General

Preparing properly as a case participant will ensure all involved will have a good experience and avoid unnecessary delay. It is important that you pay close attention to this guidance and it is strongly recommended that you familiarize yourself with this software before participating in a court hearing.

The courtroom deputy for the case you are participating in will send a Zoom meeting invitation for any proceeding you have via Zoom. This request will include instructions and a link to join the Zoom meeting at the appropriate time.

Zoom Bench & Jury Trials

The Court holds jury and bench trials via ZoomGov. The Court has prepared a handbook for attorneys participating in those trials to provide guidance on Zoom basics, evidence, witnesses, and more. The guidance included is still relevant for attorneys participating in other types of proceedings.

 Virtual Trial Handbook for Attorneys  

Zoom Account and Software

1. Participants: You can attend a Zoom hearing on your iPhone/Android with the Zoom App or you can attend from a computer via a browser at www.zoomgov.com. A paid Zoom account is not necessary for any interaction with the court.
2. It is not necessary to register with Zoom in order to participate in court hearings. Rather, the Court will send to you a meeting ID and password when you are scheduled to attend. This information will be necessary when attending via a mobile device. Please note that meeting information should be considered sensitive and only be used by the parties involved in the hearing.
3. Always keep your app or browsers up to date for security purposes.
4. Attendees: Zoom video viewing for non-case participants (such as the media or the public) is available via our interactive courtlist page.

Settings

Zoom has a lot of settings, and as Zoom updates their system they may change aspects. Below are a few settings recommended by the Court to improve your video conference.

Learning

The court will only be using the audio and video functionality of Zoom. Other functions like text chat, screen sharing, etc., may not be used, and will likely be disabled for your session, so you only need to learn the basics of using Zoom for audio and video. Learn the basics of Zoom:

1. Video
2. Audio
3. Push-to-talk (easily mute/unmute)
4. Hot keys and keyboard shortcuts
5. In-meeting chat
6. Screen sharing
7. Breakout rooms
8. Language - Interpretation

Here are some other training material (videos):

1. In-meeting chat
2. Screen sharing
3. Breakout rooms
4. Language - Interpretation

Recommendations

1. Avoid using an open microphone and speakers (such as are built-into laptops, or a webcam mic). Using a good quality headset (headphones with mic) will often help ensure you can be heard and can hear others with maximum quality.
2. Mute your phone, and mute all sounds from all other applications (email notifications, chat messaging, etc.).
3. Avoid using a mobile device if possible. Although tablets (iPads, etc.) and smartphones can be used, they are very limited, and the performance is inferior.
4. Avoid using battery power only (laptops, etc.). Plug into a good power source while in a Zoom meeting.
5. Avoid noisy and echoing locations. Use of a headset will improve audio quality when this is unavoidable.
6. Avoid distracting real or virtual backgrounds. (See a suitable example here)
7. Avoid poor camera positioning (if possible). Try to frame yourself so you take up most the screen, and at eye level.
8. Avoid using WiFi if possible. Connection via a hard-wire Ethernet cable will always be faster and more reliable than WiFi. If you must use WiFi, make sure you’re in close range.
9. Avoid running any unnecessary applications besides Zoom, to conserve your computer’s processing power and networking.
10. For home networks, if possible, avoid sharing your internet service with others during the session.

Before Every Court Hearing Held By Zoom

1. Connect your device to power.
2. Make sure your internet connection is good: www.speedtest.net is a free internet connectivity speed test.
3. Test your video.
4. Test your audio.
5. Turn off all audio disruptions (phones, messaging alerts, email alerts, etc.)
6. Run a quick test to connect with another Zoom user, or use the Zoom test here.