Criminal Defense - Your Day in Court

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Your case is serious business to you, (and me), so the way you dress for Court must be serious and business-like. Soon, you will appear in a courtroom; in front of a Judge. Your personal appearance and your general attitude are very important. Here are some pointers to help you look your best for your Court appearance. The Judge is constantly evaluating your case. Your personal appearance is part of that evaluation. Therefore, it is very important that you carefully consider how you look in Court.

1. BE ON TIME You must be seated in the Courtroom at least 15 minutes before Court starts and your case is called. That means allowing yourself extra time for bad weather, bad traffic, finding the Courthouse, getting parked, and finding the right Courtroom. If you're running late or you're caught in traffic, call my office and let them know. A quick call might just save you a night in jail!

Failure to Appear: If you are not in Court on time, the Judge may issue a warrant for your arrest and you could be charged with another offense; (failure to appear). On late arrival you may be arrested and jailed until your next court date.

Bottom of the List: On your court date, I will not put your name on the list of cases that are ready to be called until I see you in the Courtroom. It's very embarrassing for your case to be called only to find that you are not there. If you are late to Court, your case may end up being placed at the bottom of the list. If your name is not submitted early to the prosecutor or clerk, your case will not be called early. You will sit for hours in a busy Court when you might have been called first or second.

If you are absent: On the day of your trial, I cannot play hardball in negotiations with the prosecutor if there is a problem with their case - if you are absent. I also cannot get instructions from you on a plea to a lesser charge or some other settlement - if you are absent. I cannot interview the witnesses you are bringing with you if you are not there. What I do in preparation and negotiations in the one-half hour before your trial starts is every bit as important as the trial itself.

2. GOOD APPEARANCE (Use Common Sense - Dress Properly). You will never get a second chance to make a first impression. The Judge knows nothing about you, except for the impression you make when you appear in Court. Dress like you're going to church with your grandmother. Wear good quality, clean, neat clothing and shoes. Do not wear flashy or fancy clothes, shoes or jewelry. Dress conservatively. When dressing and grooming for your day in Court, the word is conservative.

Choose a suit over other regular clothing, dark colors over bright colors, solids colors instead of prints, plain hosiery, conservative shoes, and modest jewelry.
Your shirt should be tucked in and buttoned up.

No T-Shirts or Shorts! You will not be allowed in Court if you wear shorts, cut-off pants, t-shirts, tank tops or torn clothing of any kind. You will not be allowed in Court with any item of clothing which bears any vulgar, suggestive or drug-related messages, words or symbols.

Your shoes should be clean and/or polished.

Your hair should be trimmed and well groomed, and men should be clean shaven unless you have worn a beard or mustache for at least a year or more.

MEN: Do not wear earrings or body piercings of any kind.

WOMEN: Do not wear low-cut blouses or extremely short dresses; (3 inches above the knee is too short). No bare belly buttons.

Turn OFF your cell phone or pager before you enter the Courthouse.

Do not chew gum in Court.

Do not wear a hat in Court.

Keep your hands out of your pockets.

3. NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL Do not come to court with alcohol on your breath. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages for at least 48 hours before your court date. Do not ever use any illegal drugs. You will probably be drug tested, perhaps on a random basis before or after your trial date.

4. COURT SECURITY You will be searched at the Courthouse. Therefore, do not bring any knives, guns, weapons or illegal drugs into the Courthouse or you will be arrested. Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the Courthouse.

5. BE ALERT Make every effort to get ample rest several nights before your day in Court. Do not rely on going to bed early on the night before your court date, because your anxiety may prevent sleep that night. You will feel rested and confident if you've had several good nights sleep.

6. BE RESPECTFUL Always answer with "Yes Sir or Ma'am" and "No Sir or Ma'am". Never say "yeah", "uh-huh", "yep", "nope", "nah", etc.