Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 2012-7
The State Court Administrative Office is authorized, until further order of this Court, to approve the use of two-way interactive video technology in the trial courts to allow judicial officers to preside remotely in any proceeding that may be conducted by two-way interactive technology or communication equipment without the consent of the parties under the Michigan Court Rules and statutes. Remote participation by judicial officers shall be limited to the following specific situations:
1) judicial assignments;
2) circuits and districts that are comprised of more than one county and would require a judicial officer to travel to a different courthouse within the circuit or district;
3) district court districts that have multiple court locations in which a judicial officer would have to travel to a different courthouse within the district;
4) a multiple district plan in which a district court magistrate would have to travel to a different district.
The judicial officer who presides remotely must be physically present in a courthouse located within his or her judicial circuit, district, or multiple district area.
For circuits or districts that are comprised of more than one county, each court that seeks permission to allow its judicial officers to preside by video communication equipment must submit a proposed local administrative order for approval by the State Court Administrator pursuant to MCR 8.112(B). The local administrative order must describe how the program will be implemented and the administrative procedures for each type of hearing for which two-way interactive video technology will be used. The State Court Administrative Office shall either approve the proposed local administrative order or return it to the chief judge for amendment in accordance with requirements and guidelines provided by the State Court Administrative Office.
For judicial assignments, the assignment order will allow remote participation by judges as long as the assigned judge is physically present in a courthouse located within the judge's judicial circuit or district. A local administrative order is not required for assignments.
For multiple district plans, the plan will allow remote participation by district court magistrates as long as the magistrate is physically present in a courthouse located within the multiple district area. No separate local administrative order is required.
The State Court Administrative Office shall assist courts in implementing the technology, and shall report periodically to this Court regarding its assessment of the program. Those courts using the technology shall provide statistics and otherwise cooperate with the State Court Administrative Office in monitoring the use of video communication equipment.
Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 2012-7