Rules for Remote Hearings
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Rules for Remote Hearings (by Zoom and Phone)
219
th
Judicial District Court
Collin County, Texas
JUDGE JENNIFER EDGEWORTH
Court Staff
Court Coordinator: Amy Munger [email protected]
972-548-4662
Court Bailiff: Tim Patterson [email protected]
972-548-4403
Court Reporter: Tonya Lebo tlebo@co.collin.tx.us
972-548-4405
PROCEDURES FOR LITIGANTS
The 219
th
District Court can use Zoom conferencing for Remote Hearings when requested by the
parties. Zoom is free to download, and you and your witnesses will need to download Zoom at
ww.zoom.us, or you can download the app directly to your cell phone. The Court will email you a
link to the hearing, and will also provide a phone number if a self- represented litigant or witness
does not have internet access. Please make sure that you have also updated Zoom to the latest version
on the device you use for the hearing.
(1) To appear on camera for the Remote Hearing: You need (1) a computer with internet access
and a camera, (2) a laptop with internet access and a camera, or (3) a smartphone with a camera.
(2) To participate by phone for a Remote Hearing: If you only have a telephone, you can still
dial into the hearing and the parties can hear you but not see you at the hearing, and you can
hear those participating.
(3) To schedule a Remote Hearing:
Noon three business days before the hearing.
b. The Subject Line of the email should say: Zoom Hearing Request – [Insert Cause No.
of Case]
c. The request should copy opposing counsel (or self-represented parties), and include
emails of all parties and witnesses participating.
d. If any parties or witnesses are participating only by phone, you must include a cell
phone number for them.
e. The Court will be the host of the hearing, and will email all those participating a link
for the hearing and a phone number to call in.
f. If both parties do not agree to a hearing by Zoom, the hearing will be in-person, or the
party requesting the Zoom hearing will need to set a hearing on the objection, which
can be presented by submission.
g. If the parties want to conduct the hearing in-person, but have a witness appear by Zoom,
both parties must agree to the witness appearing by Zoom. If there is not an agreement,
the party that wants to present the witness by Zoom will need to set the objection for a
hearing with the Court, which can be set by submission.
Rules for Remote Hearings
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(4) Using Exhibits at the Remote Hearing:
a. If you intend to offer any exhibits during the Remote Hearing, please email them to all
parties, the court coordinator Amy Munger, [email protected]x.us and the court
reporter Tonya Lebo, [email protected].us before the hearing begins, preferably by
Noon the day before the hearing. This is so that the court and court reporter have access
to the exhibits during the hearing.
b. The subject line of the email should say: Zoom Hearing Exhibits of
(Plaintiff/Petitioner/State or Defendant/Respondent) – Cause No.
c. The documents must be in pdf format and pre-marked (or saved) by Exhibit No. For
example, save each exhibit as a separate pdf, and name each pdf as PEX1, PEX2, etc.
d. If you have voluminous exhibits, these exhibits may also be uploaded to the Court’s
Dropbox account and Amy Munger can provide you with the link.
e. Documents which have been e-filed and accepted into the Courts file do not need to be
re-sent to the Court’s email.
PROCEDURES FOR WITNESSES
(1) Witnesses should appear by video conferencing.
(2) If a witness does not have the capability for video conferencing and can only call in on the
phone, then the witness cannot testify regarding any exhibits.
(3) The attorney calling the witness is responsible for ensuring the witness has a separate video
and audio feed.
(4) Attorneys should not attempt to “share” a connection with a witness.
(5) All witnesses should be prepared to present a valid form of identification to verify their identity
to the Court over the video feed.
(6) It is the responsibility of the attorney offering the witness to ensure that the witness has the
link to the proceedings and that all exhibits are available to the witness, including those of
opposing parties.
FOR THE PUBLIC
THE OPEN COURTS PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS LAW ALLOWS ALL TEXANS ACCESS
TO COURT PROCEEDINGS. Remote hearings are live streamed in the courtroom of the 219th
District Court, Collin County, Texas. VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING IS PROHIBITED. The
public may view the proceeding while it is happening, but is prohibited from recording the
proceeding. Anyone who records the proceedings, other than the official court reporter, may be held
in contempt of Court.
NOTICE OF HEARING
The format below may be used for providing parties and witnesses with Notice of the
Remote Hearing and/or for a subpoena of a witness:
Rules for Remote Hearings
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Cause No.
PETITIONER/PLAINTIFF/STATE
V.
RESPONDENT/DEFENDANT
§
§
§
§
§
IN THE DISTRICT COURT
219
TH
JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS
NOTICE OF REMOTE HEARING
This matter is set for a remote hearing by Zoom on [fill in date] at : _ am/pm.
To appear via video conference on Zoom, you will need to have an electronic
device with an internet connection. You may use a smart phone, iPad/tablet, or
webcam/built in camera with sound and video. You will also need to install the
ZOOM APP before the conference begins at www.zoom.us
https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: - _ - _
To join the hearing via Zoom:
Please go to: https://txcourts.zoom.us/j/
Then type in the above referenced Meeting ID.
To join the hearing by Audio/Phone:
Dial any of these numbers. If dialing in Texas, you should use the Houston phone
number 1-346-248-7799. Then type in the above referenced Meeting ID.
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
