What are the proper attire and conduct for court?

Proper Attire

Unacceptable attire includes, but is not limited to:

  • Shorts and cut-offs
  • Muscle shirts, clothing with offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, obscene, or suggestive words, slogans, depictions, or pictures, including grotesque creatures
  • Clothing that is dirty, torn, or ragged
  • Clothing that is too tight or too short
  • Hats
  • Remote Hearings: Please ensure your background is appropriate and you are in a quiet space

Conduct

Pro se parties (individuals representing themselves without an attorney) should be prepared to present their cases in a proper manner. The Court can not represent you, instruct you on legal procedure, evidence, or rules, or how to present and prove your case. Please make sure that you are at the Court on the date and time your hearing is scheduled.

  • Do not argue with the Court
  • Address the court as "Judge" or "Your Honor"
  • Address opposing parties, counsel, witnesses, and court officers as "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss", "Officer", etc.
  • Do not read newspapers, magazines, books, etc. in the courtroom during proceedings
  • Do not talk at the same time as the court, opposing counsels, or witnesses
  • Racist, sexist, obscene, or profane language or gestures are prohibited unless it is pertinent to a case and is elicited and quoting from facts in the case
  • Do not enter and depart the courtroom excessively
  • Do nothing to disturb or distract the court, counsel, witnesses, or other court personnel
    • Young children are not allowed in the courtroom; when entrance is permitted, children must not create a disturbance or be kept out of the courtroom
  • Do not approach the Judge's bench without permission
  • Do not rest arms or hands on the bench
  • Rise when the Judge enters and remain standing until the Judge or bailiff announces "Be seated" or until the Judge is seated. Rise when the Judge exits the courtroom
  • No food or drinks are allowed in the courtroom

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10. What are the proper attire and conduct for court?