Virtual Court
Courtroom Access
The City of Sugar Land Municipal Court is conducting remote proceedings using the Zoom application. This requires that both audio and video capabilities are enabled, so please ensure that your device has both prior to appearing at your scheduled court appearance.
Click the link below to Access the Virtual Courtroom:
Morning Court Check-in
Check-in for remote proceedings will begin at 8:00 AM and is cut off promptly at 9:00 AM. You will NOT be checked in for court if you log in after 9:00 AM.
Please be sure that you have audio and video capabilities enabled and please do not leave your device unattended. If your device is unattended or if your audio is not working when you are called for check-in, the next person will be called.
Once you have accessed the courtroom, you will be prompted to register. Please register with your name and last name as it appears on the citation. Once you have registered, you will be taken to the virtual waiting room where you will remain until the clerk admits you for check-in. The waiting room is a white screen with the court seal so if you see this, you’re in the right place, please do not disconnect.
Virtual Courtroom Expectations and Information
- Proper courtroom etiquette and proper courtroom attire are REQUIRED.
- Virtual court hearings are streamed live to YouTube to comply with the State of Texas "Open Court" requirements.
- Do not leave your device unattended to ensure that you do not miss your turn. If it is necessary to leave your device unattended, please make sure you are in the position to hear when your name is called. If you do not answer when your name is called, the next person will be called.
- Please be patient, remote court is similar to in-person court in that you will have to wait for your turn.
- As you enter the virtual courtroom, your profile will be muted. Although, you have control to mute and unmute, PLEASE remain muted until a staff member asks you to unmute.
- You have a chat feature. You may receive directions through this chat feature.
- If you have been checked in and somehow get disconnected, simply log in using the same credentials and we will admit you back into the Virtual Courtroom as soon as possible.
Virtual Court Process
Initial Appearance - If this is your first appearance at court, you will be speaking with the Prosecutor privately in a breakout room. A notification asking you to “Join Breakout room”, will pop up on your device. Please be watchful for the prompt and click on it to be taken into the breakout room.
After you speak with the Prosecutor, they will instruct you to exit the breakout room and re-enter the main court session. The Judge will then call your name when he is ready to accept your plea and render his/her order(s).
The court will e-mail your paperwork by the end of the business day.
Compliance Docket - These are cases where action has been taken. You will not be speaking to the Prosecutor and will instead be returned back into the virtual waiting room until it is your turn to speak with the Judge in the main session.
The court will e-mail your paperwork by the end of the business day.
Recording Court Proceedings
No person, other than the court reporter, may record a court proceeding without the court’s permission. This prohibition applies to all persons, including members of the public viewing court proceedings on any court’s live stream and to persons with the ability to record any virtual court proceeding. Any person found to be in violation of this order faces contempt proceedings, including a fine of up to $100 and a sentence of confinement for up to three (3) days in jail for each act of contempt of court.
Note: The remote appearance is not optional and neglecting to appear will have the same consequences as not appearing at an in-person proceeding. Alternatively, options for handling a citation prior to a court date, can be found here, on the court’s website. (See FAQ, Dismissals, Payment Information on the main page of this website.)
Please call the court at (281) 275-2560, for more information on video conferencing court appearances or read about appearing remotely on the "Your Rights" page of this website.
Need Help?
If you need help with utilizing zoom, please watch the instructional video to the right.
If you have been checked in and somehow get disconnected, simply log in using the same credentials and we will admit you back into the Virtual Courtroom as soon as possible.
If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone, you are welcome to come into court and use our computer.
For all other assistance needs, please call us at 281-275-2560.