Proceedings in all cases assigned to Judge Grant are currently being held in Fort Wayne. Although the most common and useful method of participating in a scheduled manner is to physically appear, the court recognizes that this may not always be convenient, and some attorneys are not interested in associating with local counsel who could appear on their behalf. In some instances, it may be possible to participate in a scheduled non-evidentiary hearing or pre-trial conference remotely either by phone or video. The court regards this as a convenience and a courtesy, not the preferred order of business. Whether or not such participation will be permitted depends upon things such as the nature of the proceeding the issues involved, how it has been scheduled, the number of participants and where the case is pending. Proceedings scheduled in Hammond, South Bend and Lafayette cases are treated differently than proceedings scheduled in cases pending in the Fort Wayne division. Those not actively participating who may wish to "observe" non-evidentiary proceedings without travelling to Fort Wayne may listen to a live audio transmission via YouTube at https://innb.us/fwlive (link is external)
For proceedings in Hammond, South Bend and Lafayette in cases assigned to Judge Grant: While appearing in person is always preferable, for those matters where the court will not be receiving evidence (matters scheduled on the court’s miscellaneous calendar, preliminary hearings, pretrial conferences, status conferences, etc.) those actively participating in the hearing - either by filing or responding to the material matter being heard - may appear remotely by video via Cisco Meet. Those wishing to do so must register with the court no later than 24 hours before the hearing at Remote Hearing Registration. Late registrations will not be accepted. A separate registration is required for each hearing the individual plans to attend remotely. Upon successfully registering, registrants will be sent an email confirming the registration and providing a link to the hearing. Registrants may also receive a second email reminding them of the registration one day prior to the scheduled hearing. Telephonic participation is not available for Judge Grant’s proceedings in Hammond, South Bend or Lafayette cases. It is only available for proceedings in cases pending in the Fort Wayne division. Remote participation is not an option for trials, evidentiary hearings and other matters where the court will be receiving evidence and all those participating in such proceeding will need to appear in person.
Video participants must be dressed in attire appropriate for a courtroom; video cameras must be turned on when addressing the court; and microphones must be muted when not speaking. Individuals should not announce their presence until the case they are participating in has been called.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY ANY INDIVIDUAL RECORD OR ALLOW THE RECORDING OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN ANY WAY. Doing so will be regarded as contempt of court and is sanctionable.
For proceedings in Fort Wayne Division: Although video participation is not an option for cases pending in the Fort Wayne division, participating by telephone may be. Proceedings which are suitable for telephonic participation generally require the matter to be scheduled by itself, not simply as one of a larger number of hearings scheduled for a particular time. They should not require the presentation of testimony or evidence and should involve only a limited number of participants who can be identified prior to the hearing. Counsel wishing to appear by phone should contact Judge Grant’s chambers’ staff in order to determine whether a telephonic appearance will be permitted. (Counsel should remember to do this sufficiently in advance of the scheduled proceeding so that if the answer is “no” they can arrange to attend in person.) If a telephonic appearance will be permitted, the caller is expected to contact all other participants in the scheduled proceeding in order to advise them of that fact, so that they too can have the opportunity to participate by phone, should they wish to do so. Those other participants should then notify chambers of that intention. All participants choosing to appear by phone must call 571-353-2301, access code 779094048, at the appropriate date and time and wait quietly for the case to be called.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY ANY INDIVIDUAL RECORD OR ALLOW THE RECORDING OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN ANY WAY. Doing so will be regarded as contempt of court and is sanctionable.