovery recommendations must be e-filed immediately after the Discovery Master meeting, whether or not the dispute was resolved.
Discovery recommendations shall be e-filed immediately following the meeting with the Discovery Master whether parties have resolved their discovery issues or not.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Discovery Master (Motions to Compel)
In criminal cases, motions must be filed and heard at least two weeks before trial.
All motions on criminal cases must be filed and heard at least two weeks prior to the scheduled trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motion Cut-Off
Late responsive pleadings will not be considered.
Any late filing will not be considered.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Responsive Pleadings
Late filings for motions for summary disposition will be rejected.
Late filings will be rejected.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Dispositive Motions
Discovery recommendations must be e-filed immediately after the Discovery Master meeting.
Discovery recommendations shall be e-filed immediately following the meeting with the Discovery Master whether parties have resolved their discovery issues or not.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Discovery Master (motions to compel)
Sentencing memoranda and other documents for the Court’s consideration must be submitted at least three days before sentencing.
Sentencing Memoranda: All sentencing memoranda and any other documentation for the Court’s consideration must be submitted at least three days prior to sentencing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
In criminal cases, all motions must be filed and heard at least two weeks before trial.
Motion Cut-Off: All motions on criminal cases must be filed and heard at least two weeks prior to the scheduled trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
In civil trials, attorneys must provide the Judicial Staff Attorney an electronic copy of the jury instructions and verdict form on the trial date.
The attorneys shall provide an electronic copy of the jury instructions including the verdict form to the Judicial Staff Attorney on the date of trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | Civil Trials
The civil-trial bench brief must be filed at least seven days before trial.
The bench brief must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | Civil Trials
In civil trials, the stipulated jury instructions and verdict form must be filed at least seven days before trial.
A stipulated set of jury instructions and verdict form must be filed no later than seven days prior to the trial date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | Civil Trials
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The moving party must notify the other parties when the motion is adjourned.
The moving party shall notify other parties that the motion has been adjourned.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Adjourning Motions
The moving party must notify the other parties when the motion has been adjourned.
The moving party shall notify other parties that the motion has been adjourned.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Adjourning Motions
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A Judge’s Copy is required for motions for reconsideration and motions for resentencing.
A judge’s copy is required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Motions for Reconsideration; Motion for Resentencing
A Judge’s Copy is required for motions for reconsideration and resentencing.
A judge's copy is required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions for Reconsideration; Motion for Resentencing
A Judge’s Copy must be provided for motions for summary disposition.
Please provide a Judge’s Copy.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Dispositive Motions
A Judge’s Copy should be provided for motions for summary disposition.
Please provide a Judge’s Copy.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Dispositive Motions
Filing Bundling Requirements
Multiple motions may not be heard in a single filing.
The Court will not hear multiple motions in one single filing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Multiple Motions
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
The Court will not consider oral requests for emergency motions.
Oral requests for an emergency motion will not be considered.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Emergency Motions
For good cause, the Court may accelerate briefing on a TRO or preliminary-injunction motion.
The Court may accelerate the briefing schedule for motions for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction if good cause is shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) and Preliminary Injunctions
Motions to compel are referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Motions to Compel will be referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Discovery Master (Motions to Compel)
An emergency hearing may be requested at any time by motion.
A request for an emergency hearing may be submitted anytime via motion.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
Settlement and final pretrial conferences take place after case evaluation.
The Court holds settlement and final pre-trial conferences after case evaluation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Settlement and Final Pre-Trial Conferences
If the non-moving party has not checked in by 9:30 a.m., the clerk shall call the case at the moving party’s request, and the Court may grant appropriate relief.
If the non-moving party has not checked in by 9:30a.m., the clerk shall call the case upon the request of the moving party and the Court may grant the requested relief if appropriate.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
The Court may dismiss a motion if the moving party has not checked in with the clerk by 9:30 a.m.
If the moving party has not checked in with the clerk by 9:30a.m., the Court may dismiss the motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
A timely objection to an order results in a hearing during the Court’s motion call.
If a timely objection is filed, then the Court will set a hearing to be held during the Court’s motion call.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Orders
Except by leave of court or as otherwise stated, motions follow local scheduling rules and are heard Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.
Except by leave of the Court or as otherwise described herein, motions are scheduled pursuant to the local court rules and are heard every Wednesday at 8:30a.m.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
Add-on motions are not permitted.
