How to Dress and Act When You’re Going to Court
No matter what you’ve been charged with doing, it’s important for you to know how to act when you’re in the courtroom. You want to make sure you’ve dressed appropriately and acted appropriately while you’re in the courtroom. Acting a certain way could make you an easy target for a judge who isn’t afraid of putting people in their place. The last thing you want to do is draw some negative attention to yourself when you’re already dealing with legal woes.
If you’ve never had to appear in a courtroom, there is a good chance you’re feeling a bit worried. You might not know how to dress or what to stay when you get there. However, you’ll be just fine if you follow these helpful tips.
Make Sure You’re Not Late
Arriving at the courtroom later than the time you should’ve been there is never a good look. It’s going to make it look like you’re not taking things seriously, which could work against you. The judge has to take on a number of different cases each day, so waiting around for a person to show up becomes quite frustrating and upsetting. Make sure you’re on time by getting there a few minutes earlier than you need to be just to play it safe.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get up for court, even if you’re not used to getting up that early. Set as many alarms as you need to set to ensure you’re waking up early enough to give yourself time to shower, get dressed, and make your way over to the courtroom. It’s best to arrive at the courthouse a few minutes before the time you need to be there.
Wear the Right Clothes
Dress the way you would dress if you were going to an important business interview. If you’re showing up to court in shorts, flip-flops, and tank tops, you’re not going to leave a good impression on the judge or anyone else in the courtroom. It’s a good idea to wear a shirt with a collar that you can tuck into your dress pants. If you’re a woman, it’s fine to wear a dress, but you should make sure the dress isn’t too short or too revealing.
Leave Some Stuff at Home
You won’t be able to bring cigarettes, drinks, or phones into the courtroom with you. If you don’t want to leave these items at home, you can put them in a safe spot inside of your vehicle while you’re in court because you can’t take them with you inside the building. If you’re a parent, try to find a sitter who will be able to watch your kids for you while you’re in the courtroom. The courtroom isn’t a fun or entertaining place for children and it could lead to more frustration if your children are crying and fussing throughout the process.
Show Respect
You may not agree with what you’re going through, but that doesn’t mean you need to have an attitude with anyone in the courtroom. Always have respect for everyone in the courtroom, especially the judge who is overseeing the case. Don’t bother attempting to speak to the other party. It could lead to arguing and shouting that shouldn’t even take place in court.
Speak Only When You Need To
Some people make the mistake of trying to talk over the other party or cutting the judge off while he or she is speaking. Only one person is supposed to speak in the courtroom at a time, so respect that rule and make sure you’re not talking over anyone.
When heading to court, act as professional as possible. You should dress appropriately and speak appropriately so that the judge understands what you’re trying to say. You want to make sure you’re leaving a good impression on the judge and not a bad one. Your DWI lawyer in Houston TX can only do so much. Follow these tips and it will make their job much easier.
Call us today or contact Butler Law Firm for more information regarding your case. Visit our blog for more related articles!