PROCEDURES REGARDING TELEPHONIC APPEARANCES FOR THE HONORABLE MARK D. HOULE
Revised 03/14/24

Effective March 18, 2024

Telephonic appearances are allowed in matters before Judge Mark D. Houle in Courtroom 301, except the following:

1. Trials and evidentiary hearings (all counsel and all witnesses must appear in person).  
2. Chapter 11 initial status conferences and confirmation hearings (debtor’s counsel must appear in person; other parties in interest may appear telephonically).
3. Adversary proceeding pretrial conferences (all trial counsel must appear in person).

Any other matter designated by the court as requiring a personal appearance. 

In order to appear telephonically counsel must adhere to the following procedure:

TELEPHONIC PROCEDURES FOR HEARINGS ON OR AFTER MARCH 18, 2024

HOW TO ARRANGE A TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE
Individuals should arrange telephonic appearances by emailing chambers at Chambers_MHoule@cacb.uscourts.gov, no later than 12:00 noon the day prior to the hearing. Failure to register before the deadline adversely impacts the Courtroom Deputy and the court’s ability to conduct hearings. Repeated violation of this rule may result in sanctions.

The subject line of the email should be “Registration – Telephonic Appearance” and the email should contain:

1. Appearing counsel’s full name, phone number, client’s full name, and client’s relationship to the case (i.e. debtor, movant, secured creditor, plaintiff, etc.). (If a party is not represented by counsel, include your full name, phone number, and relationship to the case).
2. Hearing date, time, and calendar number (which can be found on the tentative ruling/posted calendar on the court’s website).
3. Debtor’s name and case number and, if applicable, adversary case name and number.

The email should be sent from an email address that is monitored because the court may have questions or directions regarding the appearance. The court will not confirm the registration by email or telephone. Counsel’s name and telephone number will instead be listed on the tentative ruling page, which will be updated periodically. Please only contact the court regarding a registration if it is not listed on the tentative ruling page after the deadline to register.

PROCEDURE FOR TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE

Join the hearing 10 minutes before the hearing time.

Procedure for joining the call effective March 18, 2024

• Call the toll-free Zoom Audio line at 1 (833) 568-8864.
• Enter the meeting ID: 1605223909 followed by #.
• Press # again to bypass entry of the participant ID.
• Enter the passcode 9252024 followed by #.
• After roll call is completed and the DECRO connect the call to the courtroom, keep your phone on mute until your hearing matter is called by Judge Houle.

NOTE – Zoom audio access will only be available by calling the telephone number and no video appearances will be possible.

It is the individual’s responsibility to dial into the call prior to the scheduled hearing.  The court does not place a call to those appearing. 

Zoom audio access will only be available by calling the telephone number and no video appearances will be possible. Parties must use an actual telephone to connect to the call. DO NOT use a computer or application as this has caused disturbances in prior hearings and may result in disruption of the call for the court and other participants.

Telephonic appearances are connected directly with the courtroom’s public address system and electronic recording equipment.  To ensure the quality of the telephonic appearance, the use of cellular phones is strongly discouraged.  If an individual's poor cellular phone connection does not allow the Court to hear or understand the individual, or for the Court to accurately record the audio for transcription, the court may ask that individual to disconnect from the hearing and the individual will otherwise be deemed to have waived his or her appearance in the matter.  Similarly, if a cellular phone disconnects during a hearing, the party appearing by cellular phone will be deemed to have waived his or her appearance.  As the Zoom Audio line is "open" without an operator to mute individual parties, Judge Houle requests that all parties appearing observe professional telephone etiquette, including keeping the phone on mute other than when their matter is called, and keeping a quiet ambient background, to ensure that the process works smoothly and effectively for all parties.  

After you have placed your call you will be able to hear the matters before yours just as if you were in the courtroom.  Judge Houle will call the case, request appearances, and proceed with the hearing. Generally, appearances in the courtroom will be taken first. Please wait for the courtroom appearances to be completed before speaking or making your own appearance.  Each time you speak, you should identify yourself for the record. The court’s teleconferencing system allows more than one speaker to be heard, so the judge can interrupt a speaker to ask a question or redirect the discussion.  When the judge informs the participants that the hearing is completed, you may disconnect, and the next case will be called.

