Vermont Small Claims Remote Hearing on Zoom: How to Prepare

Your Hearing Might Be on Zoom

Vermont small claims hearings can be held in person at the county courthouse or remotely via Zoom or telephone.

Your hearing notice will specify the format. If it says the hearing is remote by video, follow the Zoom link and instructions. If you need a different format, contact the clerk's office early and ask what options are available; do not assume the format has changed unless the court confirms it.

Setting Up Your Tech

Test everything before the hearing date. The day of trial is not the time to discover your microphone doesn't work.

Device. A laptop or desktop computer with a webcam is ideal. A smartphone works but makes evidence presentation harder — you can't easily share your screen to show documents. If you're on a phone, prop it at eye level so the judge can see your face, not the ceiling.

Internet connection. Wired ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi. If you're on Wi-Fi, sit as close to the router as possible. Close other applications and streaming services that might compete for bandwidth. A dropped connection mid-hearing is disruptive — the judge may give you a few minutes to reconnect, but repeated drops can delay proceedings.

Audio. Use headphones or earbuds with a built-in microphone. The built-in speakers and mic on a laptop create echo and feedback. Mute yourself when you're not speaking.

Background. Find a quiet, private room. Background noise — kids, dogs, TV, traffic — makes it hard for the judge to hear you and signals that you're not treating the proceeding seriously. A neutral background (blank wall, bookshelf) is fine.

Lighting. Face a window or desk lamp so your face is clearly visible. Backlighting (a window behind you) turns you into a silhouette.

Presenting Evidence in a Remote Hearing

This is where remote hearings differ most from in-person ones. In a courthouse, you hand the judge paper copies of your evidence. On Zoom, you need a different approach.

Vermont Digital Evidence Portal (VDEP). Audio recordings, video files, and other non-PDF digital evidence must be submitted before the hearing date. If you are e-filing, upload digital exhibits through Odyssey File & Serve; otherwise, follow the hearing notice or the clerk's instructions for VDEP. Submit them by the deadline in the hearing notice.

Screen sharing. Some judges allow you to share your screen to display documents. Have your evidence files open in separate tabs or windows before the hearing starts, organized in the order you plan to present them. Practice switching between documents.

Physical exhibits held to camera. For printed contracts, receipts, or photos, hold them close to the camera. This works poorly for anything with fine print — scan the document as a PDF and share it on screen instead.

Send copies to the plaintiff in advance. Whether or not the judge requires pre-trial exchange of evidence, sending the plaintiff copies of your exhibits before the hearing eliminates objections about surprise evidence and makes the hearing run faster.

Courtroom Etiquette on Zoom

A remote hearing is still a court proceeding. The judge will open the session, confirm identities, and administer an oath. Treat it with the same formality you would in a courtroom.

• Dress as you would for court. Business casual at minimum. The judge sees you on camera.
• Don't eat, drink (other than water), or smoke during the hearing.
• Address the judge as "Your Honor" or "Judge."
• Don't interrupt. The plaintiff speaks, then you get your turn. Take notes while the plaintiff testifies so you remember what to address.
• Look at the camera, not the screen, when you're speaking. This creates the impression of eye contact.
• Stay muted when not speaking to avoid background noise pickup.

If your connection drops, rejoin the Zoom link immediately. If you can't reconnect, call the clerk's office phone number (listed on your hearing notice) right away; do not assume the hearing will wait.

What If You Can't Do a Remote Hearing

If you lack reliable internet access, don't have a device with a camera, or have a disability that makes video participation difficult, contact the clerk's office and ask what participation options are available.

Travel to county courthouses in rural areas such as Essex, Orleans, or Grand Isle can involve long drives. If the hearing format or travel creates a problem, raise it with the clerk before the hearing date and ask what options are available.

The Responding to a Small Claims Case in Vermont guide includes a remote hearing checklist covering the full tech setup, evidence preparation workflow, and VDEP upload process step by step.

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