No add-ons are permitted.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
Motions to compel are referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Motions to Compel will be referred to the Discovery Master for resolution.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Discovery Master (motions to compel)
The Court may accelerate briefing for a TRO or preliminary injunction motion upon a showing of good cause.
The Court may accelerate the briefing schedule for motions for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction if good cause is shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) and Preliminary Injunctions
Criminal call is held weekly on Mondays at 1:00 p.m.
Criminal call will be held weekly on Mondays at 1:00p.m.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Criminal Call
A request for an emergency hearing may be submitted at any time by motion.
A request for an emergency hearing may be submitted anytime via motion.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Emergency Motions
The Court will grant ex parte relief only in accordance with the court rules governing TROs and preliminary injunctions.
The Court strictly adheres to MCR 3.310 and will only grant ex parte relief in accordance with the court rules.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) and Preliminary Injunctions
The staff attorney sets a hearing date for a motion for summary disposition upon receiving the filed motion.
The staff attorney will set a motion for summary disposition date upon receipt of the filed motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Dispositive Motions
Unless the Court directs otherwise, motions for reconsideration and resentencing 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 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Motions for Reconsideration; Motion for Resentencing
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Only the moving party may adjourn its motion.
Only the moving party may adjourn their motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Adjourning Motions
Only the moving party may adjourn a motion.
Only the moving party may adjourn their motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Adjourning Motions
The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the scheduled motion hearing to adjourn.
The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00p.m. the Tuesday before the Court is scheduled to hear the motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Adjourning Motions
The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the scheduled hearing to adjourn a motion.
The moving party must notify chambers by 4:00p.m. the Tuesday before the Court is scheduled to hear the motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Adjourning Motions
The Court will consider reasonable adjournment requests in criminal cases.
Adjournments: The Court will consider reasonable adjournment requests.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
The Court will consider reasonable requests to adjourn by stipulation in trials generally.
Adjournments: The Court will consider reasonable requests to adjourn via stipulation.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Trials (Generally)
The parties will be notified if an adjournment request requires a motion.
Parties will be notified if a motion is required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Trials (Generally)
Chambers Communication Rules
The moving party must notify court staff about an emergency motion by email at the stated address.
The moving party must 1) e-file the emergency motion, 2) Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov ,3) wait to receive a decision from the Court as to the emergency request.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Emergency Motions
Viewers may not record or otherwise copy court proceedings.
Viewers are prohibited from recording or otherwise copying court proceedings.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Public Access to Hearings
Sentencing memoranda and other sentencing materials must be emailed to the stated chambers address.
Please email this documentation to JudgeRowechambers@oaklandcountymi.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Sentencing Memoranda
The moving party must email Court staff about an emergency motion at the stated address and await the Court’s decision.
The moving party must 1) e-file the emergency motion, 2) Advise the Court’s staff of the emergency motion via email at judgerowechambers@oakgov.com ,3) wait to receive a decision from the Court as to the emergency request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Motions and Motion Day — Emergency Motions
Sentencing documentation must be emailed to the judge’s chambers at the stated address.
Please email this documentation to judgerowechambers@oakgov.com .
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Criminal Call
Anyone expecting to be more than 15 minutes late must immediately call chambers to inform staff.
If you expect to be more than 15 minutes late, you must call chambers immediately to inform the staff.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
Motion hearings are held by Zoom until further notice, using meeting ID 248 452 2005.
Motion hearings are heard via zoom until further notice of the Court. (Meeting ID 248 452 2005)
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day
Anyone who needs to leave the courtroom during criminal call must inform the clerk.
If you need to leave the courtroom for any reason, you must inform the clerk.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Criminal Call
Attorneys are expected to check in with the clerk at 12:30 p.m. for criminal call.
Attorneys are expected to check in with the clerk at 12:30p.m.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Criminal Call
Anyone expecting to be more than 15 minutes late for criminal call must call chambers and inform staff of their whereabouts.
If you expect to be more than 15 minutes late, you must call chambers to inform the staff of your whereabouts.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | Criminal Call
Parties need not contact the staff attorney to receive a hearing date for a motion for summary disposition.
It is not necessary to contact the staff attorney to receive a hearing date.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.
Page 1 | Motions and Motion Day — Dispositive Motions