Virtual Hearing Instructions

Prepare for Your Hearing:

• To prepare for your hearing, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the contents of your Application for Clemency.
  
  
• When your hearing is scheduled, you will receive a link to join the session from our office.
  
  
• Make sure you have a good internet connection. If you do not have a device or internet access:
• Locate a public library near you
• Check shipping stores like UPS and FedEx. They may have rental workstations available.
• Contact your local state legislator to see if they can help.
  
  
• Be sure that the device you are using is charged.
  
  
• If you do not have Zoom you can download it here.
  
  
• Please be sure to have Zoom installed, setup and ready to go prior to your hearing.
  
  
• If you need assistance getting started with a Zoom meeting, please view the following tutorial.
  
  
• If you have individuals that wish to show their support, they may attend alongside you during your virtual hearing; however, due to time constraints, it is the desire of this Board that they express their support in writing and submit it to the Board of Pardons office at least two (2) weeks prior to the hearing.
  

Joining Zoom Session:

• When you join, you will be placed in the waiting room until the Board is ready to hear your case.
  Please note:  The time each case takes varies depending on questions from the Board, technical difficulties, etc., therefore, it is difficult to predict how long an applicant can expect to wait.
  
  
• Once the session begins, the Lieutenant Governor will provide opening remarks.
  
  
• Because applicants sometimes fail to appear or have difficulties connecting, your case may be called sooner than you expect once the session starts. It is very important that you actively monitor Zoom while you are in the waiting room.
  

During Your Hearing:

• When the Board is ready to hear your case, the session moderator will let you in.

• When you join, the session moderator will then prompt you to unmute yourself and start your video so the Board can hear and see you during your hearing.
  
  
• When you are admitted and introduced, the Lieutenant Governor will turn it over to the rest of the Board for questions they may have. In some cases, given the relatively straight forward nature of the crimes and the fact that they occurred some time ago, a hearing may go very quickly. We do wish to confirm that extensive preparation for the session has been done by each member of the Board prior to the hearing.
  
  
• If you are represented by counsel, you must begin your presentation by addressing the Board and responding to the Board's questions. If counsel wishes to add anything relevant to your presentation or to summarize, counsel may request permission to speak following your presentation and responses to any questions by the Board.

• If you are having technical difficulties, the session moderator will place you back in the waiting room so you can resolve the issue(s). The moderator will come back to you at the end of the session to try again. If you are still having technical issues, your case may be continued to another hearing day or session.
  

Technical Difficulties:

We Can’t See You:  During your hearing the Board must be able to see you.

• Does your device have a camera?
• If so, is the camera enabled and working properly?
• If you are using a laptop device, make sure the lens cover is open.
  

We Can't Hear You:  During your hearing the Board may have questions for you.

• Does your device have a microphone?
• If so, is the microphone enabled and working properly?
  

You Can't Hear Us:   During your hearing the Board may discuss your case and have questions.

• Does your device use speakers?
• Are your speakers turned on?
• Do you have the volume turned up?
  

We Hear Delays & Feedback:  Typically, this happens when you have more than one instance of the session running at a time.