Navigating Virtual Proceedings in Juvenile Court: A Guide for Judges

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, juvenile courts across the country have adopted video and teleconferencing to conduct virtual hearings. Although initially embraced as an emergency measure, virtual proceedings continue to be utilized even as jurisdictions increasingly lift restrictions on in-person hearings. This new “hybrid” model is being heralded as a groundbreaking way to make court more accessible and, more importantly, more convenient. However, as gatekeepers to court proceedings, judges must ensure that the constitutional rights of youth in their courtrooms are prioritized over efficiency or cost-saving concerns. Before proceeding with virtual hearings, judges should be mindful of access to technology, constitutional implications, and the limitations of remote proceedings specific to youth.