How Texas Courts Went Virtual
Feb 14, 2021
In a West Texas district court Zoom hearing on Tuesday, an unexpected face joined the meeting: a cat. Or, more accurately, 69-year-old Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton, trapped in a virtual filter. His face replaced with the countenance of a somber feline, the lawyer assured the judge, “I’m here live; I’m not a cat.”
The internet exploded with laughter. But as Texas courts have transitioned online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are serious concerns and opportunities regarding access to justice.