Courtroom and Zoom Court Etiquette: A First-Time Litigant’s Guide

Courtroom and Zoom Court Etiquette

A court appearance can be stressful, particularly if you have never been involved in a lawsuit before. The best way to reduce that stress is to know what is expected before the hearing begins. Whether you appear in person or by Zoom, arrive prepared, pay attention, and follow the judge’s directions.

This is a practical guide for self-represented litigants and others who are unfamiliar with court. It is not a substitute for the hearing notice, the judge’s orders, or the local rules—all of which control if they differ from this guide.

In California civil cases, remote appearances may be permitted or required depending on the case and the court. Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75 governs remote proceedings in many civil matters. In Mendocino County, remote appearances are generally available for non-evidentiary hearings, but the party seeking to appear remotely must file the appropriate request and order forms—commonly RA-010 and RA-020—and obtain the judge’s approval before appearing remotely. Confirm the current local procedure well before the hearing.

Before Any Court Appearance

• Read your notice carefully. Confirm the date, start time, courtroom or department, case number, and whether the hearing is in person or remote.
• Know what the hearing is about. Bring or have accessible the papers relevant to that hearing, including the notice, filed documents, and any exhibits you intend to use.
• Do not assume you can attend remotely. If the notice does not clearly provide remote-access instructions, check the court’s website or contact the clerk’s office well before the hearing. Local procedures differ.
• Plan to be early. Build in time for traffic, parking, security, finding the courtroom, or testing your technology (if necessary).
• Tell the court promptly about an obstacle. If an emergency, illness, or technical problem may prevent your appearance, follow the court’s procedures immediately. Do not simply fail to appear. (If you are remote this can often be accomplished by sending a message through the chat feature to the Court clerk; if you are present in person, you may approach the Bailiff in the Courtroom).

What to Wear and How to Present Yourself

You do not need expensive clothing. Choose clean, neat, conservative clothing that would be appropriate for an important professional appointment. Avoid clothing with distracting words or images, hats, sunglasses, chewing gum, and anything that could interfere with the microphone or camera.

Address the judge as “Your Honor.” Speak calmly and respectfully to everyone in the courtroom or virtual hearing, including court staff, the other side, witnesses, and attorneys. Even when you disagree strongly, do not interrupt, argue over someone, roll your eyes, or make comments under your breath.

When You Arrive at the Courthouse

Getting to the Courtroom

Expect courthouse security. Check the court’s website for current entry requirements and do not bring weapons or other prohibited items. After security, use the directory or courthouse map to locate the correct department. If there is a calendar posted outside the courtroom, check it for your case to verify you are in the right place.

Checking In

Every department handles check-in a little differently. Some use a sign-in sheet, kiosk, clerk, bailiff, or calendar call. In Mendocino County, parties generally approach the bailiff and let the bailiff know they are present for the hearing. If you are unsure what to do, ask the bailiff or court clerk quietly before court starts.

While You Wait

Silence your phone before entering the courtroom. Do not photograph, record, livestream, or take screenshots of court proceedings unless the court has expressly authorized it. Wait quietly and avoid conversations that may disrupt the courtroom.

Do not enter or leave while the judge is speaking, a witness is testifying, or another matter is being heard unless it is necessary. If you need to leave, do so quietly and without disruption to the proceedings.

A support person may attend with a party but may not sit at counsel table when the case is called and may not under any circumstances address the judge, unless the court explicitly permits it.

When Your Case Is Called

When your case is called, approach the front of the courtroom as directed. State your name and your role in the case. For example: “Good morning, Your Honor. Jane Smith, plaintiff, appearing without counsel.”

Then listen. The judge may ask questions, explain the purpose of the hearing, or ask the other side to speak first. Answer the question you are asked. Do not begin by trying to tell the judge everything that has happened in the case. Keep your answer focused and organized. If you do not understand a question, say so: “Your Honor, could you repeat or clarify the question?”

If you need to refer to a document, identify it by name and page number. Do not hand papers directly to the judge unless court staff directs you to do so. A document you bring to court is not automatically part of the record; in most situations, it must have been properly filed and served.

If you have an exhibit to offer in support of your request, give it to the bailiff as directed. The clerk will mark the exhibit, and it may then be returned to you.

Zoom and Other Remote Court Appearances

A remote hearing is still a court hearing—not an informal video call. Treat it with the same seriousness as appearing in the courtroom.

Set up your space

• You MUST have a reliable internet connection to appear by zoom. If you do not, be sure to have a phone number or backup connection to reconnect if you are kicked off the zoom; otherwise, the court can consider you as not having appeared for the hearing.
• Join from a quiet, private, well-lit place. Avoid cars, public spaces, restaurants, and areas where others may overhear confidential matters.
• Eliminate distractions and background noise. Arrange childcare, pets, televisions, music, phones, doorbells, and conversations so they will not interrupt or be heard during the hearing.
• Put your device on a stable surface at eye level. Make sure your face is visible and the camera is not pointed at the ceiling. Do not hold your phone and move it around incessantly as it distracting to the Court.
• Choose a clean, plain, professional-looking background. Do not use a cluttered or distracting setting, virtual background, filter, or visual effect.
• Use your real name on the video platform, preferably your first and last name. Do not use nicknames, jokes, or screen names.
• Close unrelated apps, disable notifications, and keep documents you need open or within reach.
• Test your camera, microphone, speakers, charging cable, and hearing link before the hearing. Join early enough to resolve routine problems.

