How should i dress for court?

Question

Its not my trial or hearing. Its is my dad's. Im just going with other family members. Should it matter what i wear since im just going to be a spectator? If So what do you think would be ok?

Answer 1

Always dress nicely or conservatively at court, even if you're not going to take the stand or be a witness. You'll make your dad's group look good.

Answer 2

Yes, it matters what you wear.

Don't show skin.

Don't wear flip flops, shorts, tshirts, jeans, tank tops, etc.

Wear something nice.  You need to dress businesslike for court.

Answer 3

You should wear an Italian T, so that all your tats look nice.  Maybe with loaded gun along.  Then if things go wrong that hearing, you grab the Judge as an hostage

Answer 4

What to Wear to Court

Date: 12/10/2006    

Name:  Fran Brochstein  

State:    

Email:    

URL:    

What to Wear to Court or “You only get once chance to make a first impression”.

It is important to look your best in court.

You don’t want to look like you just rolled out of bed.

Recognize that most judges are middle-class and have been practicing law for many years. The Judge will usually wear a black robe when they are on the bench. You need to dress conservatively, dignified, and discreetly as a sign of respect for the judicial system.

Here are some basic ideas of appropriate courtroom attire & behavior:

What NOT to wear to court:

Clothing --

• Sleeveless or muscle shirt

• Exercise outfit

• Nothing s**y or too dressy – tight tops, short skirts, sequins, slinky top, revealing tops – nothing you’d wear out on a Saturday night!

• Sundress or strapless dress

• Crop tops – cover your belly button

• Any top with spaghetti straps

• T-shirts (especially ones with beer, drug or sexual references)

• Anything you’d wear to the zoo or to do yardwork

• Athletic attire – especially baseball caps

• Jeans – unless they are the only long pants you own

• Clothing that is too small or too large

• Clothing that reveals your underwear

• Shorts or cut-offs

(Most Courts will NOT allow you to enter the courtroom if you are wearing shorts.) Hats

Footwear:

• Flip-flop sandals

• Athletic shoes

• High heel spikes

• Open-toed shoes

• Anything you’d wear at the beach

Sunglasses – unless medically prescribed Lots of jewelry – especially if it makes noise when you move Hair

• Wet & messy

• Dirty

• Unnatural dye job

• Hairnet and/or curlers

• Weird or unusual haircut

Hygiene:

1. Look dirty or unshaven

2. Cologne and perfume – use very little – too much and everyone will wonder what you are trying to cover up!

• Smelling like cigarette smoke

• Smelling like pot – that’s a totally different problem!

• Smelling of alcohol – again that’s a totally different problem!

Nails – extremely long nails on both men & women, neon or bright nail polish Tattoos & Piercings

• Hide the tattoos

• Remove the jewelry BEFORE entering the courtroom

Bare legs or shoulders showing

Ideas of what to wear to the courthouse:

Conservative dress – something you would wear to church, work or a nice social function. (If you wear a uniform to work, it is usually ok to wear to court – unless you wear shorts to work.) Wear clothes that fit – if you have gained or lost a lost of weight, please buy something new for your courtroom appearance

Men:

• Suit with tie

• Sports coat

• Long-sleeve button-down shirt with a collar and long pants

• Wear a belt or suspenders to keep up your pants

Women:

• A nice dress or woman’s business suit

• A conservative pants suit

• Conservative top and long slacks

Jewelry – less is more – remove all piercings

(If you claim you have no money, then wearing lots of jewelry is unwise) Nails – neat and clean. Neutral nail polish.

Shoes – closed toe & conservative.

Hair – Schedule a haircut 2 weeks before the court appearance. Look neatly groomed. If long, tie it back. No hairnets, rollers or combs.

Hygiene

• Brush your teeth & use mouthwash.

• Men – shave before court & trim your mustache/beard.

• Women – wear very conservative make-up.

• Use soap & water liberally before coming to court .

• Deodorant – you will be nervous so be prepared.

• If you perspire a lot, bring a handkerchief or whatever to look “cool and confident”.

Cover tattoos

Courtroom Etiquette

• Turn off your cell phone and/or pager!

• When sitting in family law court do not rest your elbows on the tables at any given time. Sit up straight. Slouching is a signal that you don't care about what is going on and you'd rather be home or doing something else.

• Pay attention. Look interested. Take notes.

• If there is a court reporter is being used, be sure to be sure he/she can hear your answers.

• When addressing the Judge use the term “Your Honor”.

• Speak slowly and clearly.

• Look the Judge in the eye.

• Don’t “doodle” – you can write notes (keep them small so opposing counsel and the Judge can’t read them).

• Don’t talk while court is in session.

• Don’t roll your eyes or make faces.

• Don’t speak when someone else is talking.

• Do not chew gum or smack on candy.

Language

• Don’t mutter under your breath.

• Don’t make threats.

• Don’t say “To tell you the truth…” – makes you sound like a liar

• No slang or expletives.

• No hysterical outburst or screaming -- anywhere in the courthouse.

• No snide comments.

• No snippy or sarcastic answers – If you are asked if you do drugs and you answer “yes” the transcription of the hearing will be “yes” even though you did not mean it!

• Don’t sigh and make noises.

• Do speak slowly and clearly Give concise answers – don’t ramble.

• Think before you t

Answer 5

Wear something busines-like and on the conservative side.  No jeans, no tight or revealing tops, no flip-flops.

Answer 6

Yes you are a spectator but you are a part of your father's family. You will be somewhat scrutinized by the judge and you do not want to make a bad impression. Since you are a female I would recommend dress conservatively and looking smart. This means wearing such things as a suit, slacks, a skirt to at least 2" above the knee if not longer, blouse buttoned up to one button below the neck, and appropriate footwear. Avoid wearing sandals, tennis shoes / sneakers, jeans, shorts,  cut-offs, t-shorts, low cut shirts, or anything too revealing or anything that could be seen as offensive.  

Answer 7

dress nicely, no t-shirts or jeans. look respectful of the court. if there is a jury involved they will notice how family members appear and take that into consideration whether it's right or wrong

Answer 8

I would wear dressy casual at least.  Button down shirt and khaki's.  No jeans, tennis shoes, tshirts, etc.  Appear business like and respectful.  

Answer 9

something conservative.Anytime you enter a courtroom its a good idea to dress in a respectful manner,whether you are on the stand or not

Answer 10

dress like youre going to chiurch

Answer 11

You should still dress professionally. Don't wear jeans. Black pants and a blouse should do the trick.

Answer 12

Dress nicely.

At least a nice pair of pants and a button down shirt.

Even if you aren't up for trial, you are still in a court room, and you must dress accordingly.

edit: my bad, I just assumed you were a guy for some reason.

Haha, sorry.

Well, still dress nicely.

Either a nice dress (make sure your shoulders are covered, and you are not showing too much leg of cleavage.)

Or a pair of dress pants and a nice top.

sorry about that! haha

Answer 13

I think a nice suit would be okay.

Thanks for asking.

Answer 14

Dress neat.A nice pair of pants or skirt,your preference..with a neat shirt or blouse.

Answer 15

Dress pants or khakis. A button-down shirt or polo.

Answer 16

conservative dress would be appropriate