Remote Appearance Options

In order to facilitate court activities the judges of the 22nd Judicial Circuit may host court proceedings in a virtual court room via Zoom or other platform.  Zoom is a video communications platform for video and audio conferencing.

Always mute your microphone, rename yourself  to your legal name, and wait until called upon by the Judge when appearing remotely.

Remote Options by Courtroom (assignments Effective 04-15-2024)

Remote appearances are available to obtain any type of protective order. Call Turning Point at (815) 338-8081 to arrange a time for a remote appearance before a judge. Use the Zoom court appearance link below at the time Turning Point directs you to appear.  
Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.10 – Remote Processdings in Order of Protection Cases

  1. Order of Protection cases include cases involving orders of protection, stalking no contact orders, and civil no contact orders.
  2. Remote appearances are automatically allowed in these cases. Parties and witnesses may appear remotely without further notice or motion for hearings for orders of protection, stalking no contact orders and civil no contact orders. This allowance is pursuant to Rule 45 as well as Administrative Order 2020-17 and III. Public Act 102-0583

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.
  When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.
    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom per Local Court Rule 22, see below.

Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.09 – Remote Proceedings in Juvenile Cases

  1. Juvenile Cases include the following kinds of cases: Juvenile Delinquent (JD), Juvenile Abuse and Neglect (JA), and Juvenile (JV).
  2. Remote appearances are automatically allowed in these cases. Parties and witnesses may appear remotely without further notice or motion for hearings for orders of protection, stalking no contact orders and civil no contact orders. This allowance is pursuant to Rule 45 as well as Administrative Order 2020-17 and III. Public Act 102-0583
  3. In Juvenile Delinquency matters, respondents must appear in person at all proceedings, unless waived in advance by the Court or Court Services Personnel.
  4. In Juvenile Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Matters, respondents are allowed to appear remotely on all court dates except for the following proceedings:
    1. Initial court appearance
    2. Evidentiary hearings
    3. Adjudication hearings
    4. Permanency hearings
    5. Disposition hearings
    6. Termination of parental right hearings

If you want to appear remotely for one of these proceeding, you must first obtain an order from the judge presiding over the case allowing a remote appearance.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Traffic Court Tips

Remote appearances is an option for all matters, except trials. Remote court opens at 8:30am and 1:30pm daily. Must appear in person for trials at 10am and 3pm. Click on the Traffic Court Tips link for instructional videos on what to expect in Traffic Court and how to appear remotely.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum


Local Court Rule 22
  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

 

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.06 – Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases


Local Court Rule 22
  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined
  3. Status hearings
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ‘s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas
  2. Evidentiary hearings
  3. Sentencing hearings
  4. Probation revocation hearings
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.)
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:
    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable)
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.
  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Jury trials
  5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

  1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
  2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
  3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.
    When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.
    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.07 – Remote Proceedings in Civil Cases

  1. Civil cases include the following cases: Probate (PR), Guardianship (GR), Small Claims (SC); Evictions (EV), Tax (TX), Foreclosures (FC), Eminent Domain (ED), Arbitration (AR), Law (LA), Law Magistrate (LM), Government Corporations (GC), Miscellaneous Remedy (MR), Chancery (CH), Mental Health (MH).
  2. Due to the wide variety of civil cases, all parties should first refer to the Standing Order of the judge presiding over the case, with is available on the 22nd Judicial Circuit website, to determine the judge’s policy regarding remote appearances. Any provisions in the Standing Order take precedence over the provisions of Subsection C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed for the following court dates:
    1. Hearings where evidence will be presented
    2. Settlement conferences
    3. Bench trials
    4. Jury trials

If you want to appear remotely for one of these proceedings, you must first obtain an order from the judge presiding over the case allowing a remote appearance.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.07 – Remote Proceedings in Civil Cases

