Vt. Ct. Admin'r Directive TC-3

STATE OF VERMONT

JUDICIARY DIRECTIVE FOR PUBLIC

ACCESS TO COURT PROCEEDINGS

Pursuant to the authority set forth in Supreme Court Administrative Orders 3 and 18, effective as of

this date, the State Court Administrator and Chief Superior Judge direct as follows:

Purpose

The Vermont Judiciary has ended its declaration of judicial emergency and has resumed in-person

proceedings throughout the courts. In addition to in-person proceedings, there are also remote

proceedings which are conducted entirely on video conferencing software, as well as “hybrid”

hearings which are also conducted on video conferencing software as a remote hearing, but which

involve one or more of the participants being present in the courtroom for the proceeding.

The purpose of this Directive is to assure that the public, including the media, is provided access to

all non-confidential Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate and Judicial Bureau proceedings, whether they

are conducted in-person, remotely, or as a hybrid proceeding.

Effective as of this date, the Vermont Judiciary adopts the following policy and procedures for

public access to court proceedings:

1. Public Access - The public shall have access to attend all hearings which are not confidential

or are otherwise closed to the public.

2. In-Person Proceedings – If a matter is being held as an in-person proceeding the public is

entitled to be present in the courtroom to observe the proceeding. Video conferencing

software will not be used for in-person proceedings unless the judge directs, for example to

facilitate the testimony of a witness. The use of video conferencing software or other

electronic platform to facilitate the testimony of a witness in an in-person proceeding does

not alter its status as an in-person proceeding for purposes of public access under this

Directive. When video conferencing software is used as part of an in-person proceeding the

remote meeting details will not be shared, nor will in-person proceedings be livestreamed.

3. Hybrid Proceedings - If a matter is being held as a hybrid proceeding, the public is entitled to

be present in the courtroom to observe the proceeding. In addition to the option of being

present in the courtroom, the public may observe a hybrid proceeding remotely through

Administrative Directive No. TC-3

(as amended March 13, 2026)

State Court Administrator

Chief Superior Judge

video conferencing software, or, in limited cases, as a livestream on the Judiciary’s YouTube

channel if it is broadcast in that manner as provided for infra.

4. Remote Proceedings - If a matter is being held as a remote proceeding, the public may observe

the proceeding remotely through video conferencing software or, in limited cases, as a

livestream on the Judiciary’s YouTube channel if it is broadcast in the manner as provided for

infra.

5. Obtaining Access - Members of the public may contact the court clerk to obtain the remote

meeting details to access a non-confidential remote/hybrid proceeding. Information about

proceedings that will be livestreamed will be available on the Judiciary's YouTube channel at

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/youtube.

6. Livestreaming –

a. There are times when there is significant public interest in a remote or hybrid

proceeding. If it is anticipated that a large number of members of the public may

wish to join a remote or hybrid proceeding via video conferencing software, the

judicial officer can request that the proceeding be livestreamed on the Judiciary’s

YouTube channel. These requests shall be made to the Chief Superior Judge and the

Chief of Trial Court Operations who shall determine whether a livestream will be

authorized. If a livestream is approved, information about proceedings that will be

livestreamed will be available on the Judiciary's YouTube channel at

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/youtube.

b. The YouTube content from a livestream will be deleted immediately after it airs. A

watermark may appear on the livestream feed reading “COPYING IS PROHIBITED”,

“DO NOT COPY”, or other words to that effect. Video or audio recording by any party,

attorney, or any member of the public, through any device or format is strictly

prohibited. Failure to comply with this policy may result in the imposition of

sanctions or in a finding of contempt.

7. Media - Members of the media may attend court proceedings in the same fashion as members

of the public. The current rules governing recording and transmitting by the media and the

public shall apply at all in-person, hybrid and remote hearings.

This Administrative Directive is effective as of this date.

Dated: March 13, 2026

_________________________________________________

Therese Corsones, Esq.

State Court Administrator

_______________________________________

Hon. Thomas A. Zonay

Superior Court Judge