12:09:09	 From  Tom Padgett : HI there!  Is there some part of the plan that will get the jurors technology to participate?  Or will just people who have access to the web and a computer will be our only venire?
12:09:31	 From  Judge Amy Clark Meachum : Yes.  There is slide coming up on that very thing!  
12:13:58	 From  Sara Saltmarsh : If more volunteer mediators are needed, the ADR Section can help, including the mediators who had been volunteering in the Courthouse Mediation Project,
12:14:05	 From  Judge Amy Clark Meachum : Making sure all of our residents have access to technology and wifi to participate as a juror in a trial.  For the pilot program, the Office of Court Administration has offered to provide ipads and wifi for any member of the venire panel who doesn't have it.  Of course, this is an ongoing issue IF we have more than one jury trial each week. But that is one of things we are piloting. Can we do this in a way that gives parties access to a  jury of their peers?
12:14:32	 From  Michelle Cheng : Will the jurors be in their homes?
12:14:32	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Thanks Sara!
12:14:56	 From  Todd Smith : That’s great, Sara! Thank you!
12:14:58	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : That
12:15:16	 From  Shloka Raghavan : Is the technology provided going to be restricted in some way to ensure the jurors are not doing outside research or other web surfing during the trial?
12:15:20	 From  Tom Padgett : How will the OCA identify jurors that have technology issues?
12:15:20	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Juror in the home, yes.
12:15:21	 From  Kennon Wooten : Yes. Thanks very much, Sara!
12:15:39	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : I'm still in!!!
12:15:47	 From  Judge Amy Clark Meachum : Michelle, I think they could be in their homes.  But we are open to any thoughts and ideas from the Bar and the clerk's office about that.   
12:16:02	 From  Tom Padgett : Will the court permit questionnaires?
12:16:24	 From  Nadia Bettac : How do you evaluate that a juror is not just saying they don’t have internet access or a computer just to get out of jury duty?
12:16:25	 From  VELVA PRICE : Questions about the jurors access to technology will be sent ahead prior to the jury trial.
12:16:26	 From  Todd Smith : David Slayton has said the jurors in Judge Emily Miskel’s SJT were very engaged and took it very seriously.
12:16:29	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : I would encourage questionnaires. It will likely save time.
12:16:31	 From  Tom Padgett : How will the public be educated about this so that they respond to the summons?
12:16:42	 From  Len Gabbay : What is the anticipated Jury Selection process (time wise) for these 1-2 day binding trials?
12:16:51	 From  BJ B : Will there be and how will voir dire be handled?
12:17:05	 From  Andrew Gardner : Has there been consideration to handling objections? interjecting can be difficult or impossible via zoom. 
12:17:22	 From  Judge Guerra Gamble : I am expecting that a more robust jury questionnaire will be a part of the voir dire process.
12:17:40	 From  VELVA PRICE : The summons clearly states that the jury trial is remote and they do not have to appear in person.  
12:17:42	 From  Tom Padgett : How will juror deliberations be secure?
12:17:59	 From  Allan Cook : I planned to retire at the end of March, but decided to keep working as long as we on quarantine. You have an informal settlement conference tomorrow?
12:18:23	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Objections are being dealt with in our current remote hearings in typical fashion. Working ok right now.
12:18:51	 From  Judge Karin Crump : Thank you, Sara! Yes, we need mediators. Thank you!
12:19:59	 From  deborah hensley : I think a jury questionnaire would be a very good idea. would parties be able to agree to one jointly? 
12:20:07	 From  Judge Karin Crump : Jurors will likely have their own secure Zoom link, monitored by one court staff member, for deliberations
12:20:43	 From  Tiffany Crouch Bartlett : If this pilot goes well, will we be able to discuss the possibility of longer jury trials, like for Cps termination trials?
12:22:06	 From  Elizabeth Larrick : Will Rules of Evidence apply to SJT presentations?
12:22:46	 From  Judy Kostura : If we have a regular trial setting in the fall, such as October or November, is there still a sense that the trial setting is not that likely to go due to the need to provide CPS dockets a timely jury trial? And that we should reset it if we want to hold out for the option of an in-person setting?
12:22:53	 From  SLB : Have the Travis County Courts already updated local rules based on these virtual hearings and if not, are there any plans to do so? Thank you, Your Honors.
