Dressing For Court

[jag312]

I have been in court for the past two days on a big trial. While I was waiting outside the court room for my time to testify, I was observing the people who were appearing before the judge in the next court room.

I was told many many years ago that when I am before a judge, I need to dress to reflect the dignity of the court. I'm wearing a business suit, polished shoes, freshly ironed shirt, and a tie. And I shave. Some people has mistaken me for a lawyer, and that does not offend me.

I'm looking at the people going into the next court room. T-shirts, shorts or trousers hanging below their butt, sandals or flip-flops, unshaven. These people are slobs. This is not a way to impress or show respect to a judge. What we need are judges like Fred Gwynne in My Cousin Vinny.

I know that you're not supposed to "judge a book by its cover", but I do not understand why some people want to look like low class gutter trash when a respectful appearance will show respect to the judge and will help their case.cmaybe I'm just getting too old.

 

[Old TexMex]

In Nueces County the judges will not let you in the courtroom in a T shirt or shorts. I think sandals are allowed if you are wearing matching orange jumpsuit.

 

[tacreload]

jag,from what I've seen lately for the most part is the books don't care what its cover looks like and if you don't like it,too bad.Respect for just about anything is extinct.

 

[joespapa]

I would say appropriate dress may not be the same to everyone. Human beings are to be respected for what they are....not their job! Sorry but in my book political appointees and elected officials EARN their respect !!
JMT ymmv .

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Wow, reminds me of Wally World! Wish you had posted some photos of those un-classy people. Just a reflection of a general lack of self-respect that is so prevalent in today's society.

 

[Rustyt1953]

"What's a yoot ?"

 

[Comrad]

It's respect for the office not the office holder. I remember when people dressed to fly.
Going in front of a judge is probably not the best time to express yourself with an up yours tee shirt.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

There are two different kind of respect. 1........the kind that is due an individual because of his position, say an Officer in the Armed Forces, or a Judge in the civilian world. 2........This is the respect that an indidivual must earn thru his actions and deeds. Totally different kinds or respect.

 

[shell627]

I am now a deputy assigned to a court security team.You would not believe the way people dress and act.We have rules against the wearing of shorts sleeveless shirts and provocative attire.(some of the baby mamas like to show a little something to thier Heros in jail) I have more trouble enforcing common sense dress code than serving warrants.

 

[Mike McLellan]

The judge's job is to, somehow, determine the merits of the case put before him, regardless of whether or not a participant's shoes are shined. He should have the ability and desire to find the truth no matter how it is "dressed up".

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I agree that you shouldn't "dress to impress" the judge, but that you should dress well out of respect for yourself and others.
Now I understand not everyone can afford three piece suits (I sure can't.) but at least dress neatly.

 

[Yorkie Man]

You can't be taken seriously if you look like a slob. I have always worn a suit to court.

 

[the ringo kid]

In Nueces County the judges will not let you in the courtroom in a T shirt or shorts. I think sandals are allowed if you are wearing matching orange jumpsuit.

Ive got Jury duty for this coming Monday. Ill be wearing a dark blue-or black 3 button t-Type shirt--but not a t-shirt. The pants are my going-out-to-impress-pants--so hopefully not too shabby. But serious--yep--I still see them in shorts, ssandals, flip-flops and pajamas. When ive been there seeing that--I saw nobody tossed or rejected.

What irks me the most--is when people try thinking up various ways to get out of Jury Duty. Its been at least 10 years since I was picked and served so--am looking forwards to a change of my pace. My BiL is also having to go on monday.

 

[the ringo kid]

I am now a deputy assigned to a court security team.You would not believe the way people dress and act.We have rules against the wearing of shorts sleeveless shirts and provocative attire.(some of the baby mamas like to show a little something to thier Heros in jail) I have more trouble enforcing common sense dress code than serving warrants.

Sir,you would have a jimdandy of a time and no time for other things--if you were here and saw the types we have here. I wa just at an appointment earlie--saw women in pajamas, a guy wearing a dirty backpack, had a shirt (if you could call it athat?) which had no sides,no sleeveds and looked like a trashed football jersey. pleanty wearing fuzazy pink or other--slippers.

 

[the ringo kid]

You can't be taken seriously if you look like a slob. I have always worn a suit to court.

The trouble is--is what if a possible good jurist does not have better clothes? should they be rejected for Jury Duty? I know several here who fit in that catagory--dont have the money to afford much else.

One thing i would like to be asked--is IF I want to serve on a Jury? I would say yes each time since i feel its my civic duty to do so--especially when so many try getting out of it.

 

[absolutevil]

Oh Boy...One day long ago my wife or son, I can't remember, gave me a Beavis and Butthead tee shirt as a joke. Well I was working in my back yard, doing firewood if I remember correctly, when a patrol car came to my house and told me they needed me in Court right away, like now. I pointed out my attire, which included shorts, but I was told to get in the car it had to be now. Well have you ever testified in Court wearing a Beavis and Butthead shirt and shorts. I did. Lucky it was Municipal Court and the Judge understood but some of the guys I worked with on the Dept. never let me forget it.

 

[budster]

About 6 years ago, I had to go to traffic court for no insurance, no drivers lic. and no proof of insurance. I wore a tie and was dressed up. The judge was very nice and dismissed the case when I presented all as the law states. I would like to think that I showed respect to the court.

 

[wbraswell]

I dress nice for jury duty. I know how to dress appropriately. Unfortunately many young folks today, don't know how to dress. Really, they don't know how or what is appropriate. Many will show up to a first day of work, in unacceptable dress, because they are ignorant, and they don't own acceptable dress. Nobody has ever taught them. Sad, but true.

 

[cass]

I think a lot of it depends on age, and how a person was reared. Dress standards have diminished since the 60's, and it shows a lack of respect of any authority figure, or process. A person doesn't have to dress up, but they sure can be clean and presentable. Personally, I would never consider wearing anything less than normal business attire.

 

[rwsmith]

Dress appropriately

Of course I'd dress appropriately for court. One time, though, I had a major problem. After driving 30 minutes to the county seat, my son's court date was postponed because of a bomb scare, but nobody told us when the new court date was, neither anyone from the court or my lawyer's office. We were turned away by police from going near the court building.

The next morning I drive an hour round trip to the county seat to take my son to school. When I get back home I get a call telling me we are due in court. I ask when and am told "15 minutes ago". So I jump in the car, drive to the county seat and pick up my boy who is in school. He's in shorts but it's his school uniform so he is not sloppy but neat I was in long pants and a polo shirt, not ideal, but passable. When we get to court I ask my lawyer to please apologize to the judge for our dress, that we would never appear in court improperly dressed but there were circumstances beyond our control. When they finally let us into the court room it was to assign a new court date and told to come back properly dressed. I was highly pissed off and so was my son and my wife who couldn't be there on short notice but when you are involved with the court system, they call all of the shots, even if they are very poor shots.

My son also complains that many of the people we have to deal with as part of the system, don't seem to be the most educated, qualified or motivated people in the world. I tell him that all of the above are very good reasons to avoid getting involved in the court system and if he is as smart as he thinks it is he'll stay the hell away from anything like that. A trial is a piece of cake compared to the BS and hoops you have to jump through, even if you are the damaged party for months and years on end.