  1. Civil cases include the following cases: Probate (PR), Guardianship (GR), Small Claims (SC); Evictions (EV), Tax (TX), Foreclosures (FC), Eminent Domain (ED), Arbitration (AR), Law (LA), Law Magistrate (LM), Government Corporations (GC), Miscellaneous Remedy (MR), Chancery (CH), Mental Health (MH).
  2. Due to the wide variety of civil cases, all parties should first refer to the Standing Order of the judge presiding over the case, with is available on the 22nd Judicial Circuit website, to determine the judge’s policy regarding remote appearances. Any provisions in the Standing Order take precedence over the provisions of Subsection C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed for the following court dates:
    1. Hearings where evidence will be presented
    2. Settlement conferences
    3. Bench trials
    4. Jury trials

If you want to appear remotely for one of these proceedings, you must first obtain an order from the judge presiding over the case allowing a remote appearance.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

LOCAL RULE 22.11 – REMOTE PROCEEDINGS IN PROBLEM-SOLVING COURT CASES

  1. Problem Solving Court cases include the following kind of cases: Any cases assigned to the circuit’s Drug Court, Mental Health Court or DUI Court.
  2. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed in these cases

Requiring in-person court appearances are beneficial in these cases for several reasons, including the court’s ability to immediately respond to a defendant/participant in crisis requiring treatment or hospitalization, the Court’s ability to have a defendant/participant immediately submit to a drug/alcohol screen if he/she appears to be under the influence of an intoxicant, and the overall support and socialization that defendants/participants provide to each other that can only be experienced in person.

If you want to appear remotely for one of these proceedings, you must first obtain an order from the judge presiding over the case allowing a remote appearance.

Local Rule 22.06 – Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases

  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined
  3. Status hearings
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ‘s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas
  2. Evidentiary hearings
  3. Sentencing hearings
  4. Probation revocation hearings
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.)
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:
    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable)
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.
  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Jury trials
  5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.07 – Remote Proceedings in Civil Cases

  1. Civil cases include the following cases: Probate (PR), Guardianship (GR), Small Claims (SC); Evictions (EV), Tax (TX), Foreclosures (FC), Eminent Domain (ED), Arbitration (AR), Law (LA), Law Magistrate (LM), Government Corporations (GC), Miscellaneous Remedy (MR), Chancery (CH), Mental Health (MH).
  2. Due to the wide variety of civil cases, all parties should first refer to the Standing Order of the judge presiding over the case, with is available on the 22nd Judicial Circuit website, to determine the judge’s policy regarding remote appearances. Any provisions in the Standing Order take precedence over the provisions of Subsection C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed for the following court dates:
    1. Hearings where evidence will be presented
    2. Settlement conferences
    3. Bench trials
    4. Jury trials

If you want to appear remotely for one of these proceedings, you must first obtain an order from the judge presiding over the case allowing a remote appearance.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.06 – Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases

  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined
  3. Status hearings
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ‘s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas
  2. Evidentiary hearings
  3. Sentencing hearings
  4. Probation revocation hearings
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.)
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:
    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable)
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.
  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Jury trials
  5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.06 – Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases

  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined
  3. Status hearings
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ‘s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas
  2. Evidentiary hearings
  3. Sentencing hearings
  4. Probation revocation hearings
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.)
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:
    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable)
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.
  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Jury trials
  5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.06 – Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases

  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined
  3. Status hearings
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ‘s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas
  2. Evidentiary hearings
  3. Sentencing hearings
  4. Probation revocation hearings
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.)
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:
    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable)
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.
  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Jury trials
  5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.06 – Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases

  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined
  3. Status hearings
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ‘s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas
  2. Evidentiary hearings
  3. Sentencing hearings
  4. Probation revocation hearings
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.)
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:
    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable)
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.
  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Jury trials
  5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.07 – Remote Proceedings in Civil Cases

