Important Reminder: Persons participating in video proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of federal court proceedings. Any recording of a court proceeding held by video or teleconference, including “screen-shots” or other visual or audio copying of a hearing, is prohibited. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court-issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions.
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.
Zoom Account and Software
- Participants: You can attend a Zoom hearing on your iPhone or Android with the Zoom App or you can attend from a computer via a browser (Chrome is highly recommended) at https://zoomgov.com (link is external). A paid Zoom account is not necessary for any interaction with the court.
- It is not necessary to register with Zoom or download the app 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 to attend.
- Always keep your App or browsers up to date for security purposes.
- Attendees: Zoom video viewing for non-case participants (such as the media or the public) is available. Attendees interested in listening to a hearing via telephone should refer to the instructions.
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.
- General: Ask me to confirm when I leave a meeting: ON (Helps prevent unintended departures)
- Video: Enable HD: OFF (Helps prevent poor video performance, and usually looks just as good as HD)
- Video: Always display participant names on their video: ON
- Video: Always show video preview dialog when joining a video meeting: ON (Final check before your video displays to others)
Learning
The court will only be using the audio and video functionality of Zoom. The court does use interpretations and breakout rooms. Other functions like text chat, screen sharing, etc., will generally 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 how to mute/unmute your audio, and start/stop your video:
- Video: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/sections/200521865-Video (link is external)
- Audio: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/sections/200319096-Audio (link is external)
- Learn how to easy mute/unmute with Push to talk:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360000510003-Push-to-Talk (link is external) - Hot Keys and Keyboard Shortcuts to start/stop video, mute, etc.:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/205683899-Hot-Keys-and-Keyboard-Shortcuts-for-Zoom (link is external) - In-meeting Chat: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203650445-In-meeting-chat (link is external)
- Screen Sharing: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362153-Sharing-your-screen-in-a-meeting (link is external) or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA6SGQlVmcA (link is external)
- Breakout Rooms: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115005769646-Participating-in-breakout-rooms (link is external) or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbPpdyn16sY (link is external)
- Language - Interpretation: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034919791-Language-interpretation-in-meetings-and-webinars (link is external) or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nldGntmE7mQ (link is external)
Recommendations
- Avoid using an open microphone (a webcam microphone) and speakers built-into laptops. Earphones with a microphone work well. Using a good quality headset (headphones with microphone) will often help ensure maximum sound quality to allow stenographers to capture your participation. Using earphones with a microphone, and muting when not speaking, is essential if two persons are logged onto Zoom in the same room.
- Mute your phone, and mute all sounds from all other applications (email notifications, chat messaging, etc.).
- Avoid using a mobile device if possible. Although tablets (iPads) and smartphones can be used, they are limited, and their performance is inferior.
- Avoid using battery power only (laptops, etc.). Plug into a good power source while in a Zoom meeting.
- Avoid noisy and echoing locations. Use of earphones or a headset will improve audio quality when this is unavoidable.
- Avoid distracting real or virtual backgrounds, including traffic areas or bright light.
- Avoid poor camera positioning (if possible). Try to frame yourself so you take up most the screen, and are at eye level.
- Avoid running any unnecessary applications besides Zoom, to conserve your computer’s processing power and networking.
- 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.
- Avoid running any unnecessary applications besides Zoom, to conserve your computer’s processing power and networking.
- For home networks, if possible, ask others to avoid using your internet service during the session.
Before Every Court Session using Zoom
- Connect your device to power.
- Make sure your internet connection is good:
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2048594/how-to-test-your-home-internet-speed.html (link is external) - Test your video.
- Test your audio.
- Turn off all audio disruptions (phones, messaging alerts, email alerts, etc.).
- Run a quick test to connect with another Zoom user, or use the Zoom test:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115002262083-Joining-a-test-meeting (link is external)
Zoom Bench & Jury Trials
The court is able to hold jury and bench trials via Zoom. Please visit the court's Virtual Proceedings webpage for additional information.