At CELO, we place the highest importance on maintaining courtroom etiquette and decorum. Courthouses and courtrooms have standards of order and procedures that if not followed, can result in serious sanctions that could factor negatively against you when it comes to the final ruling of your case. When you are required to attend court, we ask that you follow the rules of behavior set by the Chief District Court Judge while attending. Please use this as a guideline to stay in the best light with the court while attending.

• DO WEAR – business casual or business formal clothes (polo or collared shirts, dress pants, khaki pants,
  dresses, pantsuits, formal blouses, etc. ) Ties and suits are optional.
• DO WEAR – your best face especially when asked to testify or speak to the court. Hair and face well kept and clean. Try your best to put on a professional look when dressing for court. Dress for either a job interview or like you’re going to church.
• NO – hats, sunglasses, shorts, low-cut or strapless tops, and pajamas.
• NO – skirts that do not extend to at least the middle of the thigh while sitting; shirttails must be tucked in.
• NO – exposed underwear, midriffs, stomachs, or buttocks.
• NO – slacks, trousers, or jeans that can only be supported by the wearer’s hands.
• NO – bare feet, bedroom slippers, or flip-flops.

• PLEASE – arrive to court on time. If you are attending to observe or participate in your case, please make the necessary arrangements to be at court all day. Please know that there’s no guarantee to hear your case on that day. Our attorneys work hard to ensure that if you are in court, your case is heard, but with courts currently having overcrowded dockets, there is no guarantee that your case will be heard on that given court date. The only way this can be avoided is if your case is designated
  the priority case of the day.
• PLEASE – have your best manners on display. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Address the judge as Your Honor or Judge. Address all other court officers and personnel as sir or ma’am. Though these things may seem small and meaningless, they play a large part in how the court views you and could impact the outcome of the case’s ruling in your favor.
• PLEASE – write on a notepad in court if you need to speak or communicate with your attorney during trial. Our attorneys are multitasking between note-taking, listening to testimony, and preparing for any needed responses. Trying to whisper in their ears helps no one especially your attorney, who won’t be able to process the information you’re attempting to give them. If it’s something that you can’t write out, wait until the court is in recess to relay the information.
• PLEASE – Be mindful that your attorney may also be attending to other cases at the same time your case may be in court. All time is adjusted accordingly. Please be understanding of this and patient when addressing your attorney in court about your matter.
• NO – Cell phones or electronic devices allowed in the courtroom. The court deputies will NOT let you into the courthouse with a cell phone. If you need to have your electronic device for your case, please speak with our staff in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.
• NO – offensive, violent, obscene, or suggestive remarks should be made anywhere in or near the courtroom. Please remember that you are in a space where even though you may be whispering, sound travels and carries very quickly in the area.
• NO – loud conversations and distracting sidebars are allowed. You should keep all conversations to a minimum; if necessary, please step outside the courtroom and have them.
• NO – chewing gum, candy, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, food, or drink/beverage. If you have a medical condition that requires you to have a drink or a small snack, please let our office know so we can be aware if you need to step out to have a drink or snack.