During the remote hearing

• Keep your microphone muted unless you are speaking or the judge directs otherwise.
• Turn your camera on during the hearing. Do not assume you may turn it off after joining.
• Do not eat on camera. Also do not smoke, vape, drive, walk around, lie down, or carry on other activities while connected.
• Do not use virtual backgrounds, filters, or distracting visual effects.
• Speak only when called on. Unmute yourself before you begin speaking, then pause briefly and speak slowly and clearly. Mute again when you have finished unless the judge directs otherwise.
• Avoid speaking over anyone. If you need to respond, wait for a pause or use the platform’s “raise hand” feature if the court permits it.
• Keep children, pets, family members, and other interruptions out of the hearing space as much as possible.
• Never record or share the hearing without express permission from the court.

If you are disconnected, rejoin immediately using the same link. If that fails, use the court’s backup contact information or call the clerk’s office. When you reconnect, wait quietly for the judge or clerk to acknowledge you rather than interrupting the proceeding.

Testifying in Court: Rules and Practical Guidelines

Testimony is evidence given under oath or affirmation. Testimony is only taken at an evidentiary hearing, not at a law and motions appearance calendar. Once you are sworn in for testimony, your job is to answer truthfully and carefully—not to persuade through argument, fill every silence, or debate the lawyer asking the question.

How to testify effectively in person

• Tell the truth. Never guess, exaggerate, or try to shape an answer to help your side. If you do not know or do not remember, say so.
• Listen to the entire question. Pause briefly before answering. This gives you time to understand the question and lets an attorney make any appropriate objection before you respond.
• Answer only the question asked. Be complete and truthful, but do not volunteer extra facts or give a speech. A short, responsive answer is often best.
• Speak clearly. Use words rather than nods, shrugs, or gestures, because the court reporter may not be able to record nonverbal answers. Avoid saying “uh-huh” or “nope”; say “yes” or “no.” The goal is to have a complete and accurate record of the hearing and non verbal gestures don’t make it into the transcripts.
• Ask for clarification when needed. It is appropriate to say, “I do not understand the question,” “Could you repeat that?” or “Could you rephrase that?”
• Do not argue with counsel or the judge. If a question feels unfair or inaccurate, answer truthfully if you understand it; your attorney, if you have one, may object or address the issue through proper procedure.
• Stop when an objection is made. Do not answer until the judge rules or instructs you to proceed. If the judge sustains the objection, do not try to supply the answer anyway. If the judge overrules the objection, then you may answer the question.
• Use documents carefully. Do not read from or refer to notes, messages, or documents unless the court permits it. If you need to review a document to refresh your recollection, ask first or follow your attorney’s instruction.

Body language and audible reactions matter

Judges assess the evidence, not personal style alone. But your demeanor can affect how the court receives your testimony and whether you appear attentive, respectful, and credible.

Avoid eye-rolling, smirking, laughing, sighing, shaking your head, aggressive gestures, slouching, folding your arms defensively, or turning away while someone else is speaking. Do not mutter, whisper, or make comments under your breath. Those comments may be heard by the judge, court reporter, opposing counsel, or others in the courtroom—even when you think they are private.

A visible or audible reaction can suggest hostility, impatience, evasiveness, or disrespect. It can distract from your testimony and may cause the judge to question your ability to follow instructions. If something frustrates you, pause, take a breath, and address only the question or instruction before you. If you are represented, save concerns for a private conversation with your attorney when the court permits it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Showing up late. A case may be called before you arrive, and a missed appearance can have serious consequences.
• Interrupting. Wait until the judge asks you to speak or gives you an opportunity to respond.
• Arguing with the other side instead of addressing the judge. Direct your remarks to the court, not to the opposing party or attorney.
• Using the hearing to raise unrelated issues. Stay focused on the matter scheduled for that day only. The judge will get flustered if you try to bring up other topics than what is scheduled for that day.
• Assuming the judge has read every paper. Be prepared to identify the relevant filing and explain your point concisely.
• Messaging or coaching a witness during testimony. Do not communicate with a witness about their testimony while they are testifying, including by text, chat, email, or private message.
• Treating a remote appearance casually. Remote court is formal court; use the same preparation and courtesy you would use in person.
• Use documents carefully. Do not read from or refer to notes, messages, or documents unless the court permits it. If you need to review a document to refresh your recollection, ask first or follow your attorney’s instruction.

A Simple Checklist

For an in-person hearing

• Hearing notice and case number
• Filed documents and a short outline of your key points
• Pen and paper
• Charged phone set to silent
• Extra time for travel, parking, security, and locating the courtroom

For a Zoom hearing

• Hearing link, meeting ID, passcode, and backup contact information
• Charged device and charger
• Tested camera, microphone, speakers, and internet connection
• Quiet, private, well-lit location
• Real name displayed on the platform
• Tested camera, microphone, speakers, and internet connection
• Microphone muted until called on
• No distractions

Final Thoughts

You do not need to know every rule of litigation to make a respectful and effective first appearance. Be early, be prepared, listen carefully, speak only when appropriate, and ask politely when you do not understand an instruction. Those habits help the court address your case fairly and efficiently.

This article provides general educational information, not legal advice. Court procedures, local rules, and orders in your case may impose additional or different requirements.