Honorable Matthew P. Sabaugh

Judge Matthew P. Sabaugh was appointed to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court Bench for a partial term effective on April 13, 2022.  Judge Sabaugh was re-elected for a full six-year term  on November 8, 2022.

Prior to serving on  the Circuit Court,  he was a Judge of the 37th Judicial District Court for the cities of Warren and Center Line for nearly 14 years.  During his time on 37th District Court, Judge Sabaugh started the Macomb County Eviction Diversion Program and presided over the Warren-Center Line Treatment Court. 

Before his appointment to the district court, Judge Sabaugh worked for eight years as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Macomb County. He prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases in Macomb County District and Circuit Courts and successfully tried numerous felony cases. Judge Sabaugh received a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in 1993. He graduated Cum Laude from Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law in 1999, where he attended night classes while working full- time as legislative assistant for the 28th Michigan House District-representing the cities of Warren and Center Line.

Contact information

Macomb County Court Building
40 N. Main St, 6TH Floor
Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
Telephone: (586) 469-7149

Staff

Scheduling days and times

Pursuant to amendments to MCR 2.407 and 6.006 please review each section below for Zoom / in person criteria.

The Zoom ID is 753 943 9202 and there is no password.

Civil cases

All civil hearings, unless otherwise noted below, will be remote by Zoom.

Procedural Motions and Oral Arguments on Appeals: Mondays at 8:30 am
Summary Disposition Motions: Mondays at 9:30 am
Creditors Exams: Offsite:  any day / time is allowable; If to be held in the Court's conference room, contact court clerk to schedule.)
**Civil Trials: Jury selection is Tuesday at 10:00 am – in person
* Motions in limine: Monday at 8:30 am - in person

**NOTE:  A JUDGE’S COPY IS REQUIRED FOR ANY PLEADINGS FILED WHILE THE TRIAL IS IN PROGRESS**

Civil/Criminal evidentiary hearings (and any other hearing that requires testimony to be taken): Friday at 8:30 am – in person

STATUS / SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES: *PRIOR TO FACILITATION / MEDIATION HAVING TAKEN PLACE*: Tuesday at 8:30 am
The attorneys attending the conference must be thoroughly familiar with the case and have the authority necessary to fully participate in the conference.

FINAL SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES: *AFTER FACILITATION / MEDIATION HAS TAKEN PLACE*: *In person only*  The parties to the action must also be present, unless their attendance is excused by the Court. A request to excuse a party's attendance must be requested 48 hours before the conference date. A party whose presence is excused must be available by telephone.

If a matter is resolved and an order of dismissal is entered before the conference date, the attorneys and parties need not appear for the conference. Attorneys must notify court of settlement prior to a scheduled settlement conference.

Criminal cases

Effective September 12, 2022, pursuant to amendments to MCR 2.407 and 6.006, all criminal matters will be held via Zoom unless otherwise noted below.

All arraignments: Mondays at 1:30 pm
**Criminal Trials: Jury selection is Tuesday at 10:00 am –in person
* Motions in limine: Wednesday/Thursday at 9:00 am - in person

**NOTE:  A JUDGE’S COPY IS REQUIRED FOR ANY PLEADINGS FILED WHILE THE TRIAL IS IN PROGRESS**

Pre-Trials / Review Hearings / Criminal Motions (that do not require testimony):  Wednesday and Thursday at 9am.
Sentences and Probation Violation Hearings:  Wednesday and Thursday at 9am – in person

Criminal Motions that require testimony to be taken:  Friday at 9am – in person
**Note:  Any criminal hearing that requires an interpreter must be in person.

CRIMINAL ADJOURNMENTS: Any adjournment after the second must be stipulated to between the APA and the attorney of record 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing. Please contact the clerk for further questions regarding this procedure.

Facilitative mediation

Requests to submit a case to facilitative mediation under MCR 2.410 and 2.411 may be made by stipulation and order. This order must be used: Order Regarding Facilitative Mediation. If the parties are unable to agree on a mediator, the Court will select a mediator in the manner provided by MCR 2.411(B)(3). The Court will generally require that facilitation occur within 60 days, unless good cause is shown for an extension.

Motions

E-filed motions in limine must be numbered.

E-filed exhibits must be appropriately tabbed. Good practice requires that in appropriate cases, relevant portions of lengthy documents be highlighted.

Scheduling orders

For most civil cases, the Court issues a standard Discovery and Case Evaluation Order setting the schedule for discovery, witness lists, disposition motion deadlines, and case evaluation.  For the first request, Judge Sabaugh will permit up to a 60 day extension of the dates set forth in the Discovery and Case Evaluation Order by stipulation of the parties.  Counsel to prepare a stipulated order that states the number of the adjournment in the title.  Any Subsequent requests to extend the scheduling order dates must be made by motion and only will be granted upon a showing of good cause.  If a Case Evaluation Hearing has already been scheduled, the parties must pay the $150.00 adjournment fee prior to submitting the order for entry.  

Trial procedures

The Court's trial procedures are contained in its Trial Procedure Order which is issued when a case is scheduled for Trial.

See Form  - Trial Procedural Order

Orders

• Form # 1 - Order Regarding Facilitative Mediation
• Form # 2 - Trial Procedure Order