--- title: "Jeffrey J. O'Hara | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-j-o-hara-mi-chief-judge-63rd-district-court" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Jeffrey J. O'Hara 63rd District Court · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: 63rd District Court - State: Michigan - Role: Chief 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/41) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/41) - [Michigan Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/41) - [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/jeffrey-j-o-hara-mi-chief-judge-63rd-district-court", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-j-o-hara-mi-chief-judge-63rd-district-court", "name": "Jeffrey J. 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O'Hara", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-j-o-hara-mi-chief-judge-63rd-district-court" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge O’Hara has a family connection to the judiciary; in 2024, he swore in his son, Daniel O’Hara, as a judge in the same court, marking a unique and emotional milestone in his career. - In 2019, Judge O’Hara established the Recovery Court, later certified as a Sobriety Treatment Court, aimed at helping individuals struggling with addiction and alcoholism - Private trial attorney before being elected to the 63rd District Court in 2014. - Judge O’Hara completed studies at Michigan State University - Since taking the bench, Judge O’Hara has held the role of Chief Judge and has been actively involved in improving court efficiency - He has overseen initiatives to add a new judge to the 63rd District Court to reduce caseload strain, ensuring timely judicial proceedings for Kent County residents ### Education - Thomas M. Cooley Law School in — J.D. (1985) ### Additional information - Judge O’Hara has consistently received the “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale Hubbell from 2016 through 2026, reflecting the highest standards of legal ability and ethics. - Between 2016 and 2020, the court handled over 26,000 new cases, highlighting the importance of his leadership in managing high-volume dockets FOX 17 - In 2012, he was admitted as a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation for his outstanding legal ability - He also serves on the Board of Governors for the American Judges Association and represents Region 5 for the Michigan District Judges Association ## 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.