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L.A. Superior Court Offers Remote Access to Court Proceedings, With Audio-Only
By a MetNews Staff Writer
The Los Angeles Superior Court announced yesterday that effective immediately, the public will be able to attend all nonconfidential court proceedings remotely.
Creating a court ID and password will be necessary, as well as registering for each hearing, under the court’s Remote Audio Appearance Program (“RAAP”), according to the announcement by court Executive Officer/Clerk Sherri R. Carter. She noted that attorneys may use their existing ID and password, by which they access their Attorney Portal.
“RAAP enables users with a smart phone, tablet or computer with internet service to establish a remote connection to courtrooms and listen to nonconfidential court proceedings,” Carter said. “The Court is pleased to offer RAAP as part of its Here For You|Safe For You initiative.”
She issued a reminder as to California Rules of Court, rule 1.150, which provides that “court proceedings may not be photographed, recorded, or broadcast” without the judge’s permission, added that the court “will not authorize any recording or broadcast of proceedings via RAAP.”
Carter said that use of RAAP “will be the preferred option for public access to courtroom proceedings,” but that limited courtroom seating will remain available for members of the general public lacking the necessary electronic equipment. However, she pointed out, attendance requires compliance with a general order issued Nov. 23 by the then-presiding judge, Kevin C. Brazile, which says that persons “who wish to attend a court proceeding may do so upon advance request and at the discretion of the judicial officer presiding over the matter.”
Because RAAP provides audio-only access, it is not designed for court appearances or testimony, Carter explained.
The current presiding judge, Eric C. Taylor, said:
“We are implementing this new tool as part of our ongoing effort to ensure public access during the pandemic and to enforce social distancing requirements in Los Angeles County courthouses.”
Information is available at:
http://www.lacourt.org/newsmedia/ui/CourtroomSeating.aspx.
Copyright 2021, Metropolitan News Company