--- title: "Christopher Elton Burnett | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-elton-burnett-mi-district-judge-57th-district-court" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Christopher Elton Burnett 57th District Court · District Judge ## Profile - Court: 57th District Court - State: Michigan - Role: District Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### videoconferencing Scope: statewide Michigan courts may determine the manner and extent of videoconferencing technology, subject to participant requests and suitability factors under MCR 2.407. Evidence excerpt: courts may determine the manner and extent of the use of videoconferencing technology and may require participants to attend court proceedings by videoconferencing technology [Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote access notice Scope: statewide If a Michigan proceeding will be held by videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of how to access it. Evidence excerpt: If a proceeding will be held using videoconferencing technology, the court must provide reasonable notice of the way(s) to access that proceeding. [Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording and broadcasting Scope: statewide Michigan prohibits photography, audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming in a courtroom unless allowed by the presiding judge, subject to the separate media-coverage order. Evidence excerpt: In a courtroom, no one may use a portable electronic device to take photographs or for audio or video recording, broadcasting, or live streaming unless that use is specifically allowed by the Judge presiding over that courtroom. [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### device use Scope: statewide Michigan allows courtroom use of portable electronic devices for information retrieval, storage, internet access, and messaging, but requires silence and bars calls or other audible functions without court permission. Evidence excerpt: Attorneys, parties, and members of the public may use a portable electronic device in a courtroom to retrieve or to store information (including notetaking), to access the Internet, and to send and receive text messages or information. [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/3) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/3) - [Michigan Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/3) - [Michigan Court Rule 2.407, Videoconferencing](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-2-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2/Court_Rules_Chapter_2.htm?rhtocid=_2) - [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-elton-burnett-mi-district-judge-57th-district-court", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-elton-burnett-mi-district-judge-57th-district-court", "name": "Christopher Elton Burnett | KnowJudges", "description": "Christopher Elton Burnett, 57th District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-elton-burnett-mi-district-judge-57th-district-court#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-elton-burnett-mi-district-judge-57th-district-court#judge", "name": "Christopher Elton Burnett", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-elton-burnett-mi-district-judge-57th-district-court", "jobTitle": "District Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "57th District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/3" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Michigan", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/michigan" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christopher Elton Burnett", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-elton-burnett-mi-district-judge-57th-district-court" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Christopher E. Burnett is the 57th District Court Judge for Allegan County, Michigan, appointed in July 2025 to a partial term through January 1, 2027, and is running for a full term in the November 3, 2026 special election - Burnett has nearly 20 years of legal experience across defense, prosecution, and civil practice, and as judge leads the Veterans Treatment Court and Sobriety Treatment Court ### Education - B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University and a J.D. from MSU College of Law. ### Additional information - He has been with Burnett & Kastran, P.C. since 2005 - Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Burnett on July 21, 2025 to fill the vacancy left by Judge William Baillargeon’s resignation. - He emphasizes fairness, stability, and the rule of law - His campaign focuses on experience, impartiality, and deep community roots - As judge, Burnett is responsible for presiding over a wide range of cases in the 57th District Court, including criminal, civil, family, and specialty court matters. - He has stated that his role is to protect the integrity of the judicial system while treating all parties with dignity - He has also served on the Allegan County Bar Association board, including as president, vice president, and treasurer - handling criminal defense, family law, juvenile cases, and other litigation. - Burnett himself has called the appointment “my highest honor” and pledged to uphold dignity and justice in serving the community ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Michigan Court Rule 8.115, Courthouse Decorum and Portable Electronic Devices](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2f4be1384a246c5cc0b6bc97) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-8-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8/Court_Rules_Chapter_8.htm?rhtocid=_25). Collected 2026-07-26.