Orange — Administrative Order 23/06: Updated Remote Appearance Guidelines for Civil and Probate

Source: https://www.occourts.org/system/files/general/administrativeorder23_06_updatedremoteappearances.pdf

Superior Court of California County of Orange

Chambers of

MARIA D. HERNANDEZ 700 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE WEST PRESIDING JUDGE SANTA ANA, CA 92701

Administrative Order No. 23/06

UPDATED REMOTE APPEARANCE GUIDELINES FOR CIVIL AND PROBATE

Effective November 13, 2023, the Court is adopting new guidelines for participation in

remote proceedings and partially remote proceedings pursuant to Code Civ. Proc. §367.75, Rule

of Court 3.672, and Local Rule 375. These modifications are intended to promote the effectiveness,

security, and efficiency of the remote hearing process. All persons intending to appear remotely in

any proceeding before the Court should familiarize themselves with these updated guidelines in

advance of the proceedings. A detailed description of the applicable procedures and guidelines is

available on the Court ’s public website.

Key provisions include:

1. All participants will be required to provide a case number for a matter that is scheduled for

hearing before being permitted to check-in via the desktop or mobile virtual appearance

application. Participants will need to have the required check-in information at hand for

each matter in which they intend to appear remotely to avoid delays in being able to join

those hearings. Participants must have camera and audio capabilities so that they can be

seen and heard by the Court. Otherwise, parties should be prepared to appear in-person.

2. Participants in remote proceedings must conduct themselves as though they were present

   in a courtroom, with proper decorum, demeanor, and attire. More specifically, participants:

   (a) shall not speak out of turn, chew gum, eat, smoke, vape, or use a cell phone, or other

electronic device not related to the proceeding (b) shall take reasonable steps to avoid

distracting background imagery, noises and activity; (c) shall refrain from profanity and

obscene conduct or gestures; (c) shall not display any image, document or video unless

expressly permitted by the Court; and (d) shall be dressed in a manner that is not

Superior Court of California November 13, 2023 County of Orange

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distracting to persons of normal sensibilities and that is in accordance with current

customs for appropriate business attire. By checking in for a remote appearance,

participants will be deemed to have agreed to abide by the standards and guidelines set

forth in this Administrative Order, the Check-in (ACI) screens displayed when using

desktop or mobile applications, and the Court’s Courtroom Advisement for Remote

Hearings.

Violations of any of these standards may result in the participant’s removal from the remote

hearing, muting of the participant’s audio, disabling of the participant’s camera, contempt

proceedings, and/or monetary sanctions. (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 177.5 and 1205.) The IP

address of persons who engage in inappropriate or disruptive conduct during a remote

appearance may be blocked from joining future virtual hearings. Moreover, where the

violation is deemed severe, the offender may be referred to law enforcement for potential

prosecution. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 166(a)(1,3, 4, or 5) and 647.)

This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until amended or repealed.

IT IS SO ORDERED this (3 ay of November, 2023, at Santa Ana, California.

Presiding Judge