Going to court is probably not your favorite thing or even something you planned on doing in the past. Whatever the case may be, if you have to go to court, you need to know how to act and what you need to look like. Showing up unprepared and ill-mannered does nothing for your case.
When you speak to any attorney, he or she will tell you that appearance is the first thing to influence your case. First impressions are extremely important. Would you rather be a calm, collected individual with a clean appearance or someone who looks disheveled and who has an uneven temper?
In court, there are several things you should do. First, always be on time. If you have to, be extremely early, but whatever you do, don’t walk in late. Remember to use the restroom prior to the trial or hearing, and always be polite when entering or exiting the courtroom. Address the judge as “Your Honor” and stand when the judge enters or leaves the room as a sign of respect.
A good thing to remember is that you should never interrupt anyone in the courtroom. If you misheard the judge or would like something repeated, wait until the judge is finished talking. Interrupting a judge is only likely to make you look bad.
When you dress for court, there’s no strict requirement. The important thing is to dress nicely. Show respect for the court and those who you’ll be standing in front of while you’re there. Take off your hat and remember not to wear jeans. If you’re not sure what to wear, err on the side of caution and wear a suit.
In any case, it’s a good idea to look your best, to be well-rested and to stay polite in court. Your attorney can brief you on what to expect.
Source: Duluth Georgia, “Court Conduct,” accessed Dec. 28, 2017