Remote appearances may be authorized in select circumstances and in certain proceedings pursuant to Penal Code § 977.3. If you are represented by an attorney, contact your attorney before requesting a remote appearance.

Judicial approval is required for all remote appearances. In some instances, the judicial officer may grant remote appearances for the duration of a case. Even if such notice or waiver applies, a new CourtCall meeting link is required for each hearing.

The platform divides users into two groups – “parties” and “Ad hoc participants.”

1. Parties, for purposes of the remote appearance platform, include individuals or entities listed in the court’s official record (including attorneys, businesses, etc.).
2. Ad hoc participants, for purposes of the remote appearance platform, include anyone not listed as a party in the court’s official record, such as witnesses, interpreters, court reporters, victims, or agencies (county, state, federal, hospitals, etc.).

Scheduling instructions for both groups are provided below. Regardless of the scheduling process, judicial approval is required before appearing in court remotely.

Request and Notice Process

To request a telephonic or video appearance via CourtCall, the following requirements must be met:

1. File a Request for Remote Appearance and Order (GR.060[AB1] ) form at least five (5) court days before the hearing.

The court will notify the requestor if the remote appearance is approved or denied. If approved, parties will be required to schedule themselves for remote appearances.

Ad hoc participants who are approved for a remote appearance must contact the court so they can schedule the remote appearance.

Scheduling for a Remote Appearance after Approval

Parties who need to schedule their own remote appearance can do so by visiting CourtCall’s Remote Court Scheduler (RCS) website.

Ad hoc participants who need the court to schedule their remote appearance can do so by calling the Support Services Coordinators at (530) 532-7050.