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Honorable Rae Lee Chabot
In order to better serve the attorneys and litigants appearing in Judge Chabot's courtroom, we have adopted the following guidelines. Please advise your clients and staff so that there are no misunderstandings.
Location
Background
Scheduling / Conference
Motion Practice
TRO / Injunction
Discovery
Pretrial
Trials
General
Location
Courtroom 1A - First Floor - Oakland County Courthouse
Telephone: 248-858-0335
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Background
Judge Chabot is a 1971 graduate of University of Michigan. She received her J.D. in 1977 from Detroit College of Law. She has served on the bench since 2001, with her current term expiring at the end of 2010. Previously, she was in private trial practice for 25 years, specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice and sexual harassment defense.
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Scheduling / Conference
Scheduling conference held at first pretrial. Status conferences held only upon request. Adjournments can be by stipulation of the parties. Settlement conferences are held after discovery, before trial. Adjournments are allowed. Parties may attend conferences by phone but counsel is required to attend in person; call clerk for arrangements. Criminal sentences and arraignments held on Mondays at 1:30 p.m.; arraignments by mail are permitted. Court does not use criminal predisposition investigation. Court will consider Cobbs please anytime, anywhere, within guidelines.
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Motion Practice
Motions are held Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. Check in with clerk before 8:30 a.m. Add-ons are permitted on a case-by-case basis. Oral arguments on case-by-case basis. Hearing date set by the Court and the moving party, typically held one week after motion is filed. Court schedules motions for summary disposition by order. Policies and procedures regarding dispositive motions according to court rules. Deadline for responses and responsive briefs in accordance with Michigan Court Rules for timing and length limited to 20 pages. Deadlines for motions in limine per order. The Court will, at its discretion, hear motions on days other than regular motion days. Motions for reconsideration are not given hearing dates; see court rules. Evidentiary hearings usually held in afternoon with live witnesses. All motions for summary disposition and select others are routinely referred to research attorney. Court prepares its own orders on motions, parties are encouraged to present proposed order at hearing. Court permits oral bond motions.
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TRO / Injunction
Court does grant ex parte relief under MCR 3.310 if irreparable harm can be shown. Court will accelerate its normal briefing schedule as to TRO/injunctions.
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Discovery
Ninety (90) days allowed for discovery. Discovery cutoff may be extended before or after cutoff date by either motion or by stipulation.
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Pretrial
Court does not request a joint final pretrial order. Settlement discussions are conducted at final pretrial conference. Court routinely becomes involved in settlement discussions in jury cases. Non-jury matters may be referred to another judge for settlement conference.
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Trials
Trial briefs delivered to judge 7 days prior to trial. Exhibits must be consecutively numbered; benchbook not required. Trials are held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Opening/closing arguments limited to 10-30 minutes each, longer if circumstances merit. Court requires a proposed findings after hearing in non-jury trials. Proposed jury instructions must be submitted day before trial. Voir dire by counsel (speeches not permitted) with Court participation. Jury charged after final argument. Jury may take written instructions into deliberations; usually not permitted to take notes or ask questions during trial.
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General
Court uses mediation, facilitation and arbitration. Drivers license restoration by hearing and questioning. Appeals from District Court referred to staff attorney.
 Judicial Staff Directory (file size147k) You will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader if it is not already installed on your system.
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