By: Melissa L. Exline, Esq.
In Nevada, many Courts are continuing operations using “audio/visual” equipment. In Washoe County, this has included programs such as Zoom. The Judge, Court Clerk, along with a court reporter are present to run the Court. This has been a learning process for all involved. Having participated in Court this way for the past month, here is a top 5 tip list for a person appearing in family court in Washoe County:
- Dress as if you are going to Court. You still want to look like a nice, respectable person. First impressions cannot be re-made – so start out on the right foot.
- Practice with your equipment at home and feel free to ask if your lawyer has done this too. You do not want to be figuring this out with the pressure of court looming.
- Let your attorney be your guide. He or she still knows the players involved better than you do, and Court etiquette still applies. It can be hard to figure out when to speak up, so it is good to have a plan with your lawyer on how you want to be heard if everyone is talking.
- Have a plan on how to talk to your lawyer. Either use the chat features on the application (practice this in advance), or have a plan to email/text/be on the phone with your lawyer while all the other stuff is going on so you can make a private point with your lawyer (when this is permissible) with your attorney.
- Manage your expectations on what you can get out of court. This applies for video court or not – but the point is important. There is only so much time and your lawyer will know which points to make and in what order. Not everything gets done the way you want it to be, but getting some things done in a tumultuous time is going to have to suffice for now.
While not part of the list above, you should always follow the court rules and be organized. Getting as much done in advance so you and your lawyer are not forced to work at the last minute on updating documents and disclosures is very important. Court is still happening, but on a more limited scale or taking place in a different way. Divorces, adoptions, and child support matters are still progressing through the justice system.