Video court tips

Logistics

• To appear by video, you will need a device with an internet connection, video camera and microphone (or a headset with microphone)
• Please check your device at this link prior to the hearing: https://zoom.us/test
• Be sure that your username for the video (Zoom) hearing is the same as the name on the hearing notice you received from the court
• Join the video session 15 minutes before the scheduled hearing time: If you arrive late, you will end up waiting longer in the waiting room
• Keep yourself muted until the court asks you to speak (mute/unmute yourself by clicking on the microphone icon)
• If you get dropped from the session, please join again; If you are having connection problems, you might want to try joining by telephone
• If a language interpreter is present, be aware that they might interrupt from time to time to clarify who is speaking

Your environment

• Make sure that you are in a quiet place; cell phones should be muted, doors to rooms closed and disruptions minimized
• Do not join the video hearing while in a moving vehicle, as internet connectivity can be adversely impacted
• Be aware of the area behind you; make sure it is appropriate, as it will be seen by the judge and other people attending the hearing
• Do not sit directly in front of or behind a window, to minimize glare

Waiting room

• When you join the session, you will be placed in a waiting room; once the court is ready for you, you will be admitted to the hearing

Entering the hearing

• If you have not previously clicked on the "Join by Video" button, you can click on "Start Video" in the bottom left corner after joining the meeting so that others can see you; If the "Start Video" icon has a red line through it, no one can see you

Breakout room

• If two or more participants need to have a private conversation, the judge can send them to their own meeting, then bring them back into the hearing when their conversation is over

Sharing documents with the court

• The system allows for direct chats with the court clerk and for submitting documents to them in real time