Guide on Courtroom Etiquette

A court room represents the judicial branch of the government and one needs to show respect to the judge and courthouse. There are certain etiquettes which you need to show while in the courtroom. If this is the first time you are going to the court, then it is okay to have last minute nerves. Follow a few court room etiquettes to present yourself in a better way.

Given below are some of the court house etiquettes:

• The first thing about courtroom etiquettes is respect. When you are in the court, you need to show respect to the judge as the representative of the judiciary system of the federal government. You also need to show respect to the courthouse process. 
  
• Arrive early at the courtroom and be prepared. You might have to wait but then it is better than being late at the courtroom. 
  
• Treat the courtroom as a formal meeting. Dress formal and no wild hairstyles or open shoes. Use of slang is strictly prohibited in the courtroom. Use formal English as much as you can.
  
• Chewing tobacco or chewing gum, recording devices like I pods, mobile phones, edibles, newspapers are not permitted in the courtroom.
  
• Address the judge as “Your Honor”. Speak only when you are asked to and speak in a soft voice. When you talk about others refer them as Mr. Anderson and not with the first name even if that person is your relative. 
  
• Do not wear hat in the courtroom unless it is for religious reasons.

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