Waiting for an upcoming court date can be nerve-wracking, especially if you have no experience in courtrooms. As the day gets closer, you might find yourself wondering what you should do, say, and wear in the courtroom. At A-EZ Out, we believe in giving defendants the best chance to have a good outcome, so we’ve put together a list of important do’s and don’ts so you can give the best impression to your judge and jury.
Do: Wear Proper Clothing
If you’re waiting for your trial in jail and don’t have formal clothing to wear to court, you’ll be forced to appear in the clothes you were arrested in. That’s why it’s important to ask your family to bring a nice outfit to the jail, or to your defense attorney. These clothes will be given to you on the day of your trial so you can make a good impression. Wearing casual clothes to court might even be seen as disrespectful to the judge, so be sure to carefully pick your best clothes for your trial.
Don’t: Bring Small Children to Court
It’s important to keep your family and loved ones informed on your trial so they can attend, but there’s almost never a good reason to bring your small children. Hire a babysitter or ask friends or family to look after your kids, but don’t bring them into the courtroom. Children can be an unnecessary distraction, and most judges won’t allow them to stay after court is in session.
Do: Respect the Judge
Your presiding judge will expect you, your legal team, and your family to respect them. This means standing when the judge enters the room, asking permission before speaking directly to the judge or approaching the bench, and referring to the judge as ‘your honor’. Some judges might also have additional rules, which they’ll announce at the beginning of the session. You’re expected to abide by these rules, or else you might be held in contempt of court.
Don’t: Prop Your Feet on the Table or Nap in the Courtroom
Just as you’re expected to respect your judge, you also need to respect their courtroom. This means no propping your feet up and no napping in your chair. Trials take a long time, and they can be pretty boring, but you’re still expected to be on your best behavior. Doing anything defiant or disrespectful during your trial could color the judge and jury’s opinions of you, and not in a good way. A good rule of thumb is this: if you’re wondering whether or not you can do something, you probably shouldn’t do it.
Get Bailed Out Fast With A-EZ Out
If you’re facing jail time while awaiting your day in court, get out of jail fast with A-EZ Out Bail Bonds. Our experienced bail bondsmen are available 24/7 to write bail in Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, and Denton County. Staying in jail means missing out on work, school, bills, and important time with your family. Get out of jail and back to your life when you hire A-EZ Out!