Virtual Court

Because of the covid pandemic, more Texas courts began livestreaming many proceedings. In some situations, it may now be possible to show up for court virtually (such as by Zoom, Teams, WebEx, CourtCall, or another videoconferencing service).

Many courts in Texas held essential hearings by videoconference during the covid-19 crisis, usually using Zoom. The Office of Court Administration put up a guide to the process that includes instructions and links to tutorials. There is also a list of court livestreams.

The Texas Supreme Court authorizes courts to do this. Until 2023, this authorization came from emergency orders. Now, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 21d, gives courts the ability to offer virtual court in some circumstances.

Contact your court’s court coordinator or administrator to see what their procedure is. You can usually find the court coordinator’s contact information on the county’s web page. The best practice for learning this information, if it is not posted on the county's or court's website, is to contact the court coordinator.

You can ask the other side if they agree to reschedule the case and ask the court coordinator by email if this is an option. You will need to Cc: the other side (such as the other parent) and other interested parties (such as the Office of the Attorney General if this is a child support case). Some courts have already rescheduled hearings, so if you are not sure, contact the court coordinator.

Or you might try to get a continuance. A continuance changes the date of a court hearing or trial to a later date. You can ask a judge for a continuance by filing a motion for continuance. Read How to Ask for a Continuance.

Start by reading Tips for the Courtroom. Consider the videoconference to be a courtroom. It is not meant to be more casual than a physical courtroom. Virtual court is still "real" court.

Dress neatly. Do not wear printed t-shirts, tank tops, or hats. Dress like you are going to a job interview.

Contact the court coordinator. If you have a court date, they likely will be sending you an email invitation.

It is better to wait for an email from the court rather than trying to start your own virtual court session because Texas judges have access to professional versions of software that let them control the proceeding (for example, controlling who can talk and when) almost as if it were really in a courthouse.

Check with your court first. Also read I need to present evidence in a virtual hearing.

One way it is being done: Email your exhibit to the court coordinator. They can handle it so that the judge, court reporter, and the other side can see your exhibits at the right time during your hearing.

Practice using your videoconferencing app several days before your hearing. This gives you time to fine-tune your setup and get comfortable with it. Only so much time is available for your court matter, and you may not want to waste your scheduled time trying to troubleshoot your setup.

Watch court hearings beforehand at Texas Court Livestreams. (Don't listen to the livestream at the same time in the same room as your hearing, because this can cause feedback that will make it hard for everyone involved to understand and participate in what is going on.

Some other tips from the Texas Office of Court Administration:

• Wear a solid color, not a pattern. Whatever color you wear should not blend into your background (don't wear a blue shirt if you are in front of a blue wall).
• When speaking, look directly at the camera, not at the screen.
• Position the camera at your eye level or slightly above eye level.
• Be mindful of what is behind you. Choose a solid, neutral wall if you can.
• Check the lighting.
  • Light from a window behind you might blind the camera, making you look dark.
  • Light above you in the center of a room might cast shadows.
  • Ideally, put a lamp, or sit facing a window, where light is directly on your face.
  • Also, know that your screen may cast light that can make you look blue.
• Speak one at a time and pause prior to speaking in case there is any audio or video lag.
• Mute yourself when you are not speaking in order to avoid any potential background noise.

Test your connection and setup with by testing your connection with a test meeting.

You may need to file a motion to appear remotely in court.

• I want to appear in family court remotely.
• I want to go to divorce court remotely.
• Asking to Appear in Court by Video or Phone (Non-Family Law).

You can use Zoom or similar videoconferencing apps on a smartphone to access your court hearing. But you may have better results—based in part on having a steadier internet connection—if you have access to a laptop computer or desktop with a webcam. Zoom, etc., may be easier to use on a computer.

There may be some resources available. Read the article Internet Access to find resources near you. Additionally, TexasLawHelp's Texas Free WiFi Map shows places where you can get free internet access. Or you can call 2-1-1 for suggestions.

If you are having a hard time getting access to the technology you need, let the court coordinator and other parties know ahead of time.