The Open Courts Provision of the Texas Constitution requires that all courts maintain public access. In most cases, the public is allowed in the courtroom during proceedings. In some cases, courts may elect to have remote hearings or hybrid (where some participants are in the courtroom and some participants are remote).
To facilitate remote and hybrid hearings, the Office of Court Administration is providing Judges the ability to stream and host court proceedings via Zoom and YouTube. Only State of Texas Judges are eligible for access to the OCA provided Zoom accounts. To request access or inquire about a previous request please contact: zoomhelp@txcourts.gov
Please Note:
Section 21.014 of the Government Code states that a court may not allow the electronic transmission or broadcasting of court proceedings related to:
A criminal or civil court proceedings relating to an offense under:
Section 21.02, 21.11, 21.15, 22.011, 22.012, or 22.021, Penal Code;
Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), Penal Code; or
Section 20A.03, Penal Code, if the offense is based partly or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense
under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), Penal Code; and
Court proceedings relating to:
a protective order under Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal Procedure;
a magistrate's order for emergency protection issued under Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure;
a protective order issued under Section 6.504, Family Code; or
a protective order issued under Chapter 85, Family Code
and where evidence or testimony is offered that depicts or describes acts of a sexual nature unless the court provides notice to and receives express consent for the transmission or broadcasting from:
the victim or the parent, conservator, or guardian of the victim, as applicable;
the attorney representing the state; and
the defendant.
In order for Judges to use Zoom, the initial setup must be completed.
Zoom initial setup and use
YouTube Channel setup / Watermark "DO NOT RECORD"
The Office of Court Administration advises users new to Zoom to explore these resources before getting started with Zoom.
How to Go Live! on YouTube
Using Virtual Backgrounds / Judicial Background
Best Practices for Self-Represented Litigants
Appendix A - Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
Appendix B - Language Access and Remote Interpretation
Appendix C - How to Use Simultaneous Interpretation in Zoom Proceedings
Background and Legal Standards - Public Right to Access to Remote Hearings During COVID-19 Pandemic
Live Stream Benchcard
Dress in a soft solid color (like a black robe for judges). If a tie is worn, use a solid tie rather than one with a pattern.
When speaking, remember to look directly at the webcam, not at the screen.
Position the camera at your eye level or slightly above eye level.
Be mindful of what is behind you, choose a solid neutral wall if possible.
Check the lighting. Light from a window behind you might blind the camera, making you look dark. Light above you in the center of a room might also cast shadows. Ideally, position a lamp, or sit facing a window, where light is directly on your face. Also be aware that your monitor casts light that can make you look blue.
Remind the participants to speak one at a time and to pause prior to speaking in case there is any audio/video lag.
Encourage the participants to mute themselves or mute them yourself when not speaking in order to avoid any potential background noise.
Only email the link to the hearing to those participating in the hearing, encourage the public to view the hearings on the court's YouTube channel. Consider using a password for the hearings.
Test your connection and setup with Zoom by testing your connection with a test meeting.
How long does it take from the time we use the Survey Monkey for until our account is provisioned?
I already have a Zoom account with my personal email address. Will this new account be linked to it?
Who exactly is eligible for a host license?
Is the meeting time unlimited instead of the 40-minute limit of the Basic free app?
What’s the maximum number of participants I can host in a hearing?
Does each participant require a license? Or just the host?
Does OCA anticipate continuing these licenses after the pandemic is over?
If I still need help, where do I ask my questions?
What platforms does Zoom support?
Can each participant use a virtual background?
Is it best to schedule each individual hearing? Or have a docket in one Zoom meeting?
Who is the best host for the meeting? Is the host the only one that can admit people and setup breakout rooms, and otherwise operate the Zoom hearing?
Can there be multiple breakout rooms?
While someone is in the breakout room, can they see/hear the proceedings in the main meeting?
How can we capture signatures on documents through Zoom? This could be for magistration or for sending in court orders.
How do we swear in witnesses? Do they need a notary present?
How can a court coordinator or court administrator gain access to schedule hearings for a Judge?
Since we can record the proceedings with Zoom, can this serve as the court's official record?
How are exhibits shown through Zoom? How does a court reporter get a copy of them for the record?
If a defendant is given notice of a Zoom hearing and fails to show up, can a FTA be issued?
Can this be used with magistration?
How do I setup a YouTube channel?
If I already have a personal YouTube channel, can I use that one to stream?
Am I required to post my YouTube channel on the website or some other place in order for the public to see where they can access the courtroom?
Why not just give the public the link to the Zoom meeting I setup?
Does streaming hearings to YouTube satisfy the open court provisions?
YouTube records the live stream to my channel. Do I have to keep it on there? Or can I delete it immediately?
If I create a YouTube channel for the court, who owns the channel? The court? The county? The Judge?
Can’t people record the YouTube live stream with their phone?
Is YouTube the only option for streaming?