On the Stand: How to Present Yourself in Court

It’s important to present yourself in court in the best possible manner. Your day in court should be an important moment for you, and your case is most likely meaningful to you, so consider it more than just appearing. Think of it as a job interview or a stage performance. You need to portray yourself to the judge in a controlled and reliable way. Take a moment to evaluate the most prominent aspects of the way you hold yourself: your clothing, your voice and your behavior.

Your Clothing

Other than some factors that you can’t control, such as your height and hair color, your clothing is something a judge may notice about you first, so make sure it’s as professional and appropriate as possible. Generally, you should consider wearing purely professional clothing, such as a button-down shirt, tie, blouse, dress pants, skirt of an appropriate length, close-toed shoes, and so on. Although, if it’s 90-degree weather on the day you appear in court, it may be unnecessary to wear something as formal as a suit coat.

Some clothing to stay clear of would be hats, T-shirts, shirts that reveal cleavage or midriff, pants that reveal underwear, shorts, flip flops, and anything with objectionable images or words. In any case, make sure your clothes are clean of dirt, stains or tears. Also, some visible accessories to your clothing that you may want to consider removing or hiding are cigarettes, facial piercings and visible tattoos.

Even if something is hidden in your pockets, people might see it in other areas of the courthouse, such as an outside area. You don’t want to give anyone a reason to look for bad qualities in you when you’re presenting yourself in court.

Your Voice

The way you use your voice in court is also important. You should try to sound confident and controlled at the same time. Speak up when talking to the judge but don’t yell. You should avoid mumbling at all costs and be firm in what you have to say. That’s why being fully prepared beforehand is so important. You don’t want to sound like you don’t understand your own case.

Remember to use appropriate word choice. Don’t use slang and words such as “yeah,” “nope,” and “huh?” but address people properly with phrases like “Yes, Ma’am,” “No, Sir,” and “pardon me?” And, of course, don’t use foul language.

Also, be to-the-point in the way you speak. Don’t waste the judge’s time by rambling on and getting off topic, but say what you need to say as clearly as you can and in as few words as possible.

Your Behavior

Your behavior and the way you hold yourself when speaking to the judge is also very crucial to your case. For example, you should stand when the judge enters and exits the courtroom as well as when speaking to him or her. Also, you should keep eye contact when speaking to them. If you happen to be sitting, don’t slouch in your seat, but sit up straight.

Strongly consider what your case is about before you enter a courthouse. Is it over a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim? Because if you’re claiming that you hurt your right arm and can barely use it, you should probably try to avoid picking up documents, drinking water or generally relying too much on your right arm when appearing in court. Stop, review the details of your case, and consider whether or not a particular action or behavior might limit the credibility of your claim.

You should be aware that your behavior may be noted or observed not just in the courtroom but in the entire courthouse. Assume that you are being watched at all times, so that you don’t compromise your case. Treat everyone that you meet in the courthouse with respect, and be mindful of what you say outside of the courtroom. You never know who’s listening.

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it, you should operate under the assumption that everyone is watching you. Don’t let that make you nervous, but let it be a reminder that you need to stay focused. You’re there for a reason, and you should see that reason through to the best of your ability.

On top of wearing the right clothing, speaking properly, and holding a professional demeanor, you should never forgot one timeless rule: be punctual. Don’t be late, and always arrive on time.

If you’re involved in a legal case or need to make an appearance in court, consult your lawyer for more information on how to present yourself at court and in front of a judge.