NC Courts Begin New Remote Hearing Process To Streamline Operations
This week, the North Carolina courts published a new statewide form that standardizes the request for virtual court appearances to support public access to justice. Remote hearing is a proven tool to improve court efficiency and public access, to avoid delays to logistics. In criminal matters, county sheriffs, the State Crime Lab, and other law enforcement partners can reduce costs and improve public safety by limiting defendant transportation.
“Creating a modern process of requesting and granting access to remote hearings through electronic filing of statewide forms provides convenient solutions for North Carolinians in every county,” said NCAOC Director Ryan S. Boyce.
In February 2026, the following forms became available on NCCourts.Gov:
The virtual hearings are enhanced by the state’s new cloud access to electronic filing and case records; together the modernization leverage a growing technology infrastructure to make North Carolina a leader in public judicial services.
The Courtroom Audio Visual Experience (CRAVE) project of the Chief Justice’s Task Force on Remote Proceedings installed immersive audio video infrastructure in more than 200 North Carolina courtrooms. CRAVE courtrooms are equipped with cameras, microphones, and monitors for hybrid hearings. Judicial Branch facilities and employees are supplemented with laptop and desktop devices to support fully remote hearings from clerk’s offices, judges’ chambers, and other facilities.
To file, search, and pay in North Carolina courts, visit NCCourts.Gov.
