In today’s world it seems there’s nothing that hasn’t been affected by COVID-19. The way we live our lives from going to the grocery store, to children attending school, and even court hearings have altered in order to keep everyone safe and socially distant. If you’re being summoned to a hearing in Miami Dade county whether it’s part of an ongoing case or a traffic citation, you’ll have to option to attend the hearing safely from the comfort of your own home via online meeting platform, Zoom.
When you receive your summons will you notice that it gives you the option to attend in person at the courthouse or via a Zoom dial-in. It will give you the access code and the password, as well as the contact information for someone in that specific judge’s chambers in case you have an issue logging on.
Here are some tips for attending your Zoom court hearing:
Arrive on time – Just like attending a court hearing in person, there are specific calendar appointments and tightly scheduled cases. This means it’s imperative that you arrive on time so that no one is held back and everything runs smoothly. Be prepared to log on at least five to ten minutes before your scheduled time to make sure you have no connection issues.
Dress appropriately – You may be in the comfort of your own home, but that doesn’t mean you can skip getting dressed and looking presentable. How you present yourself says a lot in a courtroom, and the judge will call you out if you aren’t dressed appropriately.
Mute your microphone, but remain on camera – Similar to a regular hearing, there are several cases scheduled for the same time slot and the judge will call each one upon their turn. While you are waiting to be called, it’s important to keep your microphone on mute as to not disturb the other listeners. The bailiff and judge’s assistant are taking attendance notes. Making sure your name is correctly displayed and you are available on camera allows for this to be an easier process.
Be prepared to answer questions – Even though the setting is different, the process is still the same. When the judge calls for your case, be ready with all necessary materials and paperwork needed to answer the questions that the judge may have for you pertaining to your case. If you have retained an attorney, they will also be present via Zoom from their location and can handle answering on your behalf.
If you or someone you know are being charged with a crime in Miami Dade county, having dedicated representation in the form of an experienced criminal defense attorney can make a huge impact on the outcome of your case. Call Russell Spatz today at 305-442-0200 to schedule a consultation to see if he’s the right fit for you. With over four decades of experience, Russell has seen and handled it all.