PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY VIRGINIA COURT ROOM ETIQUETTE

Before attending your Court hearing at the Prince William County Court house in Manassas, Virginia, there are some basic rules of etiquette to be aware of that will make your experience run more smoothly:

Dress code.

Dress like you are attending a job interview. Avoid casual and/or revealing clothing, such as denim, spaghetti strap tops, open toe shoes, etc. If you do not have clothes that you feel are interview worthy, wear the best of whatever you have and take extra steps to look your best such as ironing or steaming.

If you choose to wear make up, wear light make up, avoiding bold styles and colors. Style your hair simply and conservatively.

Make your entry efficient.

Entering the Court house is comparable to having to go through airport security. To be sure that you and the others behind you in line are able to arrive at their locations promptly, make your entrance as efficient as possible. To make your entrance to the court house more efficient:

Arrive at least fifteen minutes early prior to the start time of your case to allow time to find a parking space, walk to the Court house if you were unable to find a parking space in the front lot, get through security, then navigate the Court house to find your Court room.
Leave any weapons in the car; you will be sent back out if you attempt to enter with them; there are no on site lockers to hold banned items.
Avoid metal accessories, such as boots with metal buckles, as you may trip the security system you must go through to enter and therefore be required to remove the items to go through the security scanner.
Keep any papers secured with staples rather than paper clips to avoid them being mixed up from going through the security scanner.
Zip any purse or brief case closed to avoid spilling on the security scanner belt.

Interacting with the others in Court.

General guidelines for interacting with the Judge and other parties to your case are:

When discussing your case with your lawyer in the hallway before, during, and after your case has been heard, make sure that you are aware of who is around you before disclosing any confidential information, as your opposing party and their counsel are likely nearby waiting to enter or having just exited the Court room.
When the Judge enters the Court room, all rise, then sit back down when instructed.
Parties to a case may only approach the Judge’s bench when directed to by the Judge.
Parties to a case must have a “poker face” during their case; if you disagree with the Judge’s ruling, you must avoid making loud comments or making a bold display of your opinion.

Speaking in Court.

The Judge presiding in your case has total authority in the Court room. You do not speak unless directed to when your case is being heard, nor do you directly address the Judge unless directed to. Your lawyer will communicate with the Judge on your behalf. Of course, you may whisper to or write notes on a note pad to your lawyer as needed to communicate about your case.

General Court etiquette.

Some general information that is good to know before you attend your Court hearing are:

An armed security guard is present in every Court room, ready to intervene if necessary to keep all parties safe. If you make any sudden or aggressive movements, the security guard will address you.
All parties to a case have specific seats to be in during the case; there are tables for the Plaintiff and their lawyer, and the Defendant and their lawyer.
There is a low barrier wall behind these tables to separate the parties to a case from the benches for the audience. Any support person you wish to bring with you may sit in the audience benches to provide silent moral support.
You may not move about freely as your case is being heard; only during recess may you move freely and leave the Court room.
Audience members may exit the Court room as the case is being heard, but must do so as quietly as possible. However, when the case is finished being heard and all rise for the Judge to exit, every person present in the Court room must rise and stand still until the Judge has left the Court room.

Schedule A Consultation Today

While attending a Court hearing may feel daunting, having strong legal counsel in your corner will boost your confidence. Michelle Hopkins and her legal team are ready to prepare a good fight for your case in Court. Contact her office at info@mhopkinslaw.com or 571-248-2210 to schedule a consultation today.