  1. Civil cases include the following cases: Probate (PR), Guardianship (GR), Small Claims (SC); Evictions (EV), Tax (TX), Foreclosures (FC), Eminent Domain (ED), Arbitration (AR), Law (LA), Law Magistrate (LM), Government Corporations (GC), Miscellaneous Remedy (MR), Chancery (CH), Mental Health (MH).
  2. Due to the wide variety of civil cases, all parties should first refer to the Standing Order of the judge presiding over the case, with is available on the 22nd Judicial Circuit website, to determine the judge’s policy regarding remote appearances. Any provisions in the Standing Order take precedence over the provisions of Subsection C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed for the following court dates:
    1. Hearings where evidence will be presented
    2. Settlement conferences
    3. Bench trials
    4. Jury trials

If you want to appear remotely for one of these proceedings, you must first obtain an order from the judge presiding over the case allowing a remote appearance.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.08 – Remote Proceedings in Family Cases

  1. Family cases include the following kinds of cases: Adoption (AD), Dissolution with Children (DC), Dissolution without Children (DN), and Family (FA).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion on all court dates for family cases except for proceedings listed in Section C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed in the following kind of proceedings:
    1. Evidentiary hearings
    2. Non-evidentiary hearings
    3. Pre-trial settlement conferences
    4. Bench trials
    5. Presentment of any emergency or ex-parte motion, other than orders of protections, stalking no contact orders, and civil no contact orders.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.08 – Remote Proceedings in Family Cases

  1. Family cases include the following kinds of cases: Adoption (AD), Dissolution with Children (DC), Dissolution without Children (DN), and Family (FA).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion on all court dates for family cases except for proceedings listed in Section C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed in the following kind of proceedings:
    1. Evidentiary hearings
    2. Non-evidentiary hearings
    3. Pre-trial settlement conferences
    4. Bench trials
    5. Presentment of any emergency or ex-parte motion, other than orders of protections, stalking no contact orders, and civil no contact orders.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.08 – Remote Proceedings in Family Cases

  1. Family cases include the following kinds of cases: Adoption (AD), Dissolution with Children (DC), Dissolution without Children (DN), and Family (FA).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion on all court dates for family cases except for proceedings listed in Section C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed in the following kind of proceedings:
    1. Evidentiary hearings
    2. Non-evidentiary hearings
    3. Pre-trial settlement conferences
    4. Bench trials
    5. Presentment of any emergency or ex-parte motion, other than orders of protections, stalking no contact orders, and civil no contact orders.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

 

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.08 – Remote Proceedings in Family Cases

  1. Family cases include the following kinds of cases: Adoption (AD), Dissolution with Children (DC), Dissolution without Children (DN), and Family (FA).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion on all court dates for family cases except for proceedings listed in Section C, below.
  3. Remote appearances are not automatically allowed in the following kind of proceedings:
    1. Evidentiary hearings
    2. Non-evidentiary hearings
    3. Pre-trial settlement conferences
    4. Bench trials
    5. Presentment of any emergency or ex-parte motion, other than orders of protections, stalking no contact orders, and civil no contact orders.

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.12 – Standards of Decorum

    1. A remote court appearance is still a court appearance, and you must act the same way you would if you were appearing in person in the courtroom. All the same rules regarding demeanor, language, dress, civility, and respect apply to all remote court dates and to all case participants, including the judge presiding over the case, clerks, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and witnesses.
    2. The judge presiding in each courtroom will exercise judgment in fashioning a response to any inappropriate behavior. The Court may consider simply reminding participants to conform their conduct to expectations, discontinue the remote appearance, and/or require participants to appear in person for future court appearances. Depending on the circumstances, findings of contempt and related rulings may be appropriate.
    3. The Court has developed additional standards for decorum during remote appearances. These standards reflect input from judges, clerks, court staff, and attorneys.

When appearing remotely, please comport with the following standards.

