Delaware JP Court Virtual Hearing: How Zoom Trials Work

Virtual Hearings in Delaware JP Court

The Justice of the Peace Court may schedule a civil hearing over Zoom. If your hearing is remote, follow the notice for its Zoom link or meeting ID and connection instructions. The proceeding is a real trial — the magistrate hears both sides, reviews evidence, and issues a binding judgment.

Everything you'd do at an in-person hearing applies: you present your case, cross-examine the plaintiff's witnesses, and submit evidence. The only difference is the medium.

Setting Up for the Hearing

Technology basics:

• Use a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone. A phone works in a pinch but makes sharing documents harder.
• Test your Zoom connection the day before. Make sure audio and video work.
• Find a quiet, well-lit room. Background noise or poor lighting makes it harder for the magistrate to hear you and take you seriously.
• Charge your device or plug it in.

Dress and demeanor:

Treat it like an in-person court appearance. Dress as you would for the courtroom — business casual at minimum. The magistrate can see you, and so can the opposing party.

Log in at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. You may wait in a virtual waiting room until the magistrate admits participants.

Presenting Evidence Over Zoom

Follow the hearing notice and any instructions from the court about submitting or showing exhibits. Prepare three copies of your documents — one for the magistrate, one for the other party, and one for yourself.

Screen sharing — Do not assume that screen sharing will be accepted as evidence. Ask the clerk how to provide exhibits for your remote hearing and follow the court's instructions.

Pre-submitted evidence — Check your hearing notice for any instructions about submitting evidence in advance. Do not assume an email or eFlex filing will serve as evidence submission.

Physical evidence and digital media — The court's trial guidance says to bring digital audio or video on a court-compatible physical medium, such as a USB drive or CD. Ask the clerk how the court will receive or display that material at your remote hearing.

Organization matters: Label your files clearly (e.g., "Exhibit_A_Contract.pdf," "Exhibit_B_Photos.zip"). Have them in a single folder on your desktop so you're not searching during the hearing.

The Hearing Process

The virtual hearing follows the same structure as an in-person trial:

1. Check-in — The magistrate opens the session, confirms identities, and explains the process.
2. Plaintiff's case — The person suing you presents their evidence and testimony first.
3. Cross-examination — You ask the plaintiff questions about their claims.
4. Your defense — You present your evidence, testimony, and witnesses.
5. Plaintiff's cross-examination — They get to question you.
6. Closing statements — Both sides summarize their arguments.
7. Magistrate's decision — May be issued immediately or reserved for a written decision within 15 days.

Common Pitfalls

Don't record the hearing. Recording a court proceeding without permission is prohibited. Zoom's record button is not an exception.

Don't have someone off-camera feed you answers. The magistrate can tell, and it undermines your credibility.

Don't interrupt. Wait for the other side to finish before responding. On Zoom, where audio overlap creates chaos, this matters even more than in person.

Don't skip the hearing because it's virtual. A no-show at a Zoom hearing has the same consequence as a no-show in person — the court can enter a default judgment against you.

Witnesses on Zoom

Ask the court whether a witness may appear remotely and follow the instructions in the hearing notice. If a witness won't appear voluntarily, request a subpoena from the clerk ($10); the remote format does not eliminate that requirement.

Written statements from witnesses are generally inadmissible as hearsay, whether the hearing is virtual or in-person. The witness needs to appear live.

For a full hearing preparation walkthrough — including what evidence to gather and how to organize your defense — our Delaware Small Claims Response Guide covers the defendant's process from start to finish.

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