Whether you have been summoned for Jury Duty, have to testify in a case, or are pursuing a personal injury or medical malpractice suit, you are going to want to dress appropriately for the courtroom. We have compiled a short list of quick-and-easy tips for appropriate attire the next time you have to appear in court:
1. Simplicity is Key
The courtroom is traditionally a very conservative environment. Bright or loud colors, ornate jewelry, or flashy bedazzled clothing may draw unnecessary attention and send the wrong message to a judge or jury. Toned down colors like black, dark blue and grey are safer bets. Avoid any jewelry that is not functional (i.e. a watch or wedding ring) and keep your hair and makeup style more on the conservative side.
Find out what's happening in Bed-Stuywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
2. Save the Beachwear for the Beach
While the nicer weather may translate to beach attire, acceptable wardrobe in the courtroom remains the same. Although no formal dress code for New York State courts exists, the NYS Southern District advises jurists as follows on their website:
Find out what's happening in Bed-Stuywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
While no formal dress code exists, jurors are requested to dress in a manner respectful to the Court. You will have to pass through a metal detector each time you enter the courthouse. Please leave excess metal and jewelry at home to speed your entry.
If you are party to the lawsuit (i.e. either the plaintiff or defendant in a civil suit), your clothing choice should adhere to even more conservative standards than those of the jurists. Be sure you cover up your shoulders, legs and stomach at all times – the courtroom isn’t a great place to even out tan lines, anyway. Appropriate footwear is another important factor; no sandals, flip flops, or open-toed footwear. The best shoes are comfortable, sensible footwear that do not attract attention. Avoid sneakers, as a court in Florida recently turned away jury duty participants for footwear deemed inappropriate for the courtroom.
3. Layer for Comfort…and Modesty
The legal process has a notorious reputation for lengthy proceedings that can take a lot of time. When choosing what to wear to court, keep in mind that the temperature inside the courtroom may fluctuate throughout the day and you want to remain comfortable. Bringing along a light jacket or cardigan will allow you to remain comfortable in the courtroom, even if you are there for a while. This Tip has the added benefit of ensuring that you are properly covered up (See Tip #2).
4. Ask a Lawyer!
Think of it this way: you would ask the advice of an experienced hiker when outfitting for a long hike, right? It makes sense to ask an experienced attorney when you have questions about how to dress for courtroom proceedings. Your legal representative is always the best consultant for all courtroom related questions. Hopefully your attorney has communicated with you about the steps of your case development and prepared you for courtroom appearances. You might want to read our article, “What Should I Wear to Court?”
Written by Tom McHugh and Carol L. Schlitt
The Schlitt Law Firm
A New York Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Law Firm
1-800-660-1466
Contact@SchlittLaw.com
