Videoconferencing technology has been installed in the Phoenix and Tucson courthouses (General Order 98-56). These are "open" systems and can initiate or receive calls to and from each other, as well as to and from any compatible VTC system. The Court has installed eleven videoconferencing systems at the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Complex (CoreCivic) in Florence, Arizona. The CoreCivic systems are "closed" and can only receive calls initiated from the VTC systems located in the Phoenix and Tucson courthouses to which they are directly linked. The priority use of the VTC equipment is as follows:
1. Judicial Officer meetings, prisoner civil rights hearings, and other civil and criminal case related court proceedings.
2. Court administrative matters as authorized by the Clerk, which would include administrative use by the United States Marshal.
3. Presentence and parole interviews with federal defendants by United States Probation Officers; bail review interviews with federal defendants by United States Pretrial Services Officers.
The Office of the Clerk of Court will administer the videoconferencing program for the District Court. The Systems Technology Department will serve as the courthouse VTC Coordinators and will work under the direction and supervision of the Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerks. The Court's VTC equipment is located as follows:
Sandra Day O'Connor U. S. Courthouse
401 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Evo A. DeConcini U. S. Courthouse
405 W. Congress Street
Tucson, AZ 85701
Videoconferencing Availability to Others
The VTC system will be made available for conferencing when not in use by judicial officers. Use of the system is offered to:
- Clerk's Office staff
- U. S. Probation staff
- U. S. Pretrial Services staff
- U. S. Marshals' staff
- United States Attorney
- Federal Public Defender
- CJA Panel Attorneys
- Other defense counsel
Scheduling
All requests to use the VTC equipment will be made to the appropriate VTC Coordinators, who will maintain the schedule and approve requests based on availability and priority. Reservations will be accepted with the understanding that they are subject to change based on the Court's schedule. Hours of VTC operation will generally be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays.
To reserve the VTC equipment, the following procedures will apply:
1. For a court hearing from another district, a court order from the requesting district is required. At this time, we are able to accommodate VTC requests from other districts in criminal cases only. Please contact the individuals below as soon as an order has been filed. Be prepared to provide the contact information for an individual at the requesting district. All VTC requests, even those with a court order, will be subject to court approval.
Mags Everette: mags_everette@azd.uscourts.gov (602-322-7100)
Backup: VTC_Helpdesk@azd.uscourts.gov
2. For CJA attorneys or retained attorneys on a criminal case, provide inmate name and U.S. Marshal number along with suggested dates and times attorney is available. VTCs are NOT available between 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (M-F) and must be scheduled 48 hours in advance. Contact the CJA department at:
CJA Department: Corecivic-CJA@azd.uscourts.gov (602-322-7150)
3. Scheduling for U.S. Probation staff is handled by probation staff.
4. Scheduling for Federal Public Defender's Office is handled by FPD staff.
5. For scheduling for the following offices:
- Clerk's Office
- U. S. Pretrial Services
- U. S. Marshals
- United States Attorney
Contact the VTC Coordinator either by phone or e-mail and be prepared to provide the number of expected participants, the date and time for your requested VTC reservation, and a point of contact. VTC_Helpdesk@azd.uscourts.gov
Note: Users of the equipment will be expected to operate the equipment as instructed by the VTC Coordinator.
Cancellation - At least a 24 hour advance notice is required when canceling a reservation.