Remote Appearances
Alpine County Superior Court allows certain proceedings to be conducted remotely via Zoom.
To Make Your Request
Alpine County Superior Court offers the opportunity to appear remotely via Zoom in various case types pursuant to the California Code of Civil Procedure, Penal Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, and Local Rules of Court.
To appear remotely for a court appearance, file the appropriate form below:
| Case Type | Form |
|---|---|
| Civil, Family Law, Probate, or Small Claims | Notice of Remote Appearance (RA-010) |
| Criminal (Misdemeanor or Felony) | Request for Remote Appearance (ALP-CR-002) |
| Juvenile | |
| Traffic Infractions or Non-Traffic Infractions | No form required. Contact the Court Clerk's Office no later than five (5) days prior to your hearing date. |
Reminder: Parties who appear remotely for a court proceeding may encounter technological or audibility issues when using remote technology, which may require a delay of or halt the proceedings.
Making Your Appearance
Warning: Any recording of a court proceeding held by video or teleconference, including “screen-shots” or other audio or visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited.
Before You Join the Hearing
- Download Zoom to the device you plan to use for the hearing, and create an account if you do not have one.
- Use your full first and last name as it is shown on your driver's license or court documentation. It is recommended to include your case/ docket number if you have room. Please make sure you are not using a username or nickname that is inappropriate to be shown in court.
- If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with computer technology, please consider using the telephone call-in number in the Zoom invite to participate.
How to Join
- Check your email for your Zoom Invite from the court clerk's office. If you did not receive your invite, contact the clerk’s office no later than the Friday before your hearing.
- Join the Zoom Meeting 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
- Clicking on the link will open your browser (if on a computer) and prompt you to either open your Zoom application or select “Launch Meeting.”
- On a mobile device, clicking on the link will automatically open your Zoom application if installed.
- After you connect, a screen should load showing your face. After you see this screen, click join with video.
- Once you have joined, you will be placed into the Zoom Waiting Room. (When in the waiting room, you cannot hear or see the court proceedings. A courtroom clerk will still be able to message you to make requests or update you on the status of the proceedings. )
- When the court is ready to hear your case, you will be allowed entry in the Zoom meeting from the waiting room.
- You will then see a message to “join with computer audio”, or “join with internet audio”. Choose the one that will allow you to connect with your device.
- Headset: We strongly recommend using headphones with a built-in microphone.
- If you do not have a headset with a microphone, you may join the video portion with your computer and use your phone for audio.
- Please keep yourself on mute until it is your turn to speak. When you are muted there is a red line through the microphone icon. You mute and unmute by clicking on this icon.
- Make sure the video icon does not have a red line through it when you enter the virtual session. Enabling video will allow others to see you.
Call in Options
- If connecting by phone (without video), you will need to dial one of the phone numbers listed under “Dial by Location” on your Zoom Invite, or use the Toll-free option.
- When prompted, enter the meeting ID and Passcode.
- Pressing *6 will mute and unmute your phone.
Helpful Tips and Reminders
If you are using a cell phone, tablet, laptop or other similar powered device to use Zoom that runs by battery power:
- Make sure the device is plugged into a charging device during the hearing.
- Make sure you have a reliable internet or phone connection.
- If you are disconnected during the hearing, please try to reconnect via Zoom first.
- If you continue to have issues and cannot reconnect before or during your matter being heard, please call the Clerk's Office at (530) 694-2113.
- Please do not speak until the Judge calls your case.
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Speak slowly and clearly at all times.
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Announce your name before you begin speaking, and do not interrupt or otherwise speak over another person.
- Once your matter has finished being heard, please disconnect/ leave the meeting.
- Dress appropriately for court if you have enabled video. Judges may request you turn on video at any time during the hearing.
- Parties must appear in a quiet, private area with minimal background noise. Avoid noisy and echoing locations.
- No children are allowed to be present for the hearing unless specifically ordered by the Judge for this specific hearing.
- Your case may not be heard at the time the calendar is scheduled to start. The courtroom will keep you in the waiting room and admit you into the meeting and place you and all other participants on mute when ready.
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Keep in mind that your case may not be called for up to an hour.
- Please do not speak until the Judge calls your case.
- Once your matter has finished being heard, please disconnect/ leave the meeting.