Client Legal Guide: 20 Ways to Impress the Judge When Appearing in Court

20 Ways to Impress the Judge When Appearing in Court 

1. You should wear a dress appropriately and professionally. It is not required to dress like a lawyer, but conservative and "Business Casual" is a good rule. You should wear neat clothing and groom yourself nicely. You should be taken seriously by the judge in the court.

2. You Showed up on time at the right place. You should make sure you know ahead of time what building you need to go to court. You may not know the courtroom just before the trial. If you do not, you can consult with the sheriff at the courthouse that will take you to the wall that shows all the things heard in court and what they are in the courtroom.

3. You should wait outside the courtroom before your testimony. Ask your lawyer where you have to wait. When you are called, you will make your way to the witness stand to the side and in front of the bench, where you'll either swear or affirm to tell the truth.

4. Be aware that there is a possibility that you will not be called to appear at the scheduled time, and you may have to come back at another time.

5. Do not bring bottled water, food or coffee, into the courtroom. You will be offered water when you appear, or if you do not, you can ask a lawyer to question you.

6. When the judge comes into the courtroom and leaves the courtroom, the officer will say, "All rise." Stand up to either a judge sitting or leaving the room.

7. If you are in the Provincial Court when addressing the judge, you may call him "Your Honour." If you are in the Supreme Court, you will address the judge as "My Lord."

8. In court, If you are a professional witness, consult your files before you go to court so that the main facts are fresh or kept in your mind. You may ask for permission if you need to view your notes during your testimony to refresh your memory.

9. Listen carefully to the questions you asked and just answer the specific questions you may ask. Do not provide additional information. Do not exaggerate or babble.

10. Do not disturb the lawyer who asks you questions before he has finished asking. Wait until the lawyers stop talking. Obviously, you do not have to interrupt a good judge.

11. If you do not understand any question or hear it properly, ask the lawyer to rephrase or repeat it.

12. Never guess the answer or make up an answer. If you do not know the answers to the questions asked, just say that you do not know or do not remember it as the case may be.

13. If you made a mistake in your evidence, correct it as soon as possible.

14. When you give evidence, make sure you see the judge and the lawyer asking questions. You provide information to the court and not a lawyer. It may feel awkward, but it will help the judge to follow your evidence.

15. Speak clearly when you answer. Do not use gestures or sounds instead of words (e.g., Nod your head or say "mmhmm" instead of saying "yes"). A transcript is made of what is happening in court, which does not translate into a record.

16. Do not refuse to answer questions. If the question is inappropriate, other lawyers will object, and the judge will decide whether you should answer or not answer.

17. Try not to argue with a lawyer to question you, and do not show anger or rudeness. Stay calm and neutral. Stick with the actual facts as you know them.

18. When appearing, you are there to provide the court with the facts. Do not volunteer an opinion or conclusion on matters in issue.

19. Try to avoid testifying what other people say because of this so-called "hearsay," and the evidence is usually not allowed. When possible, simply submit your own observations.

20. Try to be natural and relaxed.