In some situations, a party will be permitted to participate in a hearing by telephone rather than by personally appearing in court.
Criteria to participate by phone:
1. the person lives out of state, or
2. the person lives over a 2-hour drive from the courthouse, or
3. the person has a medical condition preventing travel, or
4. the person is incarcerated and unable to be present or
5. Any other reason that the court finds as good cause.
If you do not meet the above criteria, you must file a motion and proposed order to participate by phone. This motion can be presented ex parte or scheduled on the Judicial Officer’s calendar. If your motion is approved, please contact Court Administration after to make arrangements to appear by phone.
Counsel are expected to be present for court hearings. If counsel is requesting to appear by phone, you must file a motion and proposed order to participate by phone which can be presented ex parte or scheduled on the Judicial Officer’s calendar. If your motion is approved, please contact Court Administration after to make arrangements to appear by phone.
Unless the Court signs an order that expressly authorizes telephonic participation for more than one hearing, you must seek approval for each hearing.
You will need to make arrangements to appear by telephone for every hearing scheduled by calling Court Administration. You should always make the arrangements to appear by telephone as soon as you know you have a hearing scheduled.
Court Administration can only schedule three (3) telephonic hearings per calendar. Those participating by telephone do not receive priority, so it will sometimes be necessary to wait by the telephone for the entire calendar– just as though you were in the courtroom waiting for the case to be called.
Participation by telephone in trial may require agreement of the other party as well as permission of the Judge. A motion to participate by phone should be filed and a hearing scheduled on the Judge's motion calendar for approval. Once an order is signed, the party must call Court Administration to make arrangements. The party will be required to call (360) 709-3295 at the time of trial.
Participation by telephone in a hearing
A person asking to participate by telephone should contact Court Administration. He or she will need to provide a number where the Clerk can call when the court is ready to hear the case. The preferred method of calling is on a land line number. If a land line is not available the cellular phone must comply with the following:
A. there must be good reception during the entire call;
B. there must be no background noise during the call; and
C. there must be no ring-back tones.
The number to call to request or arrange for telephone participation is 360-709-3295.