Michigan Judicial Institute Staff

•John R. Nizol, Director

•Amanda Clark, Judicial Education Analyst

•Anne M. DeMarco, Program Assistant

•Rachael Drenovsky, Learning Center Coordinator

•Amy Feinauer, Program Assistant

•Aaron D. Hanke, Research Attorney

•Michael Hennessy, E-Learning Instructional Designer and
LMS Administrator

•Phoenix Hummel, Publications Manager

•Amanda Joseph, Administrative Assistant

•Heather Leidi, Operations Specialist

•Adam Pfau, Education Analyst

•Lindsay E. Poetz, Research Attorney Specialist

•Janaya Royal, Administrative Specialist

•Lisa Schmitz, Research Attorney

•Rebekah L.T. Sellers, Research Attorney

•Peter C. Stathakis, Program Manager

•Chelsea Thomason, MCJE Analyst

•Prestina Whitlow, Administrative Assistant

This revised edition was initially published in 2016, and the text has been revised, reordered, and updated through June 18, 2025. This benchbook is not intended to be an authoritative statement by the justices of the Michigan Supreme Court regarding any of the substantive issues discussed.