Zoom in the Courtroom

By Holly Huffstutler

The use of Zoom in our courtrooms has been far from smooth sailing, based on what we saw on June 18 at the McHenry County Government Center.

“I wish the Supreme Court were in here to see what we’re dealing with because they said we could do Zoom court!” bemoaned the frustrated Justice Mark R. Facchini.

He’d had to cut off one Zoom plaintiff’s “Im here…can you hear me now?...How about now?” entreaties that repeatedly interrupted another case.

The court also had to take a short recess while the IT department fixed a connectivity issue that led to the judge calling four consecutive names with no response. 

The court clerk spoke up for one person who was about to be marked as a no-show and face conviction, pointing out that he was on her zoom list and had been in the so-called ‘Zoom waiting room’ 

That waiting room is often the source of frustration for those on the other side of the bench.

The circuit court clerk fields complaints from people worried that they’ve missed their name being called due to the long wait and, again, connectivity issues. 

Despite the slight hold-up, all those waiting remotely that Thursday had their cases quickly resolved. Only Facchini could see their video feeds, however. 

Zoom is not typically being used at every level of the court, it must be stressed. 

According to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2023, “It is not possible to appear remotely for every kind of case or court date.” 

Many exceptions are up to the judge’s discretion based on the case or the previous decorum of the people involved.

In general, however, remote appearances are “...not automatically allowed…” for evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, bench trials or jury trials. 

Technical hiccups aside, one can see the appeal of opting for Zoom in the tedious early stages of the legal process. 

When all that is required from a court appearance is showing an insurance card or saying ‘Yes, I agree to that’ making your way to the courthouse may seem not worth the strain.

This is especially true in cases where mobility, financial constraints make it difficult to get to the Woodstock courthouse, not to mention the type of widespread illness that prompted these accommodations in the first place. 

Those choosing this route can go to mchenrycircuitcourt.org on their court date. The Remote Appearances Options page has a Remote Court Check-In button leading to that day’s registration.