Clayton County State Court Walks Defendants Through Zoom Chat, Breakout Rooms During June 3 Arraignments

On June 3, 2025, Clayton County State Court used Zoom to manage an arraignment and jail calendar docket, with Judge Tammy Long Hayward and courtroom staff giving step-by-step instructions so remote defendants could communicate with attorneys and court staff.

Judge Hayward walked multiple defendants through using the Zoom chat feature, telling them to open the chat pull-down, select "Courtroom 304," and include their first and last name, phone number and email so counsel could contact them. She also explained that defendants would receive invitations to breakout rooms for private conferences with attorneys: "When you see the invitation that flashes up on your screen, just go into the breakout room, and you can have a private conversation with the attorney," she said.

Court staff and defense counsel used breakout rooms to hold conferences with defendants who were awaiting pleas or needed case-specific discussions. The judge instructed defendants to mute their devices while communicating with counsel, noted that some attorneys were sending contact details through direct messages, and directed clerks to record contact information so sentencing sheets or plea paperwork could be emailed later.

The remote process also included handling bench-warrant recalls by agreement of the parties, appointment of counsel when needed, and scheduling of follow-up appearances and probation check-ins. The court repeatedly emphasized that defendants must provide accurate contact information and should check email for follow-up instructions and payment or reporting deadlines.