AO No. 2026-4 Judicial Officers’ Remote Appearances

In accordance with this administrative order, and subject to the chief judge’s discretion under MCR 8.110, judicial officers may preside remotely. Judges appearing remotely must ensure that doing so does not interfere with the rights and interests of the parties in any given case, that the remote proceeding is beneficial to the parties, and that public perception of the court is considered. Judges must comply with in-person requests pursuant to MCR 2.407(B)(4). Attorneys and parties must not be required to attend a proceeding in person if the judicial officer will be presiding remotely. The judicial officer who presides remotely must

(1) preside from a location that is free of personal distractions;

(2) preside from a location that the judicial officer reasonably believes to have a reliable internet connection that will support remote proceedings;

(3) have their videoconferencing camera on at all times during the proceeding;

(4) display the flags of the United States and Michigan as provided in MCR 8.115(A); and

(5) wear a black robe if they are a judge or if required by court rules, statute, or their chief judge. For purposes of this administrative order, the judge may display digital representations of the United States and Michigan flags adjacent to the judge. A judicial officer’s remote participation is subject to the court’s ability to produce a suitable recording of the proceeding for purposes of preparing a verbatim transcript in accordance with the Michigan Court Rules. The State Court Administrative Office must report periodically to this Court regarding its assessment of judicial officers presiding remotely. Courts must cooperate with the State Court Administrative Office in monitoring the remote participation of judicial officers in court proceedings. For purposes of this order: • “Videoconferencing” means that term as defined in MCR 2.407. • A “judicial officer” includes judges, district court magistrates, and referees.