12:23:17	 From  Michelle Cheng : Are witnesses allowed for the SJT option?
12:23:18	 From  Nick Reed : Not a question, but a suggestion to my peers … With the live YouTube streaming hearings and trials daily, it’s really comforting and helpful to watch those passively to get a sense of procedure.  Judge Sulak had a bench trial this week that was very effective and without much modification (didn’t include jurors…but still, pretty great.)  I’ve seen more court room activity in the past few weeks/months than I had cumulatively before.  It’s been a silver lining of this pandemic.
12:23:28	 From  deborah hensley : for witness testimony on a summary jury trial, will direct and cross be limited? in time? 
12:23:35	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : "Updates" to local procedures are spelled out in our emergency orders.
12:23:48	 From  Katy Andre : How is it decided which cases that apply for either option will get the chance? 
12:24:15	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Summary trial will necessarily involve shorter everything!
12:24:52	 From  Bill Rossick : Are there any measures that have been solidified for determining whether the pilot program is a success or at what point we adjust the approach?
12:24:52	 From  Tom Padgett : What does that language look like on the summons?
12:25:00	 From  Tiffany Crouch Bartlett : Will we be able to get more dates after September 14th for the pilot program?
12:25:08	 From  Tom Padgett : When is the summons going to go out?  Or have they already gone out?
12:25:12	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : We hope to have the problem of "which case" goes. Right now we have no takers. Would you like to be first??
12:25:43	 From  Katy Andre : Maybe, Judge!!!
12:25:58	 From  deborah hensley : will County Court cases have this option as well? 
12:26:40	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : We will certainly evaluate the "success" of the pilot.  All aspects of the process will be considered.
12:26:57	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : County Courts are also willing to host a pilot case.
12:27:11	 From  Karen Wang : Could you consider drafting affirmative statements for attorneys to sign and file regarding conduct during the trial, such as not communicating with their client (by text, etc) while the client is actually testifying?
12:27:15	 From  Michelle Cheng : How will voir dire work for these?
12:28:17	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Those "affirmative statements" you mention are already contained in our local "remote hearing" procedures. Any more or new rules may be suggested at the pre-trial hearing for the pilot case.
12:28:19	 From  Tom Padgett : What will be the size of the venire if we are trying to get 6 jurors?  Will there still be challenges for cause?  How will those be handled?
12:28:39	 From  Nikki Maples : Will the jurors be required to appear by video, rather than simply just have their name on the screen?
12:28:48	 From  deborah hensley : they said earlier that their will be 6 jurors and 3 strikes a side. 
12:29:01	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Once a case is chosen, a pre-trial conf. will work out specific issues/procedures.
12:29:21	 From  Nadia Bettac : Having done several depositions via zoom, Karen brings up a good point about coaching.
12:29:32	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : We are very likely to require that all jurors be visible.
12:31:09	 From  Judy Kostura : Are you requiring that those who want a SJT -- with a immediate mediation afterwards -- to have already fulfilled their requirement to have mediated prior to "trial"?
12:31:24	 From  Cindy Veidt : are you still trying to follow the existing jury and non-jury week schedules?
12:31:38	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : No prior mediation required.
12:32:06	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Not for the pilot Cindy V.
12:32:12	 From  Judy Kostura : Thanks, Judge Livingston.
12:32:45	 From  Judge Amy Clark Meachum : As to voir dire, the SJT has some specific rules.  But I think the best idea I have heard (so far) is to bring people in smaller groups, on group at a time.  And there will be a questionnaire and additional information for the panelists on the front end.   We will have to be creative.  I think we would be collaborating with the lawyers on the front end with an involved pre-trial over a couple of weeks.  We are very open to ideas on this.     
12:33:44	 From  Laura Sharp : my touchpad has taken a vacation.  I can't scroll to see if this has been asked, but can the powerpoint be emailed to us?
12:34:05	 From  Michelle Cheng : Judge Meacham, do you mean bring people in smaller groups in person?
12:34:35	 From  Judge Karin Crump : Yes, Laura, I will forward the PowerPoint to the bar to distribute following the CLE
12:35:11	 From  Rachel : Thanks for the Powerpoint.  
