Google Meet
Remote Hearings
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The following represent questions frequently posed to the Office of Administrative Hearings.

1. What is Google Meet?
2. What equipment do I need to participate?
3. How will I know when to join the proceeding?
4. How will my witnesses appear at the proceeding?
5. How will my exhibits become part of the record?
6. How will my witness see the exhibits?
7. What if one of my witnesses does not have a computer or smartphone?

1. What is Google Meet?
   
   Google Meet is a web-based audio and video conferencing tool that allows each participant in the hearing to see and hear the other participants.
   
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2. What equipment do I need to participate?
   
   To participate, you need an email address, and you must provide that email address to the OAH. You will need a computer with an internet connection and a web camera. You may also participate with a smartphone by downloading the Google Meet app from your phone’s play store.
   
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3. How will I know when to join the proceeding?
   
   The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), who is assigned to conduct your proceeding, will email you an invitation to join the meeting 15-30 minutes before it is scheduled to start. The email will contain a link that says: “Join the Meeting.”
   
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4. How will my witnesses appear at the proceeding?
   
   You are responsible for notifying your witnesses of the date and time of the proceeding. Each witness must have an email address. When you receive the email invitation from the ALJ, you can forward that email to your witnesses. Each witness may join the meeting separately at the time you and the ALJ determine is best.
   
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5. How will my exhibits become part of the record?
   
   The OAH Rules of Procedure require that the parties to a video hearing send any non-testimonial evidence to the OAH and the other party ten days in advance of the hearing. See COMAR 28.02.01.20B(4). During the proceeding, the ALJ will rule on the admissibility of each exhibit that was filed prior to the hearing.
   
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6. How will my witness see the exhibits?
   
   Each party should ensure that their witness has a copy of the exhibits. Additionally, each person in the meeting has the ability to share their computer screen with the other participants.
   
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7. What if one of my witnesses does not have a computer or smartphone?
   
   Each Google Meet invitation includes two options for joining the meeting, one for video and one for telephone. If you have a witness who can only participate by phone, notify the ALJ at the beginning of the proceeding. The ALJ will make a determination based on the facts of the case and the circumstances of each witness.
   
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