COMPLIANCE

Telephonic appearances by multiple participants are only possible when there is compliance with every procedural requirement.  Sanctions may be imposed when there is any material disruptive deviation from the required procedures, or the court determines that an individual’s conduct makes telephonic appearances inappropriate.  Sanctions may include dropping a matter from calendar, continuing the hearing, proceedings in the absence of an unavailable participant, monetary sanctions, or a permanent prohibition against an individual appearing telephonically.

Revised March 14, 2024

Printable version of Judge Houle's Telephonic Appearance Procedures

NOTICE OF VIDEO AND TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE PROCEDURES
JUDGE ERITHE A. SMITH

Notwithstanding the opening of the Courthouse to in-person proceedings, in light of the overwhelming support by the Bar for continued virtual appearances, Judge Smith will continue conducting hearings remotely using ZoomGov audio and video. However, beginning September 1, 2021, Judge Smith will allow the option for in-person hearings and/or hybrid proceedings for trial and evidentiary hearings only depending on the status of the pandemic. All other matters will be conducted remotely using ZoomGov audio and video until further notice. Please see the calendaring instructions which may be located in the Self-Calendaring section of this page for more details and effective dates.

Hearing participants may view and listen to hearings before Judge Smith using ZoomGov free of charge. Video and audio connection information for each hearing will be provided on Judge Smith's publicly posted hearing calendar, which may be viewed online at: http://ecf-ciao.cacb.uscourts.gov/CiaoPosted/?jid=ES and selecting “Judge Smith” from the tab on the left side of the page. For more details on appearing via ZoomGov, please see the “Notice of Video and Telephonic Appearance Procedures” in the Telephonic Instructions section of this page.

BY MANDATE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA MAY ONLY CONNECT TO THE ZOOMGOV AUDIO FEED, AND ONLY BY TELEPHONE.  ACCESS TO THE VIDEO FEED BY THESE INDIVIDUALS IS PROHIBITED.  IN THE CASE OF A TRIAL OR EVIDENTIARY HEARING, NO AUDIO ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED.

A ZoomGov account is not necessary for remote access, and no pre-registration is required.  Remote access through ZoomGov is free of charge. The audio portion of each hearing will be recorded electronically by the Court and constitute its official record.  

ALL PERSONS (OTHER THAN AUTHORIZED COURT STAFF) ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM MAKING ANY AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS, BY ANY MEANS.  VIOLATION OF THIS PROHIBITION MAY RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF MONETARY AND NON-MONETARY SANCTIONS.

Remote access is a privilege.  Judge Smith reserves the right to suspend or discontinue any party's remote access privileges in her discretion.  Further, although Judge Smith is pleased to make this accommodation available, any party or counsel that elects to appear remotely bears the risk of malfunction or disconnection from the hearing.

Tips for a Successful ZoomGov Court Experience

1. Test the video and audio capabilities of your computer or mobile device in advance of the hearing (i.e., at least one day in advance). 
   
   1. You can do this by clicking on the ZoomGov meeting link posting for the hearing and/or check your video and audio using the ZoomGov app. 
2. If you intend to speak at the hearing, please find a quiet place from which to participate.
3. If you are connecting to the hearing using a wireless device, you should situate yourself in a location with a strong wireless signal.
4. Dial in or connect at least 10 minutes prior to you hearing start time so that you have time to check in and make adjustments to your screen name, etc. before the hearing begins. This becomes very difficult if everyone waits until the last minute to dial in.
5. Unless and until it is your turn to speak, please mute your audio to minimize background noise. Consider keeping your video off until your matter is called.
   
