--- title: "Elian Fichtner | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elian-fichtner-mi-district-judge-70th-district-court-division-2" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Elian Fichtner 70th District Court - Division 2 · District Judge ## Profile - Court: 70th District Court - Division 2 - 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/73) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/73) - [Michigan Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/73) - [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/elian-fichtner-mi-district-judge-70th-district-court-division-2", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elian-fichtner-mi-district-judge-70th-district-court-division-2", "name": "Elian Fichtner | KnowJudges", "description": "Elian Fichtner, 70th District Court - Division 2. 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H. Fichtner is a District Judge of Michigan’s 70th District Court in Saginaw County, appointed in April 2018 by former Governor Rick Snyder, and currently serves as Presiding Judge of the court and head of the Saginaw County Mental Health Court - In 2021, she was designated Presiding Judge of the 70th District Court and leads the Saginaw County Mental Health Court, which focuses on treatment and rehabilitation for individuals with mental health issues - Began as a law clerk in 2005 and became a shareholder in 2013 ### Education - a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law (2005), was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 2006, and also to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan - She obtained a B.A. from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (2001) ### Additional information - As of May 2026, Judge Fichtner has presided over multiple active criminal cases in Saginaw County, including matters filed in April 2026 such as MCMullen v. - Manvel Trice III to the Tenth Circuit Court. - Judge Fichtner presides over criminal, civil, and traffic cases in Saginaw County. - Joined fill a vacancy created by the appointment of Hon. - Before joining the judiciary, Fichtner spent 12 years in private practice at Smith Bovill, P.C., specializing in probate, estate planning, elder law, and elder care issues. - She has served on the Saginaw County Bar Association (treasurer) and in the Probate/Estate Planning and Elder Law/Disability Rights sections of the State Bar of Michigan. - Fichtner has also been active in community service, including roles with the Saginaw Community Foundation, Junior Achievement of Northeast Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, and the Northeastern Michigan Estate Planning Council ## 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.