21.3Recording Proceedings in the Family Division
“A record of all hearings must be made. All proceedings on the formal calendar[1] must be recorded by stenographic recording or by mechanical or electronic recording as provided by statute or MCR 8.108. A plea of admission or no contest, including any agreement with or objection to the plea, must be recorded.” MCR 3.925(B).
If a record of a hearing is made by a recording device, transcription of the hearing is unnecessary unless there is a request by an interested party. MCL 712A.17a. Such a recording “shall be maintained as prescribed by rules of the supreme court.” Id.2
1 MCR 3.903(A)(10) defines formal calendar as “judicial proceedings other than a delinquency proceeding on the consent calendar, a preliminary inquiry, or a preliminary hearing of a delinquency or child protective proceeding.”
2 See also MCL 600.1428(1), requiring the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) to “establish and maintain records management policies and procedures for the courts, including a records retention and disposal schedule, in accordance with [S]upreme [C]ourt rules.” For more information, see SCAO’s records management policies.