Video Conferencing Policy

Scheduling a videoconference:

The use of videoconferencing at a hearing or trial requires that a motion be presented to the presiding Judge for approval of a request for videoconferencing. Once the presiding Judge approves the motion, the requesting agency and/or attorney must submit a copy by fax of the signed order and a completed videoconferencing request form to Court Administration a minimum of 3 business days prior to the videoconference. Forms can be found on the 12th Circuit Court website: http://www.jud12.flcourts.org. The fax number for Manatee Court Administration is (941) 749-3692 and for Sarasota Court Administration it is (941) 861-7904.
The requesting party must make all reservations and/or arrangements with the remote videoconference location.
Videoconference equipment is limited and requests will be serviced on a first come, first serve basis.
Conference date(s) and time(s) will depend on the room and equipment availability at the courthouse and the remote site.
The requesting party must pay all costs (remote room use fees, scheduling fees, line and long distance charges, etc.) unless those costs are waived by order of the Court. All videoconference calls to the court must originate from the remote location.

Once use of the videoconferencing equipment has been confirmed and scheduled, the reservation can only be changed or cancelled with the agreement of all parties. Court Administration must be notified of any change or cancellation immediately.

Videoconferencing hours at the Sarasota County Judicial Center and the Manatee County Courthouse are from 8:30 am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Videoconferencing that runs past 5:00 pm may incur additional costs.

Persons scheduling use of the videoconferencing room for depositions will be notified of where to report and are requested to arrive for the videoconference at least 20 minutes prior to the actual conference time.
Persons requesting videoconferencing are also responsible for returning the room to the original seating configuration and for cleaning up miscellaneous items left in the room.

The use of videoconferencing at a hearing or trial requires that a motion be presented to the presiding Judge for approval of a request for videoconferencing. Once the presiding Judge approves the motion, the requesting agency and/or attorney must submit a copy by fax of the signed order and a completed videoconferencing request form to Court Administration a minimum of 3 business days prior to the videoconference. Forms can be found on the 12th Circuit Court website: http://www.jud12.flcourts.org. The fax number for Manatee Court Administration is (941) 749-3692 and for Sarasota Court Administration it is (941) 861-7904.
The requesting party must make all reservations and/or arrangements with the remote videoconference location.
Videoconference equipment is limited and requests will be serviced on a first come, first serve basis.
Conference date(s) and time(s) will depend on the room and equipment availability at the courthouse and the remote site.
The requesting party must pay all costs (remote room use fees, scheduling fees, line and long distance charges, etc.) unless those costs are waived by order of the Court. All videoconference calls to the court must originate from the remote location.

Once use of the videoconferencing equipment has been confirmed and scheduled, the reservation can only be changed or cancelled with the agreement of all parties. Court Administration must be notified of any change or cancellation immediately.

Videoconferencing hours at the Sarasota County Judicial Center and the Manatee County Courthouse are from 8:30 am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Videoconferencing that runs past 5:00 pm may incur additional costs.

Persons scheduling use of the videoconferencing room for depositions will be notified of where to report and are requested to arrive for the videoconference at least 20 minutes prior to the actual conference time.
Persons requesting videoconferencing are also responsible for returning the room to the original seating configuration and for cleaning up miscellaneous items left in the room.

Sample Court Order - PDF

Video Conferencing Request Form