Clayton judge tells Zoom participants to rename, mute and use breakout rooms as calendar proceeds

Judge Tammy Long Hayward spent an early portion of the Sept. 15 calendar instructing participants in the virtual Zoom session how to rename themselves, mute devices and use breakout rooms.

The judge told attendees that she could not identify people labeled with phone models or nicknames and asked every participant to click the three‑dot menu on their Zoom tile, select “Rename” and enter their first and last names so the court could confirm presence and avoid erroneous bench warrants. She repeatedly asked participants to mute devices until called and explained how the court would use breakout rooms to allow private attorney‑client conferences, probation intake, and other administrative communications during the calendar call.

The court also walked at least one defendant (Nathaniel Streeter) through using Zoom’s chat function to exchange contact information with a defense attorney when the defendant lacked counsel; the judge then appointed counsel. The judge warned that failing to update contact information or to appear when called can result in forfeiture of recognizance or a bench warrant being issued.