Top 4 Ways on How to Behave in Court

Many of us have never appeared in court, and have no idea what is expected of us, other than from what we have seen on television. Here are some important tips to keep in mind before your first court appearance:

  1. How to Dress for Court: You should always try to look professional when appearing in court. Think of Court as a job interview. This means you should remove piercings, cover tattoos, and wear appropriate shirts. You should shave. You should try to avoid wearing jeans, and if you do wear jeans, make sure they are not too loose or ripped. Hats are prohibited in the courtroom. [Click here to read our post on ‘Behind the Robe,’ understanding the role of the judge and their attire.]
  1. Be on Time: There is nothing as annoying to a Judge as having someone come late to court. While it is true that in many instances you may end up spending considerable time waiting for your case to be called, you never know when your case will be called first. In some instances, if you are late for court, the court will issue a warrant for your arrest. Always be on time with any court appearance.
  1. Speak Up: Every court proceedings is required to be recorded or transcribed by a court reporter. Neither can pick up a nod of the head or soft voices. When you are testifying or answering a question from a Judge or lawyer, always answer with a clear and strong voice. Do not use gestures.
  1. Be Aware of Your Body Language: Whether you are testifying before a Judge or sitting next to your attorney during a hearing or trial, Judges are easily irritated by a person appearing before them whom is rolling their eyes, nodding their head vigorously in disagreement with some one’s testimony, fidgeting in their chair, or interrupting their attorney by talking to them while someone else is speaking. Often this behavior is difficult to control when you disagree with things that are being said about you, however, you should assume that the Court is continually watching your demeanor and assessing your character by how you behave in Court.

The attorneys in our firm spend a lot of time in Court.  They will review all of these details with you before your Court appearance and will assist you when dealing with stressful situations, such as testifying in Court during difficult trials, so that you can impress the Judge during your appearance. Click here contact us. We look forward to working with you.

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