Texts in Court
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Texts in Court (by Rande [VA]) May 16, 2025 8:17 AM
       Texts in Court (by WMH [NC]) May 16, 2025 8:25 AM
       Texts in Court (by Jason [VA]) May 16, 2025 8:26 AM
       Texts in Court (by Doogie [KS]) May 16, 2025 8:31 AM
       Texts in Court (by plenty [MO]) May 16, 2025 9:24 AM
       Texts in Court (by zero [IN]) May 16, 2025 9:54 AM
       Texts in Court (by Scott [IN]) May 16, 2025 10:09 AM
       Texts in Court (by Rande Young [VA]) May 16, 2025 10:19 AM
       Texts in Court (by Robin [WI]) May 16, 2025 12:44 PM
       Texts in Court (by zero [IN]) May 17, 2025 9:33 AM
       Texts in Court (by GKARL [PA]) May 17, 2025 10:56 AM
       Texts in Court (by tryan [MA]) May 18, 2025 10:19 AM
       Texts in Court (by Phil [OR]) May 18, 2025 4:57 PM
       Texts in Court (by Mapleaf18 [NY]) May 18, 2025 7:44 PM
       Texts in Court (by MC [PA]) May 20, 2025 6:33 AM
       Texts in Court (by Jeffrey [VA]) May 20, 2025 7:33 AM
       Texts in Court (by Rande [VA]) May 20, 2025 8:37 AM
       Texts in Court (by Jeffrey [VA]) May 20, 2025 10:35 AM
       Texts in Court (by Ken Post [CA]) May 20, 2025 9:31 PM
       Texts in Court (by Rande [VA]) May 20, 2025 10:31 PM
       Texts in Court (by Traci [FL]) May 20, 2025 11:02 PM
       Texts in Court (by Chris [VA]) May 21, 2025 2:56 PM
       Texts in Court (by Jonathan [NJ]) May 21, 2025 5:42 PM
       Texts in Court (by Jonathan [NJ]) May 21, 2025 5:46 PM

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Texts in Court (by Rande [VA]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 8:17 AM
Message:

I have to go to court next week and need to use text message

as supporting information. I wonder what is your experience in doing so, any advise on this subject. Many thanks!

--173.73.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 8:25 AM
Message:

Call and ask how your judge wants it handled. I've seen them read them in court, I've seen them refuse cell phones, I've seen them ban them from court (not all of these in eviction cases, these are all just in general.) --173.28.xx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Jason [VA]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 8:26 AM
Message:

In my experience, telephones aren't allowed into the courtroom. However, this is an advantage of using google voice: You can open it from a computer and easily print off screen shots. Be prepared by taking pictures of the text conversation and having those pictures as evidence in the likely event you aren't allowed to bring your phone. --165.85.xxx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Doogie [KS]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 8:31 AM
Message:

My experience with this is that it must be downloaded and printed. It cannot be a cell phone shown in court. The court likes to keep evidence and cannot keep my phone.

I simply take screen shots and email them to myself. Then, I can print out the .jpg files. It shows at the top who I am communicating with, then all the messages. Might be best to have a little before and a little after the conversation you are wanting entered into evidence. This will prove nothing was said before or after what you are showing that relates to the topic in interest. Print 3 copies (one for defense, judge and yourself).

As WMH said, it is judge specific though. Make sure the format is what your judge prefers.

--107.207.xx.xx




Texts in Court (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 9:24 AM
Message:

Since I am not computer savvy I screen shot the text threads and send the pictures to Walgreens to print out. Then they can be copied. Or print three sets there are coupons for discounts. Usually 50%off --172.59.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by zero [IN]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 9:54 AM
Message:

Print outs work best for my judge.

He will accept a cell phone with pics or text but then the cell phone becomes evidence and he keeps it.

None of the deadbeat tenants have taken him up on that offer.

MyVerizon used to have a section hidden away on line where you could get all the texts that you sent or received. Mot sure if it is still available but that made it easier a couple times. --107.147.xx.xx




Texts in Court (by Scott [IN]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 10:09 AM
Message:

I also screenshot the text and send to my email for printing. Take 3 copies of everything to court. One for you, 1 for the judge, and 1 for defendant (assuming you are plaintiff). --162.204.xxx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Rande Young [VA]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 10:19 AM
Message:

This is REALLY Helpful! Many thanks! --173.73.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: May 16, 2025 12:44 PM
Message:

Ditto Google Voice. That's the number I use for my tenant interactions. The nice feature is that I can print a lot more of a conversation on one page.

