All judicial courtrooms and referee hearing rooms are equipped with video cameras. A videotape record of all court proceedings is produced in this manner.

WHO MAY REQUEST A COPY OF A TAPE OR TRANSCRIPT: Attorneys and parties to the case may obtain copies of videotapes or transcripts of open court proceedings by following the procedures outlined in this notice. Any other requests will be subject to the discretion of the judge presiding at the hearing. Copies of the tape MAY NOT be given to the media. Specific restrictions and a description of the project are contained in Local Administrative Order 2000-02.

Judicial Courtrooms: Attorneys and parties to the case will be allowed to obtain videotape copies either by simultaneous recording with the master copies or by duplication. Referee Hearing Rooms: Referee hearing rooms are not equipped to make simultaneous recordings. However, attorneys and parties to the case may request a copy of the videotape by following the procedures listed in this notice.

CAN I PROVIDE MY OWN TAPE? For judicial courtrooms you may provide a blank videotape when a matter is scheduled. A maximum of two duplicates can be recorded simultaneously with the court's original tapes. You must provide high grade or extra high quality tapes. When checking-in please advise the judicial aide/recorder/domestic clerk that you brought your own tape. When the matter is called, give your tape to the judicial aide/recorder/domestic clerk for insertion in the VCR. When your proceeding concludes, the judicial aide/recorder/domestic clerk will return your tape copy.

The court reserves the right to reject poor quality tapes. Additionally, we assume no responsibility for damaged tapes or poor quality reproductions when you provide the tape.

CAN I PURCHASE A BLANK TAPE? Prior to a court hearing in a judicial courtroom you may purchase a blank videotape for $7.00 from the court.

HOW CAN I REQUEST COPIES OF A TAPE? A request for a copy of a tape must be made in writing, including: name of case, case number, courtroom, date of proceeding, whether you want to pick up the tape or have the duplicate mailed, and a phone number where you can be contacted. There is a $25.00 fee for each date of a requested court event. Checks should be made payable to the "Ninth Circuit Court."

Requesting Copies from Trial Division (Courtrooms A, B, C, D):
Send your payment and written request to Lisa Owsiany, 9th Circuit Court Trial Division, 227 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. No orders will be taken without prepayment. You will be notified as soon as your copies are ready.

Requesting Copies from Family Division (Courtrooms E, F, G, P; Hearing Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5):
Send your payment and written request to Ann Filkins, 9th Circuit Court Family Division, 1400 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048. No orders will be taken without prepayment. You will be notified as soon as your copies are ready.

CAN I LOOK AT A TAPE? Open court hearings may be viewed on videotape by scheduling a date and time for replay. However, confidential and/or closed proceedings may only be viewed upon the approval of the judge presiding at the hearing.

Trial Division (Courtrooms A, B, C, D):
Contact Frank Hardester at (269) 384-8246 or Stephanie Kruse at (269) 383-8837.

Family Division (Courtrooms E, F, G, P; Hearing Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5):
Contact Ann Filkins at (269) 385-6037.

DO I STILL NEED A TRANSCRIPT TO APPEAL? Supreme Court Administrative Order 1990-7 requires production of a transcript when videotaped matters are appealed. Official transcripts of proceedings filed with the court must be ordered from the reporters/recorders authorized by the court to prepare transcripts. You must request preparation of a transcript in writing, specifying the case number, case name, date and type of hearing.

Trial Division (Courtrooms A, B, C, D):
Transcripts are ordered through Brenda Foley, 8165 Valleywood Lane, Portage, MI 49024.

Family Division (Courtrooms E, F, G, P; Hearing Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5):
Requests for judicial transcripts must be made through the judge's court recorder.
For referee transcripts, contact Nancy Mitchell, 9th Circuit Court Family Division, 1400 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048.

CAN I GET A TRANSCRIPT OF MATTERS NOT APPEALED? Transcripts of proceedings that are not being appealed or will not be filed with the court may be prepared using private resources, however they will not be considered the official transcript. If using a freelance transcription service, you must obtain copies of relevant tapes.

Questions may be directed to DeVona Jones at (269) 384-8253.