NOTICE REGARDING FOURTH CIRCUIT COMBINED MOTION DOCKET FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 IMPORTANT NOTICE: ALL MOTIONS WILL BE HEARD VIA ZOOM. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THROUGH ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DOCKETS BELOW. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ZOOM HEARINGS (Attorneys are responsible for forwarding this information to their respective clients and to the witnesses, court reporters, Pro Se Litigants and/or interpreters on their case) 1. You will need a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that is equipped with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection. If you do not have access to any of these devices, please contact the court IMMEDIATELY at: 615-862-5910 . 2. Install Zoom For Free For smartphones and tablets, install ZOOM from the Play Store or App Store. For your desktop computer, laptop or notebook device with webcam and microphone, please visit www.zoom.us and follow the instructions to download the app. 3. Create an Account Create a Zoom account by going to www.zoom.us, and click, "sign up, it's free" and follow the prompts from there. You will need to use your email address and create a password. You only need to do this one time; this is the account you will use each time you enter a Zoom virtual hearing. 4. Test Your Connection and Device You should test audio and video at least 24 hours before the conference. This can be done in the “Preferences” or “Settings” window of the program. You will also want to test the program to be sure that you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. If your signal strength is too weak this may impact your ability to participate in the virtual hearing. If you are unable to participate by video, please contact the court IMMEDIATELY at: 615-862-5910. 5. Join the Zoom Call (All counsel and all participating parties should sign in no later than 10 minutes prior to the time scheduled for their hearing as shown on the docket below. This includes, litigants, witnesses, court reporters and interpreters). When it is time for your hearing (as shown on the docket below) join the Zoom conference by clicking on the link shown with your case on the docket, clicking the following link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1611031564 or you may sign in manually at: www.zoom.us and use the Zoom meeting ID: 161 103 1564. (You may also test this link and/or sign-in information at any time in advance of the hearing) Clicking on any of the links will open your Zoom app and ask you to enter the Zoom session’s Meeting ID: 161 103 1564. After you enter the meeting ID, a screen should load showing your face, after you see this screen, click “join with video.” If you are unable to join Zoom by video (using a camera on your phone, tablet, laptop or computer) or you have a bad audio connection when you join using your video, you may call from a landline or cell phone and participate using audio only. To do this please call: 833-568-8864 and when prompted, enter the Meeting ID: 161 103 1564#. You will be placed on hold until it is time to admit you into your hearing. 5. Display Name The name that you choose for yourself will be shown on the screen during the call. You must use your full name as it appears in your case as well as your case name so that you can be identified. For example, if your name is Jane Doe and the case you are participating in is Smith v. Smith. Then your name on the screen should show as follows: Jane Doe-Smith v. Smith This will allow us to identify you and admit you in the hearing when your case is ready to be heard. If you fail to do so you may not be admitted into the proceeding from the Waiting Room. 6. Enter the Waiting Room Once the above steps have been completed, you will have joined the Zoom session and be placed into the Zoom Waiting Room until such time your case is ready to be heard. Please pay attention to the comments in the chat section for helpful information from the court about the status of the docket and timing of cases, including yours. (When in the Waiting Room, you cannot hear or see the court proceedings.) 7. Entering the Hearing from the Waiting Room When the court is ready to hear your case, you will be allowed entry into the Zoom meeting from the Waiting Room by the host. 8. Join with Audio A message box will then appear asking you to “join with computer audio,” or “join with internet audio.” Selecting this will allow you to hear the meeting and speak through your device. 9. Exhibits Any exhibits that are intended to be used for Motion hearings shall be forwarded to the court by noon the day before the hearing. If the exhibits are emailed to the court, they should be emailed to: [email protected] AND opposing counsel (or the party on the other side of the case, if they are not represented) shall be copied on the email. This shall include sworn Income and Expense Statements for matters that involve Pendente Lite Support which are mandatory. The subject line of the email should say: Zoom Hearing Exhibits of (Case Name and Number) Also, Share Screen is a feature that can be used to share documents that you have on your computer. The Host will be the only one to assign participants to share screen. This is helpful when showing exhibits. 10. Witnesses • If a witness does not have the capability for video conferencing and can only call in on the phone, then the witness cannot testify regarding any exhibits. • The attorney calling the witness is responsible for ensuring the witness has a separate video and audio feed and that the witness is in a location where he/she is unable to hear any part of the hearing prior to being called. • It is the responsibility of the attorney offering the witness to ensure that the witness has the link to the proceedings and that all exhibits are available to the witness, including those of opposing parties. 11. Interpreters In the event an interpreter is necessary, the use of the State Trial Court interpreter, an interpreter approved by the Administrative Office of the Court or approved by the AOC guidelines is required for motion hearings and it is incumbent on the party requiring the interpreter to secure the same. For assistance, you may contact the court at: 615-862-5910. TIPS • Do not join the Zoom meeting while in a moving vehicle. • Internet connectivity may affect your Zoom connection. • You may join the Zoom court session before the host has admitted you into the “courtroom.” If you join before the host is ready to start the session or court, you will be in a “waiting room”. Please do not leave the meeting; once the host begins the session you will begin receiving messages from the host regarding the docket and hearings. • Join the Zoom Court Session on time. If you arrive late and/or do not properly identify yourself with your name and case name, you may miss your hearing. • When you are admitted from the Waiting Room, you should mute yourself by clicking on the microphone icon. • If there is a red line through the microphone you are muted and cannot be heard by the people in the meeting. When it is your turn to speak, you will need to unmute yourself by clicking the microphone. • If you have not previously clicked on the “Join by Video” button, you may click on “start video” after joining the meeting so that others can see you. If the “start video” icon on the bottom left corner has a red line through it, that means that no one else can see you. • Please be mindful of your attire as you would if you were coming to court. Be aware of your background (area behind you) so that it does not affect the quality of the video. Make sure you are not sitting directly in front of or behind a window, because the light or reflection can affect the video. Choose a quiet place to participate in the hearing. Cell phones should be muted, doors to rooms closed and disruptions minimized. You should remain on mute until it is your time to speak. Do not speak over anyone and do not interrupt anyone. Use appropriate language as you would in a courtroom. If there is a court reporter or foreign language interpreter present, be aware that he or she may interrupt from time to time to clarify who is speaking. Observers should keep their video off and sound on mute. The Court will continue to accept announcements for agreed orders, continuance and strikes via telephone. Please feel free to contact our office at: 615-862-5910 if we may be of any assistance to you. The Court thanks you for your patience and understanding as the Court navigates through these unusual and unchartered waters. Be safe. IMPORTANT NOTICE: ALL MOTIONS WILL BE HEARD VIA ZOOM. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THROUGH ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DOCKETS. FOURTH CIRCUIT COURT STAGGERED MOTION DOCKET APRIL 9, 2021 9:00 AM CASES-DEFAULT MOTIONS ALL PARTIES, ATTORNEYS AND WITNESSES ARE TO BE LOGGED IN TO ZOOM BY 8:50 AM* FOURTH CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE SMITH, PHILIP E. FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 DOMESTIC MOTION DOCKET - DEFAULT MOTIONS - 09:00am Page No.