California courts will expand remote access via the telephone or audio stream, under a new law designed to make them more accessible to the public.
State and federal courts around the country began using remote access via the internet or telephone to handle cases as Covid-19 forced court closures. Remote hearings had the unintended effect of reducing caseloads below pre-pandemic levels by allowing California courts to clear their inventory, according to a study released Sept. 20.
The new law (S.B. 241) authorizes the use of remote technology in civil proceedings.
All 58 California superior courts can remotely hold ...