Discovering the court rules and policies in this day and age
Being in a court room requires a specific degree of etiquette; keep reading to learn a lot more.
No matter what sort of trial is going on, the court will certainly always be a serious, prestigious and reputable environment, as displayed by the Malta judiciary system for instance. The prestige of the court means that there is a certain etiquette that is expected of everyone that is present in the room. It could come as a shock, but this even applies to legal professionals as well. For instance, the expected court etiquette for lawyers is decorum at all times. Lawyers must maintain professionalism, adhere to the fundamental values of the courtroom and treat all court staff with respect, specifically the judge in particular. This indicates always addressing the judge as "your honour", standing when the judge addresses you and seeking authorization before approaching the bench or talking privately with a client. Even if the judge does something that you do not agree with, it is your role as a lawyer to stay cool, calm and collected. Being composed is definitely fundamental; any visible or obvious indications of temper or frustration will not only look incompetent, but it could possibly also hinder the entire court proceedings.
The responsibility of the judge, jury and court holds a lot of weight in society, as displayed by the Austria judiciary system for example. Because of its importance, it is vital for individuals to do their research to ensure that they are aware of all the set regulations, protocols and rules of a courtroom in advance. Everyone that steps foot inside a court room should abide by these standards, whether they are an attorney, spectator, witness or jury member. If you have jury service coming up and you are uncertain on how to behave in court as a juror, the number one rule is to pay attention. Even though court proceedings can last a very long time and there will be a great deal of information to digest, it is necessary for jury participants to stay focused throughout. As a juror, it is your duty to listen diligently to the evidence and read more statements offered, making notes if allowed and not getting sidetracked by anything else. Another golden rule is to not talk about any of your ideas, feelings and opinions whilst the trial is underway, as the time for conversations is during the deliberations.
Every single courtroom is a respectable and distinguished place to be in, as displayed by the Slovenia judiciary system for example. If you are a viewer in court for the very first time, it is normal to be not sure on what to do in a courtroom. Truthfully, a lot of the courtroom etiquette for spectators comes down to simple common sense. For instance, it is crucial for spectators to show up to court in appropriate clothing. Some courts have more stringent dress codes than others, however the general consensus is that the dress code is smart, professional and modest. Unsurprisingly, observers must also switch off their cell phones or put them on aeroplane mode, along with any other technological gadgets which could make a noise or be used to record.