LawBank Hosts a Judicial Panel with Judge Adam Espinosa, Justice Melissa Hart, and Former Judge Sean Connelly, and Moderated by David Seserman
As part of the LawBank Trial Series, members of the local judiciary took part in a lunchtime panel on August 10, 2020. Participating judges included Judge Adam Espinosa of Denver County Court, Justice Melissa Hart of Colorado Supreme Court, and former Judge Sean Connelly of Colorado Court of Appeals. The panel was moderated by LawBank member and civil trial attorney David Seserman.
The panel discussed how COVID-19 is affecting courts and how judges are conducting hearings from home. Colorado is a local control state, which makes it hard to have the same virtual court procedures in all counties. However, the participating judges provided advice and best practice suggestions for remote hearings. Justice Melissa Hart discussed the importance of looking at the justices throughout webinar hearings so that you can easily determine when they have a question. Pro Se parties and people without access to the internet were also discussed. Courts are attempting to provide this population with computers and phones to make them more accessible. In-person hearings will be a rare exception in COVID times. Civil juries are on hold as criminal cases have a more immediate timeframe. The panel explored how hearing and trial exhibits are being exchanged and handled in a remote environment. Currently, they are managed through communication between the parties, and the exchange of exhibits takes place prior to the hearing.
Other questions the panel addressed included the type of Continuing Judicial Education they participate in and how much reading of case materials is done electronically versus printed. The judges confirmed that they are required to have 45 CLE credits every three years. They disclosed that hyperlinking in briefs makes it easier for the reader and that the record on appeals being hyperlinked is helpful.
To view the complete presentation, click here. Visit the events page to view upcoming programs hosted by LawBank.
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