   1. If connected to ZoomGov audio by telephone, you can mute or unmute your connection by pressing *6 on your phone.
6. When you first speak—and each time you speak after someone else has spoken—please say your name.  This may seem awkward but is essential to making a good court record.  The only part of the hearing being recorded is the audio.  If a transcript is requested, it is sometimes difficult for the transcriber to know who is speaking.
7.  If you are participating by video, try to avoid having a window or bright background behind you.  (You may, as a result, appear on video as a shadow.)  If you cannot avoid the bright background, try using a desk lamp or other light source to brighten your face.
8. If you are participating by video using a personal computer, you may separately connect to the audio feed by telephone (for improved audio) using the call-in information provided for the hearing.
   
   1. If you do this, please connect to the video feed first.  In the ZoomGov app, you will be assigned a Participant Code.  Use this code to associate your video and audio feeds.
9. If available, a headset-microphone often provides better sound quality for listening and speaking.
10. Participants and members of the public should at all times remember that although conducted remotely, these hearings are official court proceedings, and individuals should act accordingly.
    
    1. If video is enabled, please wear attire consistent with the decorum of court proceedings.
    2. ZoomGov permits the use of virtual backgrounds to safeguard your privacy.  If you choose to use a virtual background, please avoid backgrounds that are offensive or distracting.
11. ZoomGov video participants are permitted to specify a display name.  If using video, please specify your calendar number, first initial and last name, and client name (ex. 5, R. Smith, ABC Corp.) to assist the Court in creating a record of the proceedings.
12. Please refer to the Zoom Video Hearing Guide, accessible from the Court’s main page, for further information.

Updated: December 19, 2023

Printable version of Judge Smith's Telephonic Appearance Procedures

NOTICE RE VIDEO AND TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE PROCEDURES
FOR JUDGE SCOTT C. CLARKSON’S CASES

Notwithstanding the opening of the Courthouse to in-person proceedings, in light of the overwhelming support by the Bar for continued virtual appearances, Judge Clarkson will continue utilizing ZoomGov in a hybrid format holding hearings by video, with an option for in-person hearings for evidentiary hearings, trials and other matters specially set with Chambers’ prior approval. Parties are directed to review Judge Clarkson’s self-calendaring instructions for calendaring hearings, either by ZoomGov or in-person.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PROHIBITIONS OF PUBLIC 
VIDEO AND AUDIO ACCESSIBILITY OF COURT MATTERS

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts has now mandated that the Public may not observe by video any court proceedings unless they are actual parties or counsels with matters before the Court in which they have an official interest. However, as an accommodation to the Public, many court proceedings will still be accessible by audio. The audio accommodation is limited to (1) non-trials and (2) non-live witness hearings. 

To be clear, during hearings where no live testimony is being received by the Court, the Court may permit accessibility by audio, but not video, to the Public. No trials may ever be accessible by audio to the Public. The Court is the final control regarding audio accessibility and may choose to terminate audio accessibility at any time, regardless of the type of hearing. These audio services are accessible through ZoomGov, and the Public may utilize the telephone number login, but not the video login, presented by the Court on its publicly posted hearing calendar, which may be viewed online at: http://ecf-ciao.cacb.uscourts.gov/CiaoPosted/?jid=SC, and then selecting “Judge Clarkson” from the tab on the left-hand side of the page.

JUDGE ALBERT’S VIDEO AND TELEPHONIC APPEARANCE PROCEDURES
Updated October 5, 2023

Judge Albert’s hearings continue to be conducted using ZoomGov audio and video but hearing participants have the option of appearing in person. IF A HEARING PARTICIPANT WISHES TO APPEAR IN PERSON ADVANCE NOTICE WILL BE REQUIRED. Instructions for a moving party to provide advance notice can be found under the Self-Calendaring section of this page. If a responding party wishes to appear in person, the language “[R]esponding party intends to appear in person” must appear prominently below the hearing information in the caption on the first document filed in response to the motion. If you have a matter pending that is scheduled for hearing and wish to appear in person, you must give notice by calling the Courtroom Deputy at 714-338-5304 no later than one week prior to the hearing.  The courtroom will remain locked unless the court receives notice that a participant intends to appear in person. 

