The first national review of data that confirms what judges have anecdotally shared about remote hearings before and during the pandemic. The 12-month study analyzed both 1.25 million minutes of judicial data and focus group feedback from judges and court leaders in eight counties across Texas. The National Center for State Courts (NSCS) study, supported with funding from the State Justice Institute, found that remote proceedings take about a third longer than in-person hearings largely due to technology-related issues and lack of preparation by participants. But the study also found that remote proceedings take longer because they increase access to justice, as litigants can more easily attend and participate in hearings. To read NCSC’s full report, visit: TX-Remote-Hearing-Assesment-Report.pdf (ncsc.org).

The Use of Remote Hearings in Texas State Courts: The Impact on Judicial Workload