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Michigan Judicial Institute

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Sample Form 19

MOTION FOR SEVERANCE OF DEFENDANTS

State of Alabama

Municipality of

V.

Defendants

Case Number

STATE OF ALABAMA

In the

[The City/Town of ]

Court of

County

The defendant moves the Court for an Order serving the offenses charged against defendant in the indictment/information/complaint herein from the offenses charged against the other defendants, or for such other relief as justice may require, on the ground that the defendant is prejudiced by the joinder of defendants herein, as is more fully shown by the affidavit of

Date

District Attorney for Defendant

Rule 13.4

Enter text

What the Michigan Judicial Institute Does

The Michigan Judicial Institute provides education, training, and reference materials for judges, court staff, and legal practitioners in Michigan. It develops curriculum on substantive law, court procedures, ethics, case management, and administrative topics, and distributes written guides, benchbooks, and online resources to support consistent decision-making and efficient courtroom operations. The Institute also hosts seminars, workshops, and webinars that align with continuing judicial education requirements and state court priorities. Materials may include model forms and procedural checklists used by trial and appellate courts across the state, adapted to Michigan statutory and case law.

Why Michigan Judicial Institute Materials Matter

Michigan Judicial Institute resources help judges and court personnel maintain up-to-date knowledge of state procedure, statutory changes, and ethics standards. Their materials promote consistency in court practice, reduce procedural errors, and support continuing education obligations for the Michigan judiciary and allied legal professionals.

Why Michigan Judicial Institute Materials Matter

Primary Users and Stakeholders

The Michigan Judicial Institute serves judges, magistrates, court administrators, clerks, and trial staff with education and procedural resources tailored to Michigan courts.

  • Trial judges — receive bench guidance, procedural updates, and case-management training to support rulings.
  • Court administrators — operational guidance, policy templates, and staff development programs for efficient caseflow.
  • Attorneys and litigants — access practice guides, forms, and continuing education resources for effective advocacy.

Core Components of Professional Institute Materials

Essential Michigan Judicial Institute resources combine clear bench manuals, model orders, training curricula, online modules, and reference publications to support court operations statewide.

Bench Manuals

Comprehensive bench manuals summarize procedural rules, evidentiary standards, sentencing practices, and model language for rulings; designed for use during hearings and as quick-reference aids for bench decisions.

Model Orders

Standardized order templates streamline entry of judgments, findings, and scheduling orders, reducing clerical errors and ensuring consistent formatting across Michigan trial and appellate courts.

Continuing Education

Seminars and online courses provide CLE/CMEs where appropriate for judges and staff, covering statutory updates, ethics, and new procedural developments affecting state caseloads.

Practice Guides

Written guides explain statutory interpretation, local rules, and best practices for common case types, with citations to Michigan statutes and leading appellate decisions.

Forms Library

Editable forms and checklists include filings, orders, waivers, and administrative paperwork formatted for Michigan practice and adaptable to common local rule variations across counties.

Online Portal

A searchable online repository lets users access materials, download documents, register for events, and track completed training modules for administrative records.

How to Use MJI Materials Step by Step

Follow these steps to access Institute materials, complete training, and use model forms for court proceedings.

  • 01
    Find Resource: Search the online catalog by topic or keyword to locate relevant manuals and templates.
  • 02
    Review Materials: Read bench manual sections and model orders relevant to the legal issue before drafting.
  • 03
    Customize Form: Adapt model orders to local rules and case facts, preserving required language and citations.
  • 04
    Record Training: Log completed courses and maintain records to satisfy continuing education requirements.

Recommended Workflow Settings for Online Use

Suggested settings to configure online training and document distribution workflows used by Michigan courts and staff.

Workflow Field or Setting Name Configuration
User Access and Permissions Roles Assign judge, clerk, and staff roles with view and edit permissions as needed.
Document Retention and Archive Policy Set retention periods, archival rules, and access controls aligned to court policy.
Authentication Method and Strength Settings Choose email, SMS code, or stronger multi-factor authentication depending on filing sensitivity.
Notifications, Audit Trail, and Logs Enable timestamps, IP logging, and notification emails for all submissions and approvals.

How Institute Content Is Developed and Distributed

This outlines how the Michigan Judicial Institute develops, reviews, publishes, and distributes educational materials to courts and staff statewide.

  • Curriculum Design: Subject-matter experts draft curricular content and model documents.
  • Peer Review: Practicing judges, clerks, and subject experts review materials for accuracy.
  • Publication: Materials are published online and distributed in print or PDF as necessary.
  • Distribution: Portal alerts, email notices, and archived downloads notify users of updates.

Technical and Submission Considerations

Institute materials are delivered in PDF, DOCX, and online module formats compatible with court IT systems and common workflow tools.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported
  • Integrations: Works with case management and cloud storage
  • Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA recommended

How Electronic Signatures Apply by Document Type

E-sign and notarization rules differ by document type; the table below summarizes typical acceptance and authentication needs.

Requirement and Document Type Comparison Wills Court Filings Deeds
E-sign permitted
Notarization required not typically sometimes
Witness requirement 2 witnesses varies varies
Governing law note state-specific court rules apply county recording rules

Comparing eSignature Vendors for Court and Administrative Use

Common eSignature plan features and starting prices for organizations considering electronic signing for court forms and administrative workflows.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Key Data Elements for Forms and Filings

Full legal name: Use exact name on record
Judicial title: Judge, magistrate, or pro tem
Case number: Enter official docket number
Filing date: Use MM/DD/YYYY format
Document type: Specify order, opinion, or motion
Contact information: Include address, phone, and email

Practical Tips for Accurate, Efficient Use

Recommended practices to ensure Michigan Judicial Institute materials are used accurately and efficiently in court workflows.

Use official case numbers and captions
Always copy the exact case caption, party names, and docket number from the court's filed complaint or order. Minor variations can misroute filings, delay processing, and complicate appellate review, especially in multi-defendant matters.
Follow local court rules and templates
Before submitting, compare the Institute's model forms with local court rule requirements. Modify headings, signatures, and required notices to match county-specific templates; courts may reject or delay nonconforming documents.
Confirm authentication and eSignature standards
Ensure electronic signatures and filings meet ESIGN and applicable state UETA policies, including authentication strength, consent records, and retention requirements. For health-related files, ensure a BAA is in place when using third-party eSignature providers.
Keep training records and version control
Document completed trainings, record the material version used for filings, and archive prior drafts. Version control helps demonstrate reliance on an Institute edition during appeals or audits and supports retention obligations.

Common Risks and Consequences of Errors

Missed Deadlines: Waiver of claims or sanctions
Procedural Dismissal: Case dismissed or filing denied
Appeal Reversal: Erroneous orders subject to reversal
Confidentiality Breach: Unauthorized disclosure penalties
HIPAA Violation: Civil and criminal penalties possible
Clerk Rejection: Noncompliant filings returned or delayed

Timelines, Deadlines, and Processing Expectations

Typical timelines and processing expectations for Institute resources, training registration, and document submissions to courts.

Training registration deadline:

Usually two weeks before event; late registration may be restricted

Materials update schedule:

Subject to annual review and when statutes or case law change

CLE reporting period:

Report continuing education per Michigan Bar rules within the required cycle

Document processing time:

Clerks typically process filings during business days; exact timelines vary by county

Appeal filing deadline:

Follow statutory appeal windows and court rules; confirm immediately after judgment

Frequently Asked Questions About Using MJI Resources

Answers to frequent questions about using Michigan Judicial Institute resources, permissible electronic workflows, and practical concerns in court filings.


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