A press release from the McHenry County Circuit Court::

CourtCall® to be Utilized by all Civil Division Courtrooms in the 22nd Judicial Circuit

The seal of the 22nd Circuit Court.

On September 1, 2015, the Circuit Court Of the 22nd Judicial Circuit will expand the use of CourtCall® into all of the civil division courtrooms.

This is after the successful completion of a pilot project involving Circuit Judge Michael J. Chmiel and Associate Judge Thomas A. Meyer, who pioneered the use of CourtCall® in McHenry County.

Presently, the 22nd Judicial Circuit is the only circuit in Illinois CourtCall® enables attorneys to seamlessly simulate an in-person court appearance using both telephonic and streaming video technology in the courtroom.

There is with no discernible disruption in the business of the Court, all at no cost to the Court.

Attorneys pay a reasonable fixed fee, per hearing, to file with CourtCall® the Request for a CourtCall® Appearance form in advance and an attorney may make a CourtCall® Appearance.

While stream-lining procedures for the Court, CourtCall® Appearances also enable lawyers to avoid travel, traffic and weather conditions creating substantial litigation cost savings for clients.

Video conferencing offers all the benefits of a telephonic appearance, with an added visual element for judges and participating parties.

Attorneys, interested parties and others involved in matters scheduled before the court have the opportunity to view proceedings and judges have the ability to see remote participants.

In courtrooms where video is permitted, the judge’s bench is equipped with a monitor and operator-supported, state-of-the-art software, providing real-time streaming video, thereby allowing judges to simulate a typical day in court.

“This is a significant step for the court.

“The successful implementation of the pilot project proved that the use of technology for telephonic and video appearances aid the court in managing the caseload, reduces the number of people coming to the Courthouse, and ultimately save litigants expensive travel costs incurred by their attorneys,” said Dan Wallis, Trial Court Administrator.

CourtCall® began the telephonic court appearance industry in 1995 as a means to assist in the reduction of costs, by making routine, non-evidentiary pre-trial appearances more cost effective for clients and more manageable for busy attorneys. CourtCall’s proprietary Remote Appearance Platform is designed to serve the specific needs of the Court with the latest ommunication technologies. Having completed millions of appearances for thousands of Judges, CourtCall® continues to benefit legal communities of all sizes, throughout the United States, Canada and worldwide.

Attorneys from Chicago or other locations will no longer have to drive to the courthouse for these routine matters.

The Court has adopted a local rule of court and an administrative order which outlines the use of CourtCall®. For additional information, please contact Dan Wallis, Trial Court Administrator at 815-334-4385.