You don't necessarily need a suit to get on a judge's good side, but dressing sharp is not a bad idea.
So you're busted. You've been through the arrest, the booking and the bail. Now it is time to go to court. Whether you plan to plead guilty or take the case to trial, it is a good idea to present a nice appearance. Runway fashions or expensive duds aren't required. Even casual wear can be acceptable. A good standard is to wear what you'd wear to church, a job interview or grandma's house for Sunday dinner.
Instructions
1. Dressing properly could help tip the scales your way.
Know your surroundings. Remember that courtrooms are formal settings where some of the most important decisions in our communities are made.
2. Know your judge. Check on the Internet or in local newspaper archives to see if there are any stories about the judge scolding defendants for their appearance. Ask your lawyer if there are any special standards to consider.
3. Bypass any article of clothing with a hole in it, no matter how nice it may otherwise look. Don't even consider wearing anything decorated with foul language or pictures of drugs or guns.
4. Pick clothing for the courtroom, not the weather. Dress conservatively to be indoors in a semi-formal setting even if it will be 95 degrees as soon as you walk outside the courthouse. For men, this means choosing slacks over shorts and keeping shirts tucked in.
5. Dress shoes are better than casual footwear.
Choose closed-toe shoes over flip-flops and sandals.
6. Remember you're in court -- so lose the sunglasses.
Avoid overaccessorizing. Put sunglasses in a pocket or purse, not in your hair. Leave the hat off your head. Choose discreet earrings and jewelry. Ask your attorney for guidance on things such as nose, lip and eyebrow piercings.
7. Straighten up. Give yourself one last look in a mirror in a courthouse restroom before seeing the judge.
Tags: Know your