Virtual Hearing Information
Remote proceedings are official court hearings that are recorded and made part of the record. Whether your hearing is set by telephone or Zoom, all participants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner as if they were physically present in the courtroom. Children should not be present.
Counsel are responsible for preparing their clients for a Zoom hearing; self-represented parties are responsible for their own preparation.
Download Zoom
The Court uses the Zoom platform for remote proceedings. You must download the Zoom app in advance of your hearing. Please note, if you are using a laptop or desktop computer, it must have a camera. If you do not have a camera on your desktop or laptop, you can utilize a smartphone. To download the phone app please visit Download Center for Zoom Apps and Plugins | Zoom.
If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, the following link will give you an understanding of how the program works: Getting started guide for new users (zoom.com).
If for any reason, you cannot access the Zoom app, including not having access to a laptop or cell phone, or you have questions about remote proceedings, please call the Domestic Relations Court at 216.443.8800. You must inform us if you are unable to attend by Zoom at least 4 days PRIOR to the scheduled date. To request accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act please contact 216-443-8800.
Review your email. Your Zoom invitation may come through the email address you provided the Court.
If you did not receive an email, you can join your hearing by selecting the appropriate Judge, Magistrate, or Mediator from the list of Zoom Links.
The day of your hearing, join at least ten minutes before the start time so you can fix any problems connecting or with Zoom. If you fail to join the proceeding in a timely manner, the case may go forward without your participation.
Please make sure you have a private place in which to conduct the Zoom meeting. Find a quiet, private space with a stable internet connection. Avoid areas with background noise or distractions.
Join with video and internet audio when prompted. Make sure your camera is on and your microphone is unmuted. Make sure your profile or screen name is your first and last name that matches the one the court has on file.
Upon joining, you will be placed in a virtual waiting room. Be patient. The meeting host will admit you into your meeting when the case is called.
No one is permitted to record any Zoom meeting or hearing with the Court or to communicate with anyone else not a part of the Zoom meeting in any fashion unless permission is requested during the hearing and granted by Court personnel.
Upon Joining the Zoom Meeting
The Judge or Magistrate will direct the hearing and ask for participants to speak. Keep your microphone unmuted and camera on at all times. If you have a witness, they will be joined into the meeting and instructions will follow.
If you are disconnected from the meeting, reconnect immediately using the same Zoom link. Stay on Zoom until court is dismissed by the Judge or Magistrate.
Participants should be focused only on the hearing. Avoid distractions, doing other tasks, or unnecessarily getting up and moving around during the hearing. People who are not involved in the hearing should not be present, unless permitted by the Court. Be attentive during the hearing.
- Dress appropriately.
- Do not attend the hearing while driving, walking, lying down, or talking to others. Sit upright and be sure your face is visible with appropriate lighting.
- Do not smoke, vape, eat or drink while attending virtual court.
- Keep your camera turned on for the entire hearing.
- There should be no offensive or distracting backgrounds.
- Avoid talking at the same time someone else is talking. Just like an in-person court setting, the Judge or Magistrate will indicate when it is your turn to be heard.
- Speak slowly and clearly and allow time for any technological delay between devices.
- If technical problems occur, please remain quiet so the Court can address the issue.
- Do not communicate by text, telephone, video, chat, email, or speaking directly to anyone during testimony except with counsel or an interpreter.
- Recording proceedings by any participant is strictly prohibited.