James A. Plakas at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Judge
- Court
- 35th District Court
- Jurisdiction
- Michigan · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James A. Plakas
Chief Judge · 35th District Court
Available research
Courtroom rules and guidance
Videoconferencing
Michigan courts may determine the manner and extent of videoconferencing technology, subject to participant requests and suitability factors under MCR 2.407.
courts may determine the manner and extent of the use of videoconferencing technology and may require participants to attend court proceedings by videoconferencing technologyMichigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing ↗
Remote Access Notice
If a Michigan proceeding will be held by videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of how to access it.
If a proceeding will be held using videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of the way(s) to access that proceeding.Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing ↗
Recording And Broadcasting
Michigan prohibits photography, audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming in a courtroom unless allowed by the presiding judge, subject to the separate media-coverage order.
In a courtroom, no one may use a portable electronic device to take photographs or for audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming unless that use is specifically allowed by the Judge presiding over that courtroom.Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices ↗
Device Use
Michigan allows courtroom use of portable electronic devices for information retrieval, storage, internet access, and messaging, but requires silence and bars calls or other audible functions without court permission.
Attorneys, parties, and members of the public may use a portable electronic device in a courtroom to retrieve or to store information (including notetaking), to access the Internet, and to send and receive text messages or information.Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices ↗
Sources
Michigan Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/82Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25