Staci J. Williams

The courtroom permits laptop-connected presentations and video through its ELMO system, and counsel are strongly urged to test compatibility well before a hearing or trial.

The Court is equipped with a document reader ("ELMO") with the capacity for counsel to connect a laptop computer to project presentations and video in the courtroom. Counsel are strongly urged to test their equipment for compatibility with the system well in advance of a hearing or trial.

Dallas County's civil district court directory provides an official AV equipment training video for courtroom preparation.

AV Equipment Training Video

In civil district and county court proceedings, the court may permit or require electronic participation after appropriate notice; compelled electronic participation for oral-testimony proceedings requires good cause or party agreement, and a jury trial requires party agreement.

Upon appropriate notice by a party or the court, a court may allow or require a participant to appear at a court proceeding by videoconference, teleconference, or other available electronic means, except as otherwise provided in (2).

Civil district and county trial courts may permit courtroom recording or broadcasting only under Supreme Court guidelines, with the required party and witness consent, or for ceremonial proceedings.

A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of proceedings in the courtroom only in the following circumstances: