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Honorable Denise Langford Morris
In order to serve the attorneys and litigants appearing in Judge Langford Morris' 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
Pretrials
Trials
General
Location
Third Floor - Oakland County Courthouse
Telephone: 248-858-0363
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Background
Judge Langford Morris is a graduate of Wayne State University, undergraduate and graduate school, and the University of Detroit Law School. She has served on the Circuit Court since 1992. Previously, Judge Langford Morris was an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Civil Division, an Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor and a trial attorney in private practice specializing in Insurance Defense and general practice in numerous areas of practice.
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Scheduling/Conference
Settlement conferences are held upon request. Scheduling orders are computer-generated by the Case Management Office. Uses telephone conference on good cause; arranged by parties. Criminal sentence and arraignments held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Cobbs pleas must be made on record. Adjournments occasionally allowed with good cause.
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Motion Practice
Motions heard Wednesday morning. Add-ons allowed on consent of both parties. Does not allow oral argument on motions for reconsideration. Summary disposition motions heard Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Court sets hearing date based on availability after motion is filed. In limine motions, if there is a legal question, are due in advance of trial; factual questions at trial, unless stipulated facts or at time of settlement discussions. Court requires motion/order clearly stating reason for hearing and issues in evidentiary hearings including list of witnesses and exhibits. Research attorney reviews motions of appeals from state agency, district court, motion for relief from judgment and JNOV. Court permits oral bond motions on criminal cases upon request.
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TRO/Injunction
Court uses MCR 3.310; generally does not allow ex parte relief absent good cause.
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Discovery
Time allowed is computer generated for good cause only, and should be requested by motion in advance of deadline. Court will refer parties to discovery master assigned by Chief Judge.
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Pretrials
Uses telephone pretrials on occasion. Uses joint final pretrial similar to federal court. Joint pretrial order due after pretrial conference. Settlement discussions emphasized at final pretrial conference; all parties must attend and trial counsel (no substitutes).
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Trials
Docket is computer generated. Adjournments allowed if good cause. Requires copies of exhibits in advance of trial; Plaintiff - numbers; Defendant - letters. Uses benchbook of exhibits. In limine motions filed as case dictates. Court occasionally requires proposed findings. Court conducts voir dire with counsel. Specific voir dire requests due first day of trial in writing. Jury instructions on plain paper (eight copies); no authority citations allowed on jurors' copies; filed first day of trial for civil jury trial, and during trial in criminal trial. Jury charged before final argument, jury can take instructions into deliberations; can take notes if both parties agree and for good cause.
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General
Encourages all ADR techniques. Drivers license restoration, if alcoholic related, requires evidence of AA attendance and evidence that petitioner does not pose a threat to self or public. Court prefers professional alchol assessment report. Research attorney sets briefing schedule for district court appeals for Wednesday's at 10:30 a.m.
 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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