Rule 5.531.Appearance by telephone (§ 388; Pen. Code § 2625)

Division 3. Juvenile Rules · Chapter 3. General Conduct of Juvenile Court Proceedings · Last amended 2026 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.531 sets minimum standards for local remote-appearance procedures in juvenile court — though its operative subdivisions are suspended until January 1, 2026.

Full Text of Rule 5.531

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c)

(a) Application

Subdivisions (b) and (c) of this rule are suspended from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2026. During that time, the applicable provisions in rule 3.672 or Welfare and Institutions Code sections 224.2(k) or 679.5, and any rules implementing those statutes, govern remote appearances and proceedings in juvenile court. The standards in (b) apply to any appearance or participation in court by telephone, videoconference, or other digital or electronic means authorized by law.

(b) Standards for local procedures or protocols

Local procedures or protocols must be developed to ensure the fairness and confidentiality of any proceeding in which a party is permitted by statute, rule of court, or judicial discretion to appear by telephone. These procedures or protocols must, at a minimum:

(1) Allow an Indian child’s tribe to appear by telephone or other computerized remote means at no charge in accordance with rule 5.482(g). The method of appearance may be determined by the court consistent with court capacity and contractual obligations, and taking account of the capacity of the tribe, as long as a method of effective remote appearance and participation sufficient to allow the tribe to fully exercise its rights is provided;

(2) Ensure that the party appearing by telephone can participate in the hearing in real time, with no delay in aural or, if any, visual transmission or reception;

(3) Ensure that the statements of participants are audible to all other participants and court staff and that the statements made by a participant are identified as being made by that participant;

(4) Ensure that the proceedings remain confidential as required by law;

(5) Establish a deadline of no more than three court days before the proceeding for notice to the court by the party or party’s attorney (if any) of that party’s intent to appear by telephone, and permit that notice to be conveyed by any method reasonably calculated to reach the court, including telephone, fax, or other electronic means;

(6) Permit the party, on a showing of good cause, to appear by telephone even if he or she did not provide timely notice of intent to appear by telephone;

(7) Permit a party to appear in person for a proceeding at the time and place for which the proceeding was noticed, even if that party had previously notified the court of an intent to appear by telephone;

(8) Ensure that any hearing at which a party appears by telephone is recorded and reported to the same extent and in the same manner as if he or she had been physically present;

(9) Ensure that the party appearing by telephone is able to communicate confidentially with his or her attorney (if any) during the proceeding and provide timely notice to all parties of the steps necessary to secure confidential communication; and

(10) Provide for the development of the technological capacity to accommodate appearances by telephone that comply with the requirements of this rule.

Nothing in this rule confers on any person an independent right to appear by telephone, videoconference, or other electronic means in any proceeding.

End

Plain-English Summary

Read the application provision first: subdivisions (b) and (c) are suspended from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2026, and during that time the general remote appearance rule and the juvenile statutes govern instead. The standards in (b) apply to any appearance by telephone, videoconference, or other electronic means authorized by law.

Those standards are practical requirements rather than aspirations. A tribe must be able to appear remotely at no charge, by a method sufficient to let it fully exercise its rights. The remote participant must be able to take part in real time with no delay; statements must be audible to everyone and identified as that person’s; the proceedings must remain confidential as law requires; and the hearing must be recorded and reported exactly as if the person were physically present.

Two provisions protect the person appearing. They must be able to communicate confidentially with their attorney during the proceeding, with timely notice to all parties of the steps needed to secure that. And having given notice of intent to appear remotely, they may still appear in person at the time and place noticed.

Notice of intent is due no more than three court days before, by any method reasonably calculated to reach the court — and late notice is excused on a showing of good cause. The closing subdivision is a limit: nothing in the rule confers an independent right to appear remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appear remotely in juvenile court?

Subdivisions (b) and (c) of rule 5.531 are suspended from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2026; during that period rule 3.672 and the juvenile statutes govern remote appearances. Nothing in the rule confers an independent right to appear remotely.

Can I talk to my lawyer privately if I appear by phone?

Yes — local procedures must ensure a party appearing remotely can communicate confidentially with their attorney during the proceeding, and must give timely notice of the steps needed to secure that.

Does a tribe pay to appear remotely?

No. Local procedures must allow an Indian child’s tribe to appear by telephone or other remote means at no charge.

What if I gave notice but want to come in person?

Local procedures must permit a party to appear in person at the time and place for which the proceeding was noticed, even after notifying the court of an intent to appear remotely.

Amendment History

Rule 5.531 amended effective January 1, 2026; adopted effective January 1, 2012; previously amended effective January 1, 2021, January 1, 2022, and August 4, 2023.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2026; previously effective January 1, 2022, and August 4, 2023.) (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2021.)

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: remote appearance juvenile court Californiatelephone appearance dependencytribal remote appearance no charge