How would you dress for your day in a courtroom where you sit before the judge and the opposing party? You would wear a clean, pressed suit in good condition to show your best self, and your grooming would be at the top of your game. You would sit up straight and keep your eyes on the action.

And that’s exactly what you’re going to do on the day of your virtual court proceeding on Zoom.

Before your online court proceeding, make sure to complete the “homework” below:

1. Double-check the time of your proceeding the day before.
2. The night before your virtual court proceeding, set alarms on more than one device for your wake-up call and for your Zoom prep time.
3. Use every opportunity you can to win your case. Consider setting yourself up in a room that is clearly kid-friendly: show that you have dedicated time and effort to prioritizing space in your home for your child.
4. Your last Zoom background will appear as your default background for virtual court. Before your big day, log into Zoom, check your background, select an appropriate one, and then log out.
5. After ensuring that your physical environment for your Zoom is clean, organized, quiet and controlled for noise and interruption, seat yourself in a comfortable but attentive position where the camera can broadcast you clearly in good lighting.
6. Test that your chair will allow you to be seated comfortably continuously for at least an hour, but plan on more time.
7. If you cannot escape a messy environment that adds too much “visual noise” to your broadcast, use a Zoom background to obscure the problem. Practice using a Zoom background with a friend to ensure your tech competence on the day of the online hearing.
8. Understand what a filter is and how to remove it, if you (or your children beforehand) accidentally add(ed) it. We want the judge to know that you “are not a cat”.
9. No eating. Make sure you, the cat, the dog and the kids are fed ahead of time.
10. No smoking, vaping, etc. even if you are leaning off-camera to do so. Smoke before the virtual hearing. Be fully present for every minute you’re on camera.
11. Having a glass of water nearby is fine, but there should be no other unnecessary drinking, especially from anything that has a logo on it or is in a bottle.
12. Wear a clean, pressed suit and tie in good condition that fits well and is comfortable for you. This is not optional.
13. YOU MUST WEAR PANTS. This is also not optional. You may need to stand for any number of reasons, and now is not the type to repeat the error that has embarrassed plenty of people during the pandemic. Fuzzy bunny slippers are optional.
14. Solid colors for your suit and tie offer less distraction in Zoom hearings than patterns, but if you do not have solid items, focus on looking professional and neat.
15. Don’t allow or engage interruptions by your children or other people. Children cannot be involved in these proceedings, and your job is to ensure proper childcare to remove them completely from your Zoom room. Likewise, don’t chat with anyone else on the phone by text or in person during your hearing, even if you mute the microphone. Keep one focus only.

This blog post is part of the DADvocacy™ Law Firm’s series on winning your Zoom hearing. Enhance your Zoom skill set through visiting our other posts:

• Part One on evaluating your environment for distractions,
• Part Two on learning Zoom-related technology,
• Part Four for tips to avoid derailing your hearing, and
• Part Five for what to practice with a friend ahead of your Zoom hearing.

The DADvocacy™ Law Firm reminds you that ADA accommodations are available for virtual court proceedings. Please ask your attorney and/or your jurisdiction for details in advance of your hearing date so that accommodations can be properly made.

Warning: All posts on this website contain general information about legal matters for broad educational purposes only. The information is not legal advice, and should not be treated as such. This blog post does not create any attorney-client relationship between the reader and the DADvocacy™ Law Firm.