The COVID-19 pandemic has, at least for the time being, changed court procedures in the Skokie and Rolling Meadows courthouses, the Daley Center and elsewhere. Depending on your jurisdiction, most of your court appearances will take place on zoom. This can seem intimidating, but it’s really not that scary.
When you are arrested for DUI, the officer will give you a ticket with information for your first court date and place. Unfortunately, this does not usually include the zoom meeting and pass codes you will need to log into the courtroom. You will have to search the court’s website in the county where your DUI is located for that information. If you hire an attorney, the attorney can provide this information for you.
In order to attend court, you will likely have to download the zoom app. Once you have done so, you can enter the virtual court at your scheduled time. Defendants logging into the courtroom will receive a message that the “meeting host will let you in.” This is normal and not a cause to worry (unless you have the wrong meeting code information). Once the judge is ready, he or she will admit you. Be sure to turn on the video but mute your sound until the judge calls your name.
If you have an attorney, the attorney will answer on your behalf. At that point, the judge will look for you on the call. On your first court date, the attorney will enter his or her appearance and ask for copies of discovery (the evidence against you). If you have hired an attorney promptly, the attorney may argue to overturn the automatic suspension of your driver’s license at that time.
Although you are not appearing in person, you should dress and act as though you were physically in court. I have heard a judge admonish people not to go on zoom while in bed or with someone on top of them or in the shower. You should treat zoom court as though it were a business meeting for a job you really hope to get.
If you have been charged with a DUI or similar offense, contact an experienced attorney immediately. An attorney can review your case for your best possible defense as well as help you navigate your way through the court system.
If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.
(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)</i>
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Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).
Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).