FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida judge is asking attorneys to get out of bed and put on some clothes when they show up for court hearings on Zoom.
Broward County's courts are using the video conferencing site for hearings during the coronavirus pandemic.
Circuit Judge Dennis Bailey complained in a letter to the Weston Bar Association that one male lawyer appeared shirtless and a female attorney was still in bed and under the covers.
"It is remarkable how many ATTORNEYS appear inappropriately on camera. We've seen many lawyers in casual shirts and blouses, with no concern for ill-grooming, in bedrooms with the master bed in the background, etc.," Baily wrote in a statement on the Weston Bar Association Website. "One male lawyer appeared shirtless and one female attorney appeared still in bed, still under the covers."
He says a beach cover-up won't hide that a lawyer is poolside in a bathing suit.
"So, please, if you don't mind, let's treat court hearings as court hearings, whether Zooming or not," Baily said.
Broward County courts have held about 1,200 court hearings with 14,000 participants on Zoom since last month.
