Judges say Zoom and Odyssey have reduced travel but present limits for testimony and connectivity

Magistrate judges told the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee that remote hearings by Zoom and the state's Odyssey case-management system have reduced travel time but present limits and occasional technical problems that affect hearings and files access.

Judge Neil Randall and others said Zoom has decreased travel demands and allowed some administrative hearings to be tried remotely, but that judges prefer in-person testimony for matters that require witness credibility assessments. "There's only so much you can do by Zoom," Randall said, adding that he does not allow Zoom for hearings that require live testimony because of the need to assess body language and credibility.

Judges also praised Odyssey for enabling remote file review and electronic signatures on warrants, but described connectivity issues through county firewalls that occasionally require IT intervention. "The thing that I like about it is that it allows me to read my files remotely no matter where I'm at," one judge told the committee, while also noting intermittent Wi‑Fi and firewall problems that sometimes require calls to the Supreme Court or county IT support.

Committee members asked whether remote access had led to lax courtroom behavior and how judges were addressing that concern. Judges said they sometimes order in-person appearances when participants appear inattentive, wearing casual clothing, or conducting other activities during a Zoom hearing.

The judges told senators that technology has been a net benefit for rural districts but said policy and technical improvements are needed to preserve formality, ensure reliable connectivity and protect the integrity of testimony.