GENERAL TIPS FOR COURT

Dress Appropriately: For all court appearances, you should dress as though you are going to a professional business meeting. Jeans, shirts with slogans, hats and revealing clothes are not appropriate and the Court does not allow shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops. Appropriate apparel shows respect for the court process and will help you create a positive impression before the judge.

Read the hearing notice: The court will hold hearings on motions or procedural matters in addition to the final hearing. You should read your hearing notice carefully to understand why you are going to court, and prepare accordingly.

Bring your evidence: For the trial, you should bring copies of any papers, pictures, or other evidence with you. Make enough copies for the judge and all parties and attorneys involved in the case. If you have witnesses, they need to be present with you at the trial. The judge will likely not look at things on your phone or computer, so make sure to print out anything ahead of time.

If it is a motion hearing, the court will usually not want live testimony, so you should file an affidavit with your response (along with any documents as exhibits) at least a couple of days before the hearing, and send a copy to the other parties and/or attorneys involved in the case. (If you filed the motion, your affidavit needs to be filed with the motion.)

Arrive Early: You want to arrive about 15 minutes early to make sure you can find what courtroom you are in. You can always check with the Clerk of Court’s office or ask a bailiff or deputy for directions as well. When you enter the courtroom, sit in the audience section and wait quietly until your case is called. Once your case is called, you will come forward and take your place at one of the two tables that are facing the judge who will then explain how the trial will be conducted. 

Be polite: Each party will have a chance to speak and to ask questions. You should not interrupt the other side or the judge in most circumstances. The judge will let you know when it is your turn to give evidence or to ask questions. If the judge interrupts you while you are speaking, you should not argue. The judge might want to ask some questions, or the judge might need to direct you to change topics for various reasons.

If you need to object to something the other side is saying, you can interrupt for that, but you should be careful that your objection is warranted. You should not interrupt or object just because you disagree with what the other side is saying, or you think they are lying. If you interrupt to make too many improper objections, the judge might penalize you or hold you in contempt.