Remote Appearances

Remote Appearances are available via Zoom.

Overview

In September 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 241. That legislation, which takes effect January 1, 2022, creates a new statutory framework for remote appearances in all non-criminal matters. In order to comply with the provisions of Senate Bill 241, the Court adopted a number ofnew and amended Local Rules, which set forth the processes for, and parameters under which, remote proceedings will be conducted, and which also address options for appearing in person. Additional information about remote appearances is set forth below, and the Court will periodically update this page as needed.

Availability of Remote Proceedings

All of the Court’s non-criminal departments have the ability to conduct proceedings that are entirely remote, i.e., where no parties are physically present in the courtroom. Some—but not all—departments for each non-criminal case type (e.g., Civil Direct, Probate, Family) also have the ability to conduct “hybrid” proceedings, i.e., proceedings in which one or more parties are remote while one or more parties are present in person in the courtroom. A list of which departments currently have the ability to hold such “hybrid” hearings can be found here.

How to Request Remote Proceedings for Civil Harassment and Small Claims

STEP 1: FIVE (5) COURT DAYS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED HEARING DATE:

You must send an email to the department at the correct email address listed below setting forth your request for you or a witness to appear remotely and the good cause explanation for each request.
The email subject line must include your case number, case name, party position (Petitioner or Respondent - Civil Harassment; Plaintiff or Defendant - Small Claims), and scheduled hearing date and time.
Send the email to: Dept105@alameda.courts.ca.gov OR Dept519@alameda.courts.ca.gov.

STEP 2: YOUR EMAIL MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Your good cause explanation.
A daytime contact telephone number, should the court clerk need to make direct contact with the requesting party
Any information about language assistance that may be needed.

NOTE: Requests for disability accommodation must be requested separately via the MC-410 form and sent to the ADA Division and the Department scheduled to hear the matter.

STEP 3: REVIEW

The remote appearance request will be reviewed by the assigned judicial officer for the determination of good cause:

You will receive the Court’s order to grant or deny the request via an email that will be sent to the email address that generated the remote appearance request.
Late requests (requests made less than five court days before the hearing date) will be considered for Respondents or Defendants who were served with less than five days’ notice or for other emergent situations.

Small Claims and Civil Restraining Orders ZoomGov Instructions (English and Spanish)

Remote Appearance Etiquette

Please respect all participants as if you were appearing in court in person.
Be conscious of what is in your background, as it can be distracting to others.
Remote appearances are prohibited from being recorded or broadcast except in compliance with California Rule of Court 1.150.

Required Platforms for Remote Proceedings

The Court will conduct remote proceedings using either BlueJeans or Zoomgov.