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Remote Hearing Information

Preparing for the Hearing

  1. If you need to submit exhibits, please submit them 5 court days in advance to ensure they get processed and routed to the proper courtroom. You can e-mail them to:
  2. If your case is continued to a different hearing date, you will need to resubmit your exhibits 5 court days prior to the new hearing date.
  3. For Civil Division L, exhibits may be submitted electronically following the Court’s order on a case three (3) court days in advance of each hearing (including when continued). Exhibits must be marked (including the case number for hearing) and may not exceed 15 pages.

Joining the Hearing

From your device or computer, visit Remote Hearings and select the courtroom you are to appear in. Click on the link assigned to the courtroom that will hear your case.

  1. Join the hearing from a room with no or minimal background noise.
  2. Join the hearing 30 minutes prior to the start time indicated in your hearing notice so the clerk can you check you in.
  3. After the clerk admits you into the meeting, you will hear and see the courtroom and other participants. The clerk may ask you to confirm your name. Please unmute your mic and enable your camera.
Procedures During the Hearing
  1. At the beginning of a calendar being called, the Judge will set forth guidelines for the proceedings. Listen closely for further direction.
  2. Hearings may be called out of numerical order, so be sure to pay attention as the calendar is being called. You’ll need to answer "present" at the appropriate time.
  3. All participants shall place their microphones on mute unless they are speaking or wish to make an objection.
  4. All efforts shall be undertaken not to interrupt other speakers during the hearing, unless it is necessary to assert an objection. Please keep in mind a court reporter is transcribing the proceeding so speak clearly and slowly. Please do not interrupt when another party or the judge is speaking.
  5. If an interpreter is necessary, all participants shall speak slowly, in short complete sentences or questions, and allow time for translation. No one shall respond to a question posed by another participant until the question has been translated.
  6. Participants SHALL NOT record the video conference. ADVISORY: Users of the Court's video conferencing are reminded of the general prohibition against the photographing, recording and rebroadcasting of court proceedings (including those held by telephone or videoconferencing). See California Rule of Court 1.150 and this Court's Standing Order No. 19-0005. Any recording of a court proceeding is absolutely prohibited without a court order. Violation of this order of the Court is punishable as contempt pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 1209. All participants are required to ensure that no minor children are able to hear or see the videoconference hearings.
  7. All participants are required to identify anyone who may be observing the proceedings with them. This is essential to ensure the credibility of testimony.
Guidelines for Participants
  1. For the purpose of this guidance, a participant includes a party, an attorney or a witness.
  2. This information is provided as guidance. The conduct of the hearing remains a matter for the presiding judicial officer. Participants should follow any direction given by the judicial officer.
  3. The behavior, manner and presentation of a participant should be the same as if they were attending the Court hearing in person. This includes addressing the Judge correctly as “Your Honor” and addressing Counsel politely and courteously.
  4. The participant is to ensure that there will be no interruptions or distractions for the duration of their appearance at the hearing.
  5. If participants are unable to give uninterrupted evidence, they should advise the clerk or their attorney as soon as practical.
  6. A participant should have a copy of all pleadings and documents necessary for the hearing.
  7. A participant that plans to examine a witness must ensure the witness has a copy of documents to which they may be referred.
  8. Participants are not permitted to use or access their phones during the hearing except to communicate with their attorney of record as permitted by the judge.
  9. If an objection is made all participants must stop speaking and wait for the Court’s ruling on the objection. An attorney or self-represented party can ask to be heard on the objection after it is made. The Court may also request a response to an objection.
  10. Where an objection is made and discussions are required in the absence of the witness, the witness may be asked to mute their computer or otherwise be virtually ejected from the meeting space and invited to re-join when the objection has been dealt with.
  11. The Court will hold all hearings to a strict time estimate. It is best not to repeat arguments in the written pleadings as the Court has read and reviewed those documents.
  12. Once the Court has heard from all litigants the matter will be submitted for decision. Once submitted the Court will make a ruling and no further argument shall be considered.
Safety in Virtual Hearings

Litigants should be mindful of their personal safety when participating in virtual hearings, including by considering the following:

  1. If joining the hearing using video, consider turning on background blur, or sitting in front of a neutral background such as a blank wall, blind or door.
  2. If there are safety concerns about appearing with video turned on, the Judge may permit litigants to participate in the hearing using only audio.
  3. Be sure to set aside time to participate in the hearing distraction-free and without children present.
Technology Tips
  1. Use a headset, or headphones that have a microphone (such as most headphones that come with smartphones), to avoid echo and increase audio quality. Ensure you select the headphones in the settings for ‘Devices’ as the microphone and speaker. If you have the volume turned up and audio coming through the speakers of your device, it may be picked up by your microphone and create an echo. If other participants are complaining of echo and you cannot hear any echo, it is likely that you are the cause.
  2. Ensure you are in a quiet, distraction-free location with good lighting and minimal background noise.
  3. Participants should have their microphone muted and cameras switched off when they are not speaking or not required to be seen, as directed by the Judge.
  4. If appearing by telephone, do not place the Court on hold. Speak directly into the phone or headset. Do not place the phone on speakerphone, as it will decrease audio quality.
  5. Ensure devices are fully charged before the hearing and have chargers nearby. Videoconferencing can drain the battery of devices.