Remote Court Appearances

Parties and non-parties appearing remotely must follow the general rules and requirements below:

1. Those appearing remotely must ensure that they have sufficient battery power for the entire hearing.  Access to charging equipment is recommended. Connect to the court hearing at least 5 to 10 minutes prior to your scheduled hearing.  Parties should mute their device and not speak until it is clear that it is their turn to speak or when their case is called.  Speak directly into the microphone on the device used to connect to the court hearing.  Participants will be asked to identify themselves when the court clerk does the initial roll call and each time they speak.  Speak clearly, slowly, and avoid interrupting others.  Participate with the same degree of courtesy, decorum, use of appropriate language, and courtroom etiquette as required for an in-person appearance.  If appearing by video, participants must dress appropriately in the same manner as they would for an in-person court appearance.
2. Remote appearances require sufficient internet speed and connectivity to stream video, a device capable of capturing and displaying a clear audio and visual stream, and an indoor location with limited background noise and distraction. It is the sole responsibility of the party appearing by video to ensure the above criteria are met. The court may continue the hearing and require an in-person appearance if clear communication is not possible by video or if there is a distraction or disturbance that interferes with the hearing. 
3. Remote appearances with audio only or by telephone require sufficient connectivity and an indoor location with limited background noise and distraction. It is the sole responsibility of the party appearing by telephone to ensure the above criteria are met. The court may continue the hearing and require an in-person appearance if clear communication is not possible by phone or if there is a distraction or disturbance that interferes with the hearing.

Remote appearances for civil cases are as defined in California Rules of Court, rule 1.6(3)  and must be approved by a Judicial Officer prior to the hearing.  Nothing limits the court’s ability to order personal appearance instead of a video or telephone appearance.  The court retains full discretion to conclude the video or telephonic appearance on its own motion and reschedule the hearing for another date and time due to delay or other concern due to disruption, noise, misconduct, a communication problem, a technical problem, other issue, or in the interest of justice.

Parties and/or attorneys that wish to appear remotely will need to complete the mandatory Judicial Council Form, Notice of Remote Appearance RA-010, and the Judicial Council Form, Order Regarding Remote Appearance RA-020, and submit them to the court clerk and have your Notice served on all parties entitled to receive notice of the proceedings.

If your hearing is for a domestic violence or gun violence restraining order and you are having difficulties connecting to your remote appearance please call 530-842-0447.

Notice requirements

1. Hearings with at least three court days’ notice – Notice by moving party
   1. A party choosing to appear remotely in a proceeding under this subdivision for which a party gives or receives notice of the proceeding at least three court days before the hearing date, must provide notice of the party’s intent to appear remotely at least two court days before the proceeding.
   2. Notice to the court must be given by filing a Notice of Remote Appearance (form RA-010) with the court. Notice to the other parties may be provided in writing, electronically, or orally in a way reasonably calculated to ensure notice is received no later than two court days before the proceeding.
2. Hearings with less than three court days’ notice – Notice by other parties
   1. A party choosing to appear remotely in a proceeding under this subdivision for which a party gives or receives notice of less than three court days must provide notice of the party’s intent to appear remotely at the same time as providing notice of the application or other moving papers.
   2. Notice to the court must be given by filing a Notice of Remote Appearance (form RA-010) with the court. Notice to the other parties may be provided in writing, electronically, or orally in a way reasonably calculated to ensure notice is received with notice of the moving papers. Any party choosing to appear remotely at a hearing governed under this section, other than an applicant or moving party, must provide notice of their intent to appear remotely to the court and all other parties that have appeared in the action, no later than 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the proceeding.

Evidentiary Hearings or Trials

Parties may appear remotely if the appearance has been approved by the Judicial Officer. 

1. Notice requirements for evidentiary hearings or trials with at least 15 court days’ notice and small claims trials
   1. A party choosing to appear remotely at a small claims trial or an evidentiary hearing or trial for which a party gives or receives notice of the proceeding at least 15 court days before the hearing or trial date must provide notice of the party’s intent to appear remotely at least 10 court days before the hearing or trial.
   2. Notice to the court must be given by filing a Notice of Remote Appearance (form RA-010). Notice to the other parties may be in writing, electronically, or orally in a way reasonably calculated to ensure notice is received at least 10 court days before the proceeding. A party may use Notice of Remote Appearance (form RA-010) to provide proof to the court that notice to other parties was given.
2. Evidentiary hearings or trials held on less than 15 court days’ notice. 
   1. A party choosing to appear remotely in an evidentiary hearing or trial for which a party gives or receives notice of the proceeding less than 15 court days before the hearing or trial date, including hearings on restraining orders or protective orders, must provide notice of the party’s intent to appear remotely in one of the following ways:
      1. A party choosing to appear remotely in a proceeding under this subdivision for which a party gives or receives notice of less than three court days must provide notice of the party’s intent to appear remotely at the same time as providing notice of the application or other moving papers.  Notice to the court must be given by filing a Notice of Remote Appearance (form RA-010) with the court.  Notice to the other parties may be provided in writing, electronically, or orally in a way reasonably calculated to ensure notice is received with notice of the moving papers.  Any party choosing to appear remotely at a hearing governed under this section, other than an applicant or moving party, must provide notice of their intent to appear remotely to the court and all other parties that have appeared in the action, no later than 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the proceeding; or
      2. By filing a Notice of Remote Appearance (form RA-010) and providing notice to the other parties in writing, electronically, or orally in a way reasonably calculated to ensure notice is received at least five court days before the proceeding.
3. Opposition to Remote Appearance
   1. A party may file an opposition to the other party’s request to appear remotely by completing Judicial Council Form, Opposition to Remote Proceeding at Evidentiary Hearing or Trial RA-015 and file it with the court clerk and have it served on all parties entitled to receive notice of the proceedings.  Notice requirements are as follows:
      1. At least five court days before the proceeding if for an evidentiary hearing or trial for which a party gives or receives at least 15 court days’ notice; or
      2. At least noon the court day before the proceeding if for an evidentiary hearing or trial for which a party gives or receives less than 15 court days’ notice.
      3. If required by local rule, a party must ensure a copy of any opposition is received in the department in which the proceeding is to be held.

The court provides an opportunity for any person authorized to be present at a juvenile dependency hearing to request to appear remotely. All statutory confidentiality requirements applicable to a juvenile dependency proceeding held in person apply equally to a remote proceeding. Authorized parties and/or attorneys that wish to appear remotely may request by using any means, oral or written, that is reasonably calculated to ensure receipt by the court no later than the time the case is called for hearing. Parties and/or attorneys may request in writing by using the Judicial Council Form, Request to Appear Remotely RA-025 and file it with the court clerk.

Any party may ask the court to compel the physical presence of a witness or a party by filing the request in writing with the court and serving a copy of the request on the attorney for each party by any means authorized by law reasonably calculated to ensure receipt no later than close of business two court days before the proceeding. Judicial Council Form, Request to Compel Physical Presence—Juvenile Dependency RA-030 may be used for this purpose.