Using Zoom™ for Court Hearings
The Zoom™ application is free for iOS and Android devices and accessible via Windows desktop or MacOS computers (must have camera and microphone plus a stable internet connection). There is no charge to use Zoom™ service for court hearings.
We recommend that you test your speaker, microphone, camera and internet connection before your Zoom™ scheduled hearing. If your signal strength is too weak this may impact your ability to participate in the virtual hearing.
Recording/Photographs/Reproduction: Any video recording, audio recording, photographing, taking screenshots, and/or reproducing of the livestream is strictly prohibited.
How to Attend Zoom™ Video Conference/Hearing
Begin by installing Zoom™ for smartphones and tablets, download ZOOM from the Play Store or App Store. For your desktop computer, laptop or notebook device with webcam and microphone, please visit www.zoom.us and follow the instructions to download the app.
Log On to the Zoom™ website or open the Zoom™ application
Click on Join a Meeting
Enter your Meeting ID
Enter Your Password If Required
You will be prompted to JOIN with video. Confirm that both audio and video have been activated for the Zoom™ session.
Information for the Zoom™ hearings can be found on the judge's profile page in the Judicial Directory page.
Initial Waiting Room
The Zoom™ Hearing Docket will be configured to allow early entrants to be placed into a "Waiting Room" until the case is called. The Court will begin calling cases at the scheduled time. However, wait times may be lengthy due to technological issues. If a Zoom™ Hearing participant becomes disconnected at any time, the participant will need to reconnect/call back in.
COURT HEARING VIDEO CONFERENCING TIPS
- Dress and look like you are going to court. No hats please.
- Do not join the Zoom™ meeting while in a moving vehicle. Internet connectivity may affect your Zoom connection.
- Do your best to have a stable internet connection. Ask others in your house or office to avoid large data use (game streaming; video streaming; etc.) while on a videoconference call.
- Join the Zoom™ Court Session 15 minutes before the scheduled time. If you arrive late, you will end up waiting longer in the Waiting Room.
- When you are admitted from the Waiting Room, you should mute yourself by clicking on the microphone icon. If there is a red line through the microphone you are muted and cannot be heard by the people in the meeting. When it is your turn to speak, you will need to unmute yourself by clicking the microphone.
- Use your full real name. Avoid using nicknames or the device’s default name setting.
- Be as still as possible while speaking and waiting to speak.
- Do your best to have a solid or non-distracting background, or utilize a virtual background.
- Have the camera face you straight on. Avoid leaning in or away from camera.
- Use dedicated Microphone for best clarity
- Be aware of your microphone and audio set up. Mute your microphone unless you are speaking. (Wireless earbuds are less distracting than large headphones and exclude outside noise. Wired earbuds can be distracting and the built-in microphone often rubs on your clothes.)
- Speak slowly and clearly. Avoid speaking over others.
- Avoid typing, eating or drinking during the conference.
- Do your best to ensure privacy during the conference; everyone understands children, pets, and other members of the household might wander in.
Join via Telephone
Dial: 1-786-635-1003
Enter your Meeting ID when prompted followed by #.
Enter your Password if required when prompted followed by#. Please listen carefully and follow instructions.