Michigan’s judiciary branch is to be commended for its exceptional efforts to maintain justice for all during these difficult times. When Michigan began to experience closures due to COVID-19, the Michigan Supreme Court quickly responded with a series of administrative orders allowing Michigan courts to use remote proceedings. Since then, Michigan’s courts have logged more than 500,000 hours of online hearings, and the ways in which our courts have used Zoom proceedings to hear cases have been used as a template for several other states as well.

Our courts have used the online proceedings to prioritize essential matters such as:

• Warrants, arraignments, and bond review
• Personal protection orders
• Juvenile delinquency matters
• Mental health commitments
• Emergency guardianship matters

Matters of Constitutional law and public safety have also been given priority.

Maintaining public access to proceedings has been achieved by livestreaming the Zoom proceedings to YouTube or posting videos of those proceedings to YouTube immediately after they conclude. Michigan’s Virtual Courtroom Directory allows the public to search and view court proceedings statewide.

More information regarding virtual proceedings can be found on the Michigan Legal Help Virtual Hearing FAQ page, which is provided by the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the Legal Services Corporation.

We at Wright Beamer are monitoring the development and use of virtual court proceedings closely and are ready to assist you with any questions you may have. Contact us at (248) 477-6300.