Preparing for Court in California

It is important to be prepared, understand the rules and know what to expect before walking into a California court. How you behave in court may affect the outcome of your case. This begins at home when you are getting dressed for your court appearance. You don’t have to wear a suit, although that is a good idea, but you should dress as neatly as possible, as if you were trying to land a job or going to church.

Do not wear jeans, short skirts, t-shirts, sleeveless or midriff-baring tops, or sneakers. Avoid bright colors, clothes with logos or words on them, tight or provocative clothing, and excessive amounts of jewelry or make-up