Case participants may participate in hearings before Judge Albert using ZoomGov video and audio free of charge.  Video and audio connection information for each hearing will be provided on Judge Albert's publicly posted hearing calendar, which may be viewed online at: http://ecf-ciao.cacb.uscourts.gov/CiaoPosted/default.aspx?jid=TA and selecting “Judge Albert” from the tab on the left side of the page.   

BY MANDATE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA MAY ONLY CONNECT TO THE ZOOMGOV AUDIO FEED, AND ONLY BY TELEPHONE.  ACCESS TO THE VIDEO FEED BY THESE INDIVIDUALS IS PROHIBITED.  IN THE CASE OF A TRIAL OR EVIDENTIARY HEARING, NO AUDIO ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED.  However, members of the public and the media may observe such proceedings in person (with advance notice to chambers). 

A ZoomGov account is not necessary for remote access, and no pre-registration is required.  Remote access through ZoomGov is free of charge. The audio portion of each hearing will be recorded electronically by the Court and constitute its official record.  

ALL PERSONS (OTHER THAN AUTHORIZED COURT STAFF) ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM MAKING ANY AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS, BY ANY MEANS.  VIOLATION OF THIS PROHIBITION MAY RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF MONETARY AND NON-MONETARY SANCTIONS.

Remote access is a privilege.  Judge Albert reserves the right to suspend or discontinue any party's remote access privileges in his discretion.  Further, although Judge Albert is pleased to make this accommodation available, any party or counsel that elects to appear remotely bears the risk of malfunction or disconnection from the hearing.

Tips for a Successful ZoomGov Court Experience

1. Test the video and audio capabilities of your computer or mobile device in advance of the hearing (i.e., at least one day in advance).  

• You can do this by clicking on the ZoomGov meeting link posting for the hearing and/or check your video and audio using the ZoomGov app.

2. If you intend to speak at the hearing, please find a quiet place from which to participate.
3. If you are connecting to the hearing using a wireless device, you should situate yourself in a location with a strong wireless signal.
4. Dial in or connect early so that you have time to check in and make adjustments to your screen name, etc. before the hearing begins. This becomes very difficult if everyone waits until the last minute to dial in.

5. Unless and until it is your turn to speak, please mute your audio to minimize background noise. Consider keeping your video off until your matter is called.

• If connected to ZoomGov audio by telephone, you can mute or unmute your connection by pressing *6 on your phone.

6. When you first speak—and each time you speak after someone else has spoken—please say your name.  This may seem awkward but is essential to making a good court record.  The only part of the hearing being recorded is the audio.  If a transcript is requested, it is sometimes difficult for the transcriber to know who is speaking. 
7. If you are participating by video, try to avoid having a window or bright background behind you.  (You may, as a result, appear on video as a shadow.)  If you cannot avoid the bright background, try using a desk lamp or other light source to brighten your face.
8. If you are participating by video using a personal computer, you may separately connect to the audio feed by telephone (for improved audio) using the call-in information provided for the hearing.

• If you do this, please connect to the video feed first.  In the ZoomGov app, you will be assigned a Participant Code.  Use this code to associate your video and audio feeds.

9. If available, a headset-microphone often provides better sound quality for listening and speaking.
10. Participants and members of the public should at all times remember that although conducted remotely, these hearings are official court proceedings, and individuals should act accordingly.

• If video is enabled, please wear attire consistent with the decorum of court proceedings.
• ZoomGov permits the use of virtual backgrounds to safeguard your privacy.  If you choose to use a virtual background, please avoid backgrounds that are offensive or distracting.

11. ZoomGov video participants are permitted to specify a display name.  If using video, please specify your calendar number, first initial and last name, and client name (ex. 5, R. Smith, ABC Corp.) to assist the Court in creating a record of the proceedings.
     

Revised October 5, 2023

Printable version of Judge Theodor Albert's Telephonic Appearance Procedures