LA County Court video conferencing program for civil matters to start June 15

Los Angeles County Superior Court will begin integrating video conferencing via a new program at the end of the month, starting with probate and civil settlement matters.

The program, LACourtConnect, allows attorneys and pro se litigants to have the option of appearing via audio or video, for a fee, when the court resumes civil hearings June 22 following three months of scaled down operations, the court said Tuesday.

Limited, unlimited and complex civil, as well as family law and traffic courtrooms will incorporate the platform throughout the summer, according to the court.

Starting June 15, parties can register through the attorney portal to schedule a remote appearance. The fees are $15 for each audio appearance, $23 for each video appearance. Individuals can access without charge if they obtain a fee waiver.

"LACourtConnect will provide a safe and convenient alternative to coming through the courthouse doors to appear for your hearing," said Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile in a statement. "As we restore court operations on June 15 and gradually resume hearings beginning June 22, we want to assure litigants and attorneys the court will open its doors with infection control measures, social distancing and face covering requirements."

Brazile said the new software will allow for more convenience, fewer people inside a courtroom, save commute time and eliminate parking costs.

Speaking at a UCLA School of Law conference last week, Brazile noted utilizing remote conferences is "optional, not mandatory."

"We strongly recommend and encourage everybody to do remote appearances," said Brazile on May 29. Virtual jury assembly, selection and trials are also a possibility down the road, per stipulation, he said.

The court's current teleconferencing platform, CourtCall, will be used until various calendars have transitioned to LACourtConnect, according to the court.

WebEx, the court's other teleconferencing technology, will expand into more criminal courtrooms. By August, remote appearance technology will be in place in about 580 courtrooms county-wide, according to the court. There are about 600 courtrooms in the Los Angeles County court system.

-- Justin Kloczko