My court required everything to be submitted online before the hearing. I did. The tenant did not. The judge still allowed her to read the texts from her phone, but she had lost before she began anyway. The judge also struggled to find the relevant documents on his computer, so I ended up showing him my printouts. --104.251.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by zero [IN]) Posted on: May 17, 2025 9:33 AM
Message:

They stopped allowing phones in court not just for the disruptions but people started taking pictures of juries and that freaked people out. Made them not want to be on a jury because they feared retribution.

People ruin everything. --107.147.xx.xx




Texts in Court (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: May 17, 2025 10:56 AM
Message:

Another vote for google voice to facilitate printing out of text conversations. --23.28.xx.xx




Texts in Court (by tryan [MA]) Posted on: May 18, 2025 10:19 AM
Message:

No cells allowed in court in my hood. --198.168.xx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Phil [OR]) Posted on: May 18, 2025 4:57 PM
Message:

Print out screenshots of the text. It's admissable in court. Had a tenant that was a police officer that I had to take to court for damages. They tried to lie about requesting repairs etc. Screen shot of the text put it to rest. I prevailed. --174.198.x.xxx




Texts in Court (by Mapleaf18 [NY]) Posted on: May 18, 2025 7:44 PM
Message:

Another vote for screen shots and print out --64.246.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by MC [PA]) Posted on: May 20, 2025 6:33 AM
Message:

My judge allowed it. He read the whole discussion on text. --73.230.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by Jeffrey [VA]) Posted on: May 20, 2025 7:33 AM
Message:

Rande, we would appreciate it if you reported back and let us know how you ended up handling it in court and how things went. --172.59.xxx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Rande [VA]) Posted on: May 20, 2025 8:37 AM
Message:

Yes I will certainly report back. TY for all of the supportive responses. FYI this is a Virginia case.

I am consulting an attorney will let you know their advise as well. So far, I have been advised to call the Clerk of the Court and ask how the judge wants to receive text messages. I plan to do today. Will report back.

Many Thanks! See you at the Conference in St Louie! --173.73.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by Jeffrey [VA]) Posted on: May 20, 2025 10:35 AM
Message:

Uh.... Rande, the Conference will be in Indianapolis:) Double check your airline ticket. See you there. --184.189.xx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Ken Post [CA]) Posted on: May 20, 2025 9:31 PM
Message:

If you have an iPhone and an Apple computer and your tenant has an iPhone, you can print out text messages from your Apple computer. You can also send and receive text messages on your computer to other Apple computers and tablets and iPhones --172.58.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by Rande [VA]) Posted on: May 20, 2025 10:31 PM
Message:

TY Mr Landlord, I am flying into IND

not St Louie. TY for checking me Jeffrey! --173.73.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by Traci [FL]) Posted on: May 20, 2025 11:02 PM
Message:

I was going to mention there is a program called Decipher TextMessage that a person can use to save all of their text messages, including attachments to their computer. Then they can be printed if necessary. I had a situation (not with a renter) where I needed them. This worked great.

--48.206.xxx.xx




Texts in Court (by Chris [VA]) Posted on: May 21, 2025 2:56 PM
Message:

I also use google voice for all tenant interactions. Texts popping up on both computer and phone is a great convenience. --71.246.xxx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Jonathan [NJ]) Posted on: May 21, 2025 5:42 PM
Message:

I do understand the question is about text usage. I like the answer about checking with the Court to see how'd they like to receive the evidence; however, I'd like to share for my rental practice, that I ALWAYS follow up text communications with an email for my tenants to acknowledge. To clarify: Name/s, please let this email confirm our recent text communication at approximately XXXXhrs (date it if you want). Specifically regarding your request to use a firepit and seating in the backyard. We advised that we do authorize you (or whatever you agreed) use of a firepit, no greater than a 3' X3' sized unit. The use is and maintenance is your own responsibility. Please reply to acknowledge receipt of this email. Then monitor to wait for their acknowledged email reply. **You can now easily search your subject based on the text/email topic instead of scrolling through the texts and possibly missing communications. Hope that helps! Best wishes to ALL!!! --172.56.xxx.xxx




Texts in Court (by Jonathan [NJ]) Posted on: May 21, 2025 5:46 PM
Message:

**You can now easily search your subject based on the text/email topic instead of scrolling through the texts and possibly missing communications. All easy to find AND print out. --172.56.xxx.xxx



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