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Reminder to Practitioners Regarding Telephonic Hearings

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Both Judge Perkins and Judge Gorman use an open conference call line for telephonic hearings. That means that, once a conference call starts, every sound on the line is amplified throughout the courtroom and recorded. This includes background noises from street traffic, passersby, dogs barking, children crying, music, email and other notifications on other telephones or electronic devices, and countless other sounds. To limit the amount of background noise interfering with the conference call, attorneys must participate in the call from a private and quiet location. Attorneys should also mute their own phone line until their case is called. Attorneys SHOULD NOT place the call on hold after joining; placing a call on hold can result in music, automated messages, ring backs, or other noises that will interfere with the proceedings. Telephonic hearings have the same weight and import as in-person hearings. Attorneys are expected to conduct themselves in the same manner that would be appropriate if they were in the courtroom. Participation in telephonic hearings is a privilege, not a right, and it takes a collective effort to ensure that a clear record is made. Attorneys unable to abide by these standards may be dropped from the conference call line.