Atlanta Accident Law Library

by Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A.

Going to Court in Georgia: What to Wear &
How to Conduct Yourself to Win Your Case

When you're going to court, appearances matter. That doesn't mean that the best-looking person always wins, of course -- you'll probably win or lose based on the facts of your case. But judges and juries will also be evaluating you as a person during your trial, because that's one way they can decide whether you're telling the truth. Dressing and behaving appropriately in court helps you communicate to them that you understand the seriousness of going to court and respect their time.

If you have a lawyer, he or she should tell you in detail what to expect and what to do in court. But in general, you should treat a day in court like a day at religious services, a job interview or a first meeting with a respected older person. Dress appropriately, arrive on time and be polite to everyone, even the people on the other side of your case.

What to Expect in a Courtroom

At the very back of a courtroom is the raised desk where the judge will sit, which is called the bench. On one side of the bench is the witness box, where people give their testimony and are sworn in. Off to the side, or sometimes in front of the bench, are:
• The jury box, where jurors sit.
• The court clerk, who is the judge's assistant.
• The court reporter, who records everything said in court.
• The bailiff, a uniformed law enforcement officer who keeps order.
• In a criminal court, there may be a small holding pen off to the side where defendants who are in jail wait.

There will generally be two other desks facing the bench. One is for the plaintiff and his or her lawyer (or the prosecutor, in criminal cases), and the other is for the defendant and his or her lawyer. You'll sit here during trial if you're suing or being sued. In between these desks and the benches for spectators is a low railing called the bar. Behind the bar, there's seating for witnesses and spectators. Sometimes, the first few rows are reserved for witnesses and parties. Your lawyer or the bailiff can help you find where you should sit.

Before You Arrive

There are a few things you should plan to leave at home during your court date. For example, courthouses will check you for weapons before you're allowed to enter. Many have metal detectors. If you usually carry a pocket knife, pepper spray or something else that could hurt people, remember to leave it at home. Similarly, don't bring anything that's illegal to possess. If you have children who aren't involved in the case, especially very young ones, find a baby-sitter. You can bring someone for moral support, but make sure he or she stays silent and sits in the audience. And turn off your cell phone or other devices that make noise before you enter the courtroom, because most judges won't tolerate an interruption from a telephone.

On your court date, give yourself plenty of time to get to the courthouse and to find parking. If you're late, you look irresponsible; if you're very late, you could even automatically lose your case. Traffic and parking are not excuses to be late -- so it's much better to be too early. Expect to sit around for a while waiting; you can bring something to read. And don't park at a meter with the idea that you can leave to feed it every now and then, because you probably won't be able to. If you need help finding your courtroom, there may be an information desk at larger courthouses. At smaller ones, you may just be able to ask someone for directions.

Dress for court neatly and conservatively, as if you were going to a job interview or a religious service. Your goal is to look like a respectable, responsible citizen. That means a shirt with a collar, neat slacks or a skirt (or a dress for women) and nice shoes. Men should wear ties. You should never wear anything dirty, wrinkled or very bright, and nobody should be able to see your underwear. Nothing you wear should be overly casual -- no sweat pants, no workout clothes, no sneakers, no character t-shirts and nothing that shows skin between your elbows and your knees. If you're a woman, don't wear anything too sexually provocative and don't go overboard with makeup, perfume or jewelry. Before entering the courtroom, take off any coat and hat you're wearing.

During Your Case

Courts are extremely formal places -- so, above all, be polite. Address the judge as Your Honor, and everyone else by their honorifics (such as Mr. Jones) or as “sir” or “ma'am.” Speak formally and try not to use slang. Don't interrupt, don't argue and don't be sarcastic, even if the other side makes it tempting. Watch your body language -- no slouching, crossed arms or exaggerated displays of indifference. And try not to be overly emotional. That may not be easy, especially if you think the other side is being unfair or attacking you. But if you respond with dignity to rudeness, you could end up looking good while the other side looks bad. If you fight the judge or the lawyers, it could hurt your case by making you look childish or boorish.

If you have to testify, remember that you've sworn an oath to tell the truth. Listen carefully to instructions and to what you're being asked, then take as much time as you need to answer it exactly as asked. Speak clearly and distinctly. If you don't understand a question, ask for a clarification. If you don't know the answer, you shouldn't be ashamed to say so. If you don't know the exact answer to a question, such as the exact time of an accident, make sure to say that you can only give an approximate answer. And don't refuse to answer a question unless you're given permission. If the lawyer for the other side asks you an unfair or hostile question, your lawyer should protect you.

Georgia Personal Injury Trial? Call Stokes & Kopitsky

If you need legal help with a Georgia personal injury trial -- or you're considering an accident lawsuit -- the personal injury experts at Stokes & Kopitsky can help. Based in Atlanta, our firm has helped injured people throughout the state of Georgia for more than 30 years. We're proud to have won millions of dollars for people injured in auto accidents, workplace and construction accidents, dangerous properties and more. And because we know injuries are expensive, we work for a contingency fee -- which means you won't be asked for legal fees until and unless we win your case. For a free consultation with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney, call us today at 1-800-552-9200 or at (404) 892-0011 in metro Atlanta. Or, you can fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

How to Contact Atlanta Injury Attorneys
Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A.

If you've been injured in a Georgia accident because of another person's fault - even if you were also at fault - we can help you. We're Atlanta injury lawyers Gregory M. Stokes and Neil J. Kopitsky, and we have over 30 years of experience helping injured people and their families get justice and payment when they are involved in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or workplace accident. We've recovered millions of dollars in payments for our clients in Atlanta accident, Atlanta accidental death cases, and Georgia injury or death cases.

Your initial telephone or office consultation is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL, and our fees are paid only from what we recover for you. There is no pressure; we want to help with your recovery and treat all our clients with courtesy, care, and respect. Please call toll-free any time, any day, to speak with us. We look forward to helping you. You can contact us at:

Atlanta Telephone: 404- 892-0014

Toll-free Telephone: 1- 800-700-5050

E-mail: info@skattorneysatlaw.com