Remote appearances are generally authorized pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 367.75(h) and California Rule of Court, Rule 3.672(i). 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.

All remote appearance requests must comply with the noticing requirements outlined below. Notice to parties must be provided for every hearing unless a notice for remote appearances for the duration of a case or a waiver of notice by stipulation has been made, pursuant to CRC, Rule 3.672(f).

Request and Notice Process

1. File and serve a Request to Appear Remotely—Juvenile Dependency (RA-025) at least ten (10) court days before the hearing. If a hearing is set to take place with less than ten (10) days’ advance notice, parties must file and serve notice of their intent to appear remotely no later than 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the proceeding.
2. The requestor should also file a proposed Order Regarding Remote Appearance (RA-020) with the court along with the RA-025.
3. In response to a request for remote appearance by video, a responding party may file and serve a Request to Compel Physical Presence—Juvenile Dependency (RA-030) at least five (5) court days before the hearing. If a hearing is set to take place with less than ten (10) days’ advance notice, parties must file and serve notice of their objection no later than 2:00 p.m. on the court day before the proceeding.

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.