12:35:50	 From  Judge Karin Crump : We have requested 55 jurors for each of the pilot dates
12:37:17	 From  Judge Karin Crump : You can request 6 (3 preemptory challenges per side) or 12 jurors (6 preemptory challenges per side) for the binding trial. 6 jurors for the SJTs
12:38:06	 From  Elizabeth Larrick : Will Jurors be excused for COVID19 related reasons - like symptoms? positive test? or if they are taking care of others with COVID19? 
12:38:21	 From  Nadia Bettac : I am assuming that this pilot would not be good for a case that requires an interpreter.
12:38:39	 From  Laura Sharp : how are they going to do new judge school? This is important to me if we get to 2021 without in person hearings/trials.
12:38:43	 From  Justin Demerath : Initial rapport is so important.  Is there any large or outdoor space that the County has identified as possibly available that could be used for a hybrid trial, perhaps voir dire and deliberations in person and socially distanced and the remainder via zoom?
12:38:54	 From  Judge Karin Crump : And, yes, there will still be challenges for cause
12:38:55	 From  Bethbiriah Sanchez : What about utilizing event spaces that aren’t being used: Erwin Center, Palmer Events Center etc for voir dire. Set up many air purifiers and sit people far apart, or even set up clear plastic cubicles for everyone’s safety. Once the panel is selected, those 6/12 are given an ipad and portable wifi (if needed)  and then they can watch the trial from home. 
12:39:08	 From  Len Gabbay : LOL, so no panel members under 30?!
12:39:55	 From  Judge Karin Crump : Yes, jurors may still request excuses for illness
12:40:50	 From  Cindy Veidt : Hey, now! Some of us Gen X grew up with computer tech too
12:41:42	 From  Len Gabbay : What do you all anticipate the time for each side to voir dire a panel of 55 remotely in a 1-2 day Binding Trial?
12:41:51	 From  Tom Padgett : What data?  What study about the participation?
12:42:21	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : OCA--ABOTA sponsored research.
12:42:39	 From  deborah hensley : they said 1 hour earlier for each side. 
12:42:45	 From  Tom Padgett : Thank you Judge. is there a link?
12:42:48	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Details of time limits may be worked out in pre-trial conf.
12:43:00	 From  Joel Pace : I'm curious - is there any discussion about continuing these remote trials and SJT after the pandemic is over? It would seem that these procedures would be helpful additions to the justice system to keep costs down and make dispute resolution more accessible.
12:44:10	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Yes Joel. All options are on the table.
12:44:47	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Check OCA website. Sorry-don't a link handy.
12:44:48	 From  Tom Padgett : Will jurors be permitted to take notes?  If so, how will they be monitored?
12:45:02	 From  Tom Padgett : No worries!  Thanks you Judge Livingston!
12:45:11	 From  Sally Metcalfe : Along those lines, will jurors be permitted to ask questions?
12:45:40	 From  Bill Rossick : One challenge is that while the camera will be on the witness, the jurors may not be able to see the reaction of the parties to the evidence which i think is a key part of a juror’s evaluation of the evidence.  Is there a possibility for the jurors to have multiple views of the “courtroom” simultaneously?
12:46:20	 From  Judge Karin Crump : Sally, yes, during jury selection jurors may ask questions. During trial, it would be up to the parties and/or judge if jurors may ask questions
12:47:19	 From  Glorieni Azeredo : Will the jury selection also be livestreamed onto YouTube?
12:47:29	 From  David L. Wiley, Dallas : I am glad courts are exploring options to keep cases moving.  But personally, I hope this never becomes mandatory.  I understand it is currently not.  Is there any push — by the courts or of which the courts here are aware — to make it mandatory?
12:47:46	 From  Jack Sigman - Gerstle and Snelson : May have missed this earlier, the project will be open to those who'd like to see one in practice? Some clients may not want to be the first in line. 
12:47:48	 From  Elizabeth Larrick : http://www.ncsc-jurystudies.org/jur-e-bulletin-and-more/covid-resources
12:48:26	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Yes Jack. We would love to know what you think when it's over.
12:50:20	 From  Elizabeth Larrick : Current trial held in FL - you can see the virtual jury selection. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFnhOGgotQtzATyt0Iv5GzQ/videos
12:50:35	 From  Eugene Clayborn : What modifications, if any, are you considering making in the plans for the new courts that relate to convid concerns that restrict access to an use of the current courts facilities?
