California Small Claims Court Remote Hearing

Your small claims hearing is coming up and you want to appear by video instead of driving to the courthouse. California law allows remote appearances in small claims court, but the rules vary sharply by county — and the evidence requirements for remote hearings catch defendants off guard more than anything else.

The Statewide Rule

Under CCP § 367.75 and California Rules of Court Rule 3.672, parties have the right to request a remote appearance in most civil proceedings, including small claims. Form RA-010 (Notice of Remote Appearance) is the statewide form for notifying the court and other parties. Check your court's instructions for whether and how to file it, and the deadline.

That's the framework. What actually happens depends on your county.

Los Angeles County: LACourtConnect 3.0

LA County operates its own remote hearing system called LACourtConnect (LACC), accessible at lacourt.ca.gov/laccwelcome. Hearings run through Microsoft Teams.

The critical rule most LA defendants miss: if you plan to offer evidence, you must exchange it with the opposing party and submit it to the court at least 10 calendar days before the hearing, whether you appear remotely or in person. This is a local rule, not a statewide one.

If you miss the 10-day evidence deadline, the court may refuse to consider your evidence or continue the hearing. Missing the deadline alone does not automatically require an in-person appearance; check the court's current instructions and your hearing notice.

To use LACourtConnect:

1. Register through the LACourtConnect page before your hearing date
2. Use the separate Digital Evidence System to upload and share your evidence at least 10 days before the hearing. If you do not have the other party's email, you may still upload for the court, but you must also mail the evidence to the other party and complete LACIV 278.
3. Check in digitally on the morning of the hearing
4. Join the Teams link when your case is called

Orange County: Zoom + Evidence Portal

Orange County uses Zoom for small claims hearings. The county also runs a dedicated electronic evidence portal where exhibits must be uploaded at least 2 days before the hearing.

Initial small claims hearings in Orange County are often conducted remotely, with contested cases set for a separate in-person trial date. So your first appearance may be a preliminary session, not the full trial.

San Diego County: Teams and Zoom

San Diego Superior Court uses both Microsoft Teams and Zoom, depending on the department. The Central Division at 330 W. Broadway publishes daily department rosters with video links. Check the court's website the day before your hearing for the specific platform and link.

San Francisco and Rural Counties

San Francisco Superior Court generally requires evidence to be brought in physical copies to court, though remote appearances can be granted by motion. The expectation is three complete sets of every document — one for the judge, one for the opposing party, one for yourself.

Rural counties like Lassen operate direct Zoom courtrooms and offer CourtCall for telephone appearances. Local Rule 6 governs which courtrooms are on video.

Evidence Rules for Remote Hearings

This is where remote hearings get tricky. In person, you hand your evidence packets to the clerk and opposing party when you arrive. Remotely, you need to get everything submitted in advance.

General guidance for remote evidence:

• PDF format — most courts require text-searchable PDFs, not photos of documents
• Redact sensitive information — Social Security numbers, full bank account numbers, and similar identifiers must be removed under California Rules of Court Rule 1.201
• Label everything — number your exhibits sequentially and include a brief description
• Three sets — even electronically, provide copies for the judge, the opposing party, and your own reference

If your evidence includes photos, text messages, or video, check your specific county's portal for file size limits and accepted formats.

Phone vs. Video

Some courts allow telephone appearances, but video is almost always better for small claims. Judges need to see your evidence, read your documents, and watch your demeanor. A phone-only appearance puts you at a disadvantage if the other side is on video or in person.

That said, a phone appearance is better than no appearance. If video isn't an option — equipment problems, internet issues, travel — call the court clerk and ask about telephone alternatives. Missing the hearing entirely risks a default judgment.

What You Cannot Do Remotely

California Rules of Court Rule 1.150 and local court orders prohibit unauthorized recording, photography, or rebroadcasting of remote court proceedings. Violating this can result in contempt sanctions. Don't screen-record your hearing or stream it, even to a friend helping you prepare.

Full Preparation Walkthrough

Remote or in person, the preparation is the same: understanding your papers, organizing evidence, knowing your options, and planning what to say. The Responding to a Small Claims Case in California guide covers every step from the day you're served through the hearing and beyond, including county-specific rules for remote appearances and evidence deadlines.

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