--- title: "Rachel Rancilio | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rachel-rancilio-mi-circuit-judge-16th-circuit-court" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Rachel Rancilio 16th Circuit Court · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: 16th 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/50) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/50) - [Michigan Courts official judicial roster](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/50) - [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/rachel-rancilio-mi-circuit-judge-16th-circuit-court", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rachel-rancilio-mi-circuit-judge-16th-circuit-court", "name": "Rachel Rancilio | KnowJudges", "description": "Rachel Rancilio, 16th 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/rachel-rancilio-mi-circuit-judge-16th-circuit-court#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rachel-rancilio-mi-circuit-judge-16th-circuit-court#judge", "name": "Rachel Rancilio", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rachel-rancilio-mi-circuit-judge-16th-circuit-court", "jobTitle": "Circuit Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "16th Circuit Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.michigan.gov/api/directory/county/50" ] }, { "@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": "Rachel Rancilio", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rachel-rancilio-mi-circuit-judge-16th-circuit-court" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Elected judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Macomb County, Michigan, and currently serves as Chief Judge Pro Tempore - As Chief Judge Pro Tempore, she leads the court’s administrative and judicial leadership functions during the Chief Judge’s absence - Before joining the bench, Rancilio was a partner at Fischer, Garon, Hoyumpa & Rancilio in Mt. ### Education ### Additional information - Rancilio has presided over hundreds of divorce, custody, juvenile, and neglect cases, and has been involved in the Adult Drug Court program since 2023. - Began her judicial tenure on January 1, 2017, initially assigned to the Family Division, and has held the role of Presiding Judge of the Family Division since January 1, 2023. - In January 2025, Chief Judge James Biernat appointed her Chief Judge Pro Tempore, succeeding Judge Matt Switalski, to ensure continuity and leverage her extensive experience Hoodline - Attorney-of-record in over 200 cases before the Macomb Circuit bench - Clemens, MI, specializing in complex domestic, civil, and criminal litigation for 14 years. - Known for her work in family law and juvenile matters, as well as leadership in the court’s drug court program ## 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.