12:50:38	 From  deborah hensley : Can yall post this recording, in case some people are missing today, I think its important that people see this talk. 
12:51:06	 From  Austin Bar : Deborah - yes, we are recording the program today.
12:51:19	 From  Cindy Veidt : Thanks for the links, Elizabeth
12:52:09	 From  Karen Wang : good points I hadn’t considered before re: jurors wearing masks, etc.!
12:53:05	 From  Judge Karin Crump : Thank you for sharing that link, Elizabeth!
12:53:37	 From  deborah hensley : It would be very difficult to judge a jurors veracity if they have a mask on, and to judge their reactions to questions. 
12:54:17	 From  Judge Karin Crump : There is no current plan to make remote trials mandatory, but it is authorized by the Texas Supreme Court, should a judge determine that it is necessary given the circumstances of the case
12:55:38	 From  Tom Padgett : Will lawyers be able to confer with their clients during testimony being presented by the other side?
12:55:55	 From  Elizabeth Larrick : Will cell phones be allowed for jurors to appear? It will be very difficult for those cell phone jurors to see exhibits, or watch more than just the speaker.
12:56:33	 From  Judge Karin Crump : Jurors will need computers. OCA is assisting us by ensuring that all jurors have the technology required to see exhibits
12:58:14	 From  MICHELLE LINGO : Google has or will be launching a new platform that takes the “best” features of Hangouts, Zoom, and other platforms.  I suspect that the Google product might become the most commonly used “got to” platform in the future.
12:58:36	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Breakout rooms are available. More frequent breaks may be required, but constant chatting will be discouraged-at least in my cases. 
12:59:08	 From  Nadia Bettac : will the attorney and their client have to use two separate computers? I have seen attorneys who still bring their clients to their office for virtual depositions. Along those lines will all attorneys and their clients have to be on video?
12:59:41	 From  Kristen Rosado : Thank you!!!
12:59:43	 From  Judge Lora J. Livingston : Details may be worked out at pre-trial conf.
12:59:49	 From  Jack Sigman - Gerstle and Snelson : Thanks so much.
12:59:57	 From  Elizabeth Larrick : Thank you!
13:00:02	 From  Kara O'Shaughnessy : Thank you
13:00:02	 From  Erin Shanley : Thank you, Judges and all!
13:00:04	 From  Rachel : Wow interesting!  
13:00:04	 From  Leigh Mathews Rodriguez : This has been great. Thanks!
13:00:29	 From  Kim Kleinhans : I emailed opposing counsel on two separate cases, hoping to get agreement.  Keith and I would love to be a part of the pilot process.  It is very exciting to hear plans to re-start jury trials. Thank you!
13:01:05	 From  MaitreyaTomlinson : Thanks, everyone! 
13:01:26	 From  Arturo Aviles : Thanks for the presentation. Great to SEE you all. Stay healthy and safe!
13:01:49	 From  Richard Segura : I am interested in how much of the witness' body will be seen by the jurors.  I wonder in terms of demeanor if it makes a difference looking at only a headshot versus looking at the person from a wider view point. 
13:01:51	 From  Ketan Kharod : thanks to the judges and the Austin Bar folks for putting together this presentation.  and to everyone for trying to make this work for everybody.
13:02:04	 From  Eugene Clayborn : Great presentation!
13:02:06	 From  Leslie Dippel : thank you to all the judges for putting on this cle, it has been so informative. we appreciate so much for your willingness to be leaders in this field!
13:02:08	 From  Sarah Anderson : I love Judge Sulak's historical analogies, and thanks to everyone involved in figuring this out!
13:02:38	 From  Austin Bar : Course #: 174091953
13:02:51	 From  Rachel : Can we get a link to this recording?  I'd love to see if one of ours could go.  It would speed things up considerably.  
13:03:13	 From  Austin Bar : Rachel - we are recording, and I should have the video up on the Austin Bar website later today.
13:03:24	 From  Ketan Kharod : can we all please request an in-person special setting with Judge Sulak before the end of the year? I promise to wear a mask. ❤️
13:03:43	 From  Rachel : Thanks!! and thanks to all our hard working judges.
13:04:11	 From  Rachel : Yes too sad there!