    1. Courtroom Attire. Everyone participating in the remote courtroom appearance should dress as if appearing in the physical courtroom.
    2. Camera Should Be On. Each Zoom participant should activate their camera when their case is being heard. The cameral should be positioned so that the participant remains in the camera’s view and the frame remains steady throughout the appearance. The Zoom participant should look into the camera when speaking.
    3. Identification. Use your full name. Participants should provide the case number and/or line number for the case.
    4. Prepare. Prepare before the remote appearance to be sure it is understood how to connect to the remote courtroom.
    5. Practice. Practice how to connect to audio.
    6. Documents Ready. Counsel and/or parties should have relevant documentation prepared and ready to present when their case is called. Consider ahead of time how the documents will be presented to the Court or other participants.
    7. Communication. Discussion about the case and future availability should occur prior to the appearance.
    8. Sound Carries. Please do not converse with others during the court appearance who are either on or off cameral. Provide your attention to the Court. Remain muted until your matter is called.
    9. Inappropriate “venue.” Driving while streaming a court appearance likely constitutes a violation of the law and should not occur.
    10. Avoid Overly Casual. This is a formal proceeding, and you must conduct yourself accordingly. If you could not or would not act a certain way in a courtroom, do not act that way during a remote appearance. There should be no eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
    11. Avoid untimely/uncoordinated appearance. Please be on time and coordinate with others on the same side for the remote proceeding.

Remote appearances available for some matters using Zoom


Local Court Rule 22

Local Rule 22.06 – Remote Proceedings in Criminal Cases


Local Court Rule 22
  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases: Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission. The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined
  3. Status hearings
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ‘s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas
  2. Evidentiary hearings
  3. Sentencing hearings
  4. Probation revocation hearings
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.)
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:
    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable)
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.
  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

  1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings)
  2. Settlement conferences
  3. Bench trials
  4. Jury trials
  5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Remote appearance is available for attorneys.

LOCAL RULE 22.06 – REMOTE PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES


Local Court Rule 22
  1. For purposes of this rule, “Criminal Cases” shall mean the following types of cases:  Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Misdemeanor (CM), Conservation (CV), Driving Under the Influence (DT), Domestic Violence (DV), Major Traffic (MT), Ordinance (OV), Quasi-Criminal (QC), Minor Traffic (TR), and Contempt of Court (Criminal) (CC).
  2. Remote appearances are allowed without further notice or motion in certain proceedings. In other proceedings, remote appearances are allowed if the Court first gives permission.  The possibility of a remote appearance often depends upon whether the matter involves the possibility of jail or prison time and the type of proceeding.  Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 shall control and will be followed for all criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

Criminal Matters That Involve the possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval for the following proceeding types:

  1. Initial appearances;
  2. In Juvenile Delinquency Matters, initial or subsequent appearances at which continued detention of a minor will be determined;
  3. Status hearings;
  4. Waiver of a preliminary hearing;
  5. Arraignments on an information or indictment at which a plea of not guilty will be entered;
  6. Presentation of a jury waiver;
  7. Non-evidentiary hearings; and
  8. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act (725 ILCS 207/1 et seq.) at which no witness testimony will be taken.

Case participants shall be permitted to attend the following proceeding types via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology only with the approval of the judge presiding over the matter. In addition, before the defendant may attend the following proceedings remotely, the court must have accepted the defendant’s ’s waiver of an in-person appearance:

  1. Negotiated pleas;
  2. Evidentiary hearings;
  3. Sentencing hearings;
  4. Probation revocation hearings;
  5. Arraignments or other proceedings or appearances at which a plea of guilty will be entered;
  6. Hearings conducted under the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq.);
  7. Bench trials or stipulated bench trials; and (viii) Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.

Waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings.

