--- title: "Nicole Neal Goodson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-neal-goodson-mi-circuit-judge-3rd-circuit-court" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Nicole Neal Goodson 3rd Circuit Court · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: 3rd Circuit Court - State: Michigan - Role: Circuit 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/82) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/82) - [Michigan Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/82) - [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/nicole-neal-goodson-mi-circuit-judge-3rd-circuit-court", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-neal-goodson-mi-circuit-judge-3rd-circuit-court", "name": "Nicole Neal Goodson | KnowJudges", "description": "Nicole Neal Goodson, 3rd Circuit 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/nicole-neal-goodson-mi-circuit-judge-3rd-circuit-court#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-neal-goodson-mi-circuit-judge-3rd-circuit-court#judge", "name": "Nicole Neal Goodson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-neal-goodson-mi-circuit-judge-3rd-circuit-court", "jobTitle": "Circuit Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "3rd Circuit Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/82" ] }, { "@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": "Nicole Neal Goodson", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nicole-neal-goodson-mi-circuit-judge-3rd-circuit-court" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge of the Michigan 3rd Circuit Court, appointed in 2022 to replace Judge Lynne A. Pierce, and is currently running for re‐election in 2026 - She has been with Legal Aid since 2009, in various leadership roles, and previously served as compliance officer/partner at The Bingham Law Group and as an attorney with Trott & Trott, P.C. State of Michigan ### Education - B.S. in Education from the University of Detroit - University of Detroit Mercy School of Law — J.D. ### Additional information - She assumed office on November 7, 2022, following her appointment by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on October 12, 2022. - Before joining the bench, Goodson was the President & CEO of the Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. from 2017 to 2022, where she oversaw services for survivors of domestic violence and residents facing homelessness. - Active in community organizations, including the SASHA Center board and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc - Circuit Judge on the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County, Michigan, a court that handles a wide range of cases including family, domestic, criminal, and civil matters. - Beyond her judicial role, Goodson is a founding member of the Michigan Racial Justice Committee and treasurer of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - She also has legal experience with Legal Aid & Defender Association and the UAW‐GM Legal Services Plan State of Michigan ## 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. - [Michigan Court Rules — Circuit Court appellate proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-a75753f265346674eb8ae5f8) — Michigan Circuit Court appellate proceedings only; retained September 2, 2026 compilation. Source exceptions and later amendments apply. [Official source](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/michigan-court-rules.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.