Virtual and Remote Hearings in Indiana Small Claims Court

Remote Hearings Are Common in Indiana

Many Indiana small claims courts now conduct hearings by video — typically Zoom — rather than requiring everyone to appear in person. This shift accelerated during 2020 and has stuck in courts across the state because it saves time for judges, litigants, and witnesses.

Whether your hearing is remote or in-person depends on the specific court. Check your Notice of Claim or the local court calendar to confirm the format.

How to Find Out If Your Hearing Is Remote

Check three places:

1. Your Notice of Claim. The hearing notice mailed with your served papers should indicate the format. Look for a Zoom link, a meeting ID, or a phone number for dial-in.
2. The court's local calendar. Many county courts post their hearing schedules online. Search for your county's small claims docket on the Indiana Judicial Branch website or the court's own page.
3. The clerk's office. Call the clerk of the court listed on your papers and ask whether the hearing date is set for in-person or virtual appearance. Get the phone number from the official court directory, not from the papers themselves (to verify authenticity).

If the notice says nothing about a remote option, check the local court calendar or contact the clerk; do not assume a virtual appearance is allowed.

Requesting a Remote Hearing

If your case is set for in-person but you want to appear remotely — because of distance, work conflicts, or health reasons — you can file a Motion for Virtual/Telephonic Hearing. Indiana Legal Help (indianalegalhelp.org) provides a downloadable form for this.

File the motion with the court clerk as early as possible. The judge decides whether to approve it. Keep your in-person plans as a backup until you receive a written order granting the virtual appearance.

Preparing Digital Exhibits for a Remote Hearing

This is where remote hearings get tricky for defendants. In person, you bring three printed copies of every document — one for the judge, one for the opposing party, one for yourself. Indiana courts expect this three-copy standard at in-person hearings.

For remote hearings, submit digital copies of exhibits to the court and the opposing party before trial, using the process your court specifies. Check whether your court sets an earlier deadline.

• Label your digital exhibits clearly. Use a simple naming convention: "Defendant Exhibit 1 — Contract.pdf", "Defendant Exhibit 2 — Photos.pdf". The judge needs to reference them during the hearing.
• Send them to both the court and the opposing party. Follow the court's instructions for submission and service.

Follow the court's submission deadline and instructions. Do not wait until the hearing to share documents on screen.

During the Virtual Hearing

The hearing itself follows the same structure as in person. The judge opens by confirming both parties are present, then the plaintiff presents their case, and you present your defense. Key differences:

• Test your technology beforehand. Make sure Zoom (or whatever platform) works on your device, and contact the court promptly if you cannot connect.
• Find a quiet space. Background noise, interruptions, or driving while on camera make a poor impression.
• Dress as you would for court. Judges notice. Business casual is fine; a couch in pajamas is not.
• Mute when not speaking. Unmute only when the judge addresses you or it is your turn to present.
• Have your exhibits accessible. Keep your PDF files open so you can reference them when the judge asks about a specific document.

ADA Accommodations and Interpreters

If you need a foreign language interpreter or Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations for a remote hearing, contact the court's ADA/Interpreter Coordinator at least 10 to 14 days before the hearing. The court provides these services at no cost. Do not assume the court knows about your needs — you must request accommodations proactively.

If You Need an In-Person Hearing

If you have physical evidence, multiple witnesses, or a dispute that depends heavily on credibility, tell the court why and ask whether an in-person hearing is available. The court controls the hearing format.

• Physical evidence that cannot be photographed well — a damaged item, a defective part
• Multiple witnesses who need to testify in sequence
• Credibility-heavy disputes where face-to-face interaction matters

Follow the format in your hearing notice or court order. If you need a different arrangement, request it from the court in advance; do not assume mixed-format appearances are allowed.

For a complete walkthrough of hearing preparation, evidence organization, and the three-copy exhibit system, see the Indiana Small Claims Response Guide.

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