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.
For informational videos on how to use Zoom for a Virtual Court Hearing, click here.
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 https://zoom.us/ 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 Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court’s website https://www.fljud13.org/Remote-Hearings.aspx. This webpage will provide direct link to the Zoom hearing for the division plus meeting ID's and Password's if they are required.
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.
No Internet Connectivity- 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.
1. What is a remote court hearing?
A remote court hearing means that you and the other participants will be participating from somewhere other than the courtroom via phone or video. For instructions on how to participate in your remote hearing please refer to the instructions from the court.
2. How do I know if I have a hearing scheduled?
The court will notify you if you are scheduled for a hearing and provide instructions on how to participate. You will be informed on whether to appear in-person, by phone, and/or by video. If you are unsure whether you have a court hearing or how to participate, contact the Clerk's Office as soon as possible at 813-276-8100.
3. What will I need to attend Court using Zoom™?
You will need a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone that is equipped with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection.
4. What if I do not have internet or phone access or cannot attend remotely?
Contact the Clerk’s Office at 813-276-8100 as soon as possible to let them know. They may be able to help by rescheduling your hearing or by making other accommodations, as appropriate.
5. How do I participate in a remote hearing by video or by phone?
Details on about how to participate in your remote hearing will be provided to you by the court before the date of your hearing. General information about Zoom™ can be found on the Judiciary website. https://www.fljud13.org/Remote-Hearings.aspx.
6. What if I need an interpreter or other accommodations for the remote hearing?
If you need an interpreter or other accommodation for your hearing, you must let the court know in advance so arrangements can be made.
During the hearing, if you are having trouble hearing or using the remote hearing technology, let the court know as soon as possible.
To schedule a court intrepreter contact the Court Intrepreter Center at 813-272-5947. To request ADA accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 813-272-7040 or email ADA@fljud13.org.
7. What should I expect during the remote hearing?
When you first join, you may be placed in a virtual “waiting room” before the court is ready to move you to the “hearing room” for your case. The court can send you a message while in the “waiting room,” but other participants will not be able to see or contact you.
When you are moved to the “hearing room,” you will see the judge and other parties on your screen. Be sure to dress appropriately for the court hearing and locate a quite place to minimize distractions. The judge will make sure you can hear and be heard, and will explain the rules of the remote hearing. If at any time you cannot hear the court or other parties when they speak, immediately let the court know.
Place yourself on “mute” when not speaking, and listen carefully to the court’s instructions.
When your hearing is complete, the court may place you in a “breakout room” so that your attorney or a court staff member can speak to you about your case before you leave the remote hearing.
8. What if I am participating in a remote hearing, and phone data runs out or I run out of battery on the device I am using?
Fully charge your device before the hearing begins. If you sense that you are running out of data or battery, let the court know as soon as possible by sending a message using the “chat” feature. If you are using equipment other than a cell phone (laptop, iPad, etc.) for the hearing and that device becomes unable to complete the hearing, you can use a phone to dial into the hearing.
No Internet Connectivity- 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.
Contact the court as soon as possible if any technical difficulties prevent you from participating in the hearing either by video or by phone.