  1. In proceedings where a waiver of a defendant’s in-person appearance is required for a remote appearance, the decision whether to waive an in-person appearance shall belong to the defendant and not to defense counsel.
  2. Whether the waiver of defendant’s in-person appearance at court proceedings is made orally, in writing, in person, or remotely is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter. However, when made orally in person or remotely, the waiver must be stated on the record.
  3. Before a waiver of the defendant’s in-person appearance is accepted by the judge presiding over the matter, it shall be the judge’s responsibility to ensure that the defendant’s waiver is knowing and voluntary and has been discussed with counsel prior to the hearing. The judge presiding over the matter shall ensure that the record is clear that the defendant understands:

    1. That the defendant has a right to be physically present in the courtroom for the proceeding;
    2. That remote appearance means the defendant, the court, or other case participants will participate via telephone, video conference, or other electronic means;
    3. That in matters open to the public, any remote appearance may be viewable by the public over the Internet or other method of streaming or broadcasting (if applicable);
    4. That a remote proceeding may result in the defendant and his or her counsel not being physically present together during the proceeding;
    5. That the legal effect of the remote proceeding will be the same as an in-person proceeding; and
    6. That the defendant has discussed the waiver with counsel.

  4. If the judge presiding over the matter finds the waiver to be knowing and voluntary, the prosecution shall be given an opportunity to object and state the grounds for that objection for the record. The decision to accept a waiver of in-person appearance at court proceedings is exclusively within the discretion of the judge presiding over the matter, and the judge shall put the reasons for that ruling on the record.
  5. A waiver of in-person appearance can be revoked at any time.

    Criminal Matters That Do Not Involve the Possibility of Jail or Prison Time (SCR 45)

    Case participants shall be permitted to attend court via the circuit court’s available remote appearance technology without any advance approval, except for the following proceeding types, which shall require the approval of the judge presiding over the matter:

    1. Evidentiary hearings, except for ex parte evidentiary hearings (such as emergency orders of protection hearings);
    2. Settlement conferences;
    3. Bench trials;
    4. Jury trials; and
    5. Any case type or proceeding type exempted from remote participation in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(7) of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45.


Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

CRIMINAL WAIVER FORMS

Waiver of In-Person Proceeding and Consent for Remote Appearance 

Order Granting Request for Remote Proceeding

Order Denying Request for Remote Proceeding

REMOTE COURT APPEARANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Follow the steps listed below to prepare for a remote court appearance. Start this process BEFORE your scheduled court appearance time to make sure you are in the virtual “waiting room” by the time court begins.

  1.  If you already have a Zoom account go directly to the above links to join the courtroom “meeting.”
  2. If you do not have a Zoom account you can download the free Zoom app to your cell phone by going to the App Store and searching for Zoom. Or create a new account by going to Zoom.us. Click the SIGN UP, IT’S FREE button and follow the instructions to sign up for a free Zoom account.
  3. Once Zoom opens, select the JOIN button on your cell phone, or the JOIN A MEETING link on your computer. Be sure the Zoom screen name being displayed is your legal name so you are recognized by the Court.
  4. A message box will appear asking for a Meeting ID or Personal Link Name. The Meeting ID is specific to the courtroom (see below). No password is required. Click the JOIN button.
  5. Screen should now show your face and you must select JOIN WITH VIDEO. You may also need to select JOIN WITH COMPUTER AUDIO, or if using a cell phone select CALL USING INTERNET AUDIO.
  6. Once the host starts the “meeting,” participants will initially be placed in a virtual “waiting room” pending admittance into the virtual “courtroom” by the Court.
  7. Be sure your screen name being displayed in the “waiting room” is your legal name.
  8. Once you are admitted to the “courtroom” your audio will be muted until the judge calls your case. When your case is called, your audio will be unmuted by the Court.

REMOTE COURT APPEARANCE TIPS

  • Dress appropriately, as if you were coming to the Courthouse
  • Make sure you are in a QUIET location
  • Make sure your background is court appropriate

Quick Links

Courtroom Standing Orders

Guidelines for Virtual Courtroom Proceedings 

Local Court Rule 22

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45

Zoom from your phone (English)

Zoom from your phone (Spanish)

Click here for guidelines to appropriate virtual courtroom behavior.