Virtual Court Resources

 Virtual Courtroom Protocol

Although your court appearance may occur virtually, the expectations and requirements are that participants must conduct themselves with the same professional behaviour as if they were physically in the courtroom. 

Guidelines for virtual court participation

• Participants should join the Zoom meeting at least ten minutes before their scheduled court appearance.
  • If technical support is needed, please contact Zoom’s Help Centre. If technical difficulties are experienced which prevent a participant from hearing, seeing, or following the hearing, they should immediately notify the Court by speaking, raising their hand, or using Zoom’s “Raise Hand” button. If joining a Zoom hearing by phone, they may raise their hand by pressing *9. If a participant becomes disconnected from the hearing, they should immediately attempt to rejoin.
• When signing into the meeting, participants’ are to sign in using their legal first and last name.
• Participants should ensure their camera is on when entering the virtual courtroom. 
  • Where court is proceeding by video, all parties are expected to appear on video.
• Participants must ensure their devices microphone is muted until their matter is called by the court.
• Participants are to join the meeting dressed appropriately for a court appearance in a private, well-lit, quiet space.
• Participants should ensure their device is connected to the Internet or a Wi-Fi hotspot, fully charged or connected to a power source.
• Those participating by telephone should not use speakerphone or put the call on hold (as it may produce disruptive sounds). A landline is better than a cell phone.

 Public observation of a virtual hearing

Information for Public Observers and the Media can be accessed here.

• instructions coming soon.

 ZOOM Court Appearance Resources

If you have not downloaded the Zoom mobile app yet, you can download it from the App store.

Additional Resources:

• Joining a virtual court using Zoom meeting
• Attendee controls in a Zoom meeting
• Remote hearing guidelines

Getting Started With Your Hearing

Joining the Meeting

The Zoom video link or dial in number was provided on your notice.  All court appearance dates and meeting links are posted on the County of Lambton website events calendar.

Waiting Room

After clicking the "join meeting" button, you may be taken to a virtual waiting room.  This feature allows the court clerk to control who enters the hearing.  Once the clerk admits you, you will enter the hearing.

The court clerk may also put you into the waiting room during the hearing.  For example, this could happen when the court goes down for a break.  You will be added back into the hearing once the court clerk readmits you.

During The Hearing

Mute/Unmute and Audio Settings

The mute button mutes or unmutes your microphone. We ask that you mute your microphone until your matter is called in court.

Video

The start/stop video is how you turn on/off your camera. If your camera is off, a red line will appear through the camera icon.  Click on the camera icon to turn your camera on. 

Participants

To see who is currently in the hearing, click participants from the menu bar.  Hover over your name if you need to change the way it appears in the participants list and video window.

Raise Hand

If you would like to speak, you can let the court know by using the "raise hand" feature.  Note: this feature will only be available if the court clerk has enabled it. From the participant's button, click Raise Hand button.

Share Screen

The Crown and defense can share exhibits using the Share Screen function.  Please note that this feature may not be enabled for all meetings.

Breakout Rooms

Breakout rooms are sessions that are split off from the main Zoom meeting. They allow the participants to meet in smaller groups, and are completely isolated in terms of audio and video from the main session. Breakout rooms can be used for collaboration and discussion of the meeting.  For example, there could be a separate room for prosecution, defence and witnesses.

Exhibits

Email documents to be considered for exhibits in advance of your trial date to poa.court@county-lambton.on.ca. Include the name of the accused in the subject line and/or the offence number. 

Accessibility 

Provincial Offences Guide for Defendants