SUPERIOR COURT OF LAKE COUNTY
COUNTY DIVISION, ROOM THREE
JUDGE JULIE N. CANTRELL
PHONE (219) 755-3595
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON COURT PROCEDURES DUE TO COVID19
As a result of the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency, the Governor’s office and the Supreme Court of Indiana, our court will be implementing new procedures to protect the health and well-being of both the public and staff members. The procedures are being put into effect as an effort to employ social distancing by limiting the number of people in the Lake County Government Building.
We are strongly encouraging all attorneys and litigants to appear remotely. It is important that you carefully read any notice or order you receive from the Court as well as the information contained in this document. The Court will be using the Zoom meeting platform. To participate in the remote hearing, you may use a computer, tablet, or mobile device that allows you to access Zoom through the internet or by downloading the application on any device that supports Zoom. In civil matters, unrepresented participants may alternatively participate in the proceeding by telephone if they do not have the technology to participate through the web or other application.
To effectuate these new methods of appearing before the Court the following procedures will be used:
- If appearing in-person for Criminal and Infraction/Traffic you must text or call (219) 615-7344 and provide your full name and your cause number (if you know it)
You will remain in your vehicle, or in a designated waiting area, until the court messages you to enter the courtroom.
- If appearing in-person for Small Claims and Civil you must text or call (219) 615-7854 and provide your full name and your cause number (if you know it)
You will remain in your vehicle, or in a designated waiting area, until the court messages you to enter the courtroom
- Each court order or notice will include information including your court date, time, and the information on how to appear remotely on that day.
- To appear remotely for Criminal Court and Infraction/Traffic Court (ordinance violations) you may open Zoom on the web or through a web based application or click on the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/5100285746
You may then be asked to enter the meeting ID and password, which are as follows:
Meeting ID: 510 028 5746
- To appear remotely for Small Claims Court you may open Zoom on the web or through a web based application or click on the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/4346776986
You may then be asked to enter the meeting ID and password, which are as follows:
Meeting ID: 434 677 6986
- If your case is scheduled in Criminal Court on the morning court call, you must be available to appear remotely between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. If you are scheduled for the afternoon, you must be available between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Check in will begin at 9:00 a.m. for the morning call and at 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon call. You will be placed in a waiting room once you connect and you will wait until you case is called for hearing. This is essentially the way court is conducted in person so please be patient.
- If your case is scheduled in Civil Court on the morning court call, you must be available to appear remotely between the hours of 8:45 am and 12:00 p.m. If you are scheduled for the afternoon, you must be available between the hours of 12:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Check in will begin at 8:45 am. for the morning call and at 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon call. You will be placed in a waiting room once you connect and you will wait until you case is called for hearing. This is essentially the way court is conducted in person so please be patient. We are encouraging all civil participants to call and check in first thing in the morning or afternoon no matter what time you were scheduled. However, if you are scheduled in the morning you still need to check in that morning. If you were scheduled in the afternoon you would still be required to check in that afternoon.
- If you are unavailable on your scheduled court date the proceeding may go forward without your participation. Your failure to appear for any criminal matters may result in a finding of guilt or the issuance of a bench warrant.
- If you fail to appear for a civil case the matter may go forward without your participation. This could result in a default judgment, eviction, garnishment, dismissal or other adverse action being taken against you.
- If you previously received a notice from the Civil Division of a telephonic hearing you may appear through Zoom for the hearing instead by following the procedures listed in this notice.
- If you are requesting a continuance for any type of case the request must be in writing and submitted to the court at least ten days prior to the hearing, to facilitate the Courts review. There will be no walk-in defendants, plaintiffs, or counsel not appearing on the Court’s docket. The same holds true for warrant recalls. They must be e-filed by the attorney, if applicable, or filed in the Clerk’s office if you are unrepresented.
- All Plea agreements in Criminal cases must be e-filed prior to the court hearing. The plea must be accompanied by the Waiver of Rights form, The Waiver of In-Person Plea and/or Sentencing Hearing, the Miscellaneous Order (specifying costs) form, and the Habitual Traffic Offender Violator Advisement form, if applicable. All forms must be signed by everyone involved and submitted prior to the hearing. There will be no exceptions.
- If you are appearing remotely for a bench trial, all evidence, exhibits, and matte photographs must be e-filed or e-mailed to the Court at LC_Division3@lakecountyin.org and must be submitted at least seventy-two (72) hours before trial. Please limit your exhibits to only what is essential to your case.
- If you have questions about your case or the hearing you can look up your case by going on the web at mycase.in.gov or you may contact the court directly at (219) 755-3595 (Choose prompt 4 for Criminal Court and prompt 5 for Civil or Small Claims Court).
- Please remember that this is a formal court proceeding and you must conduct yourself accordingly. The Indiana Office of Judicial Administration also has useful tips and further information about remote hearings at www.in.gov/judiciary/files/remote-hearings-tips.pdf.
Finally, please note that Rule 2.17 of the Indiana Code of Judicial of Conduct prohibits the recording of Court proceedings. Accordingly, everyone who in any way participates in, sees, or hears the Court’s proceedings is now ORDERED that that they will not participate in, or record the proceedings in any manner. Violations of this Rule shall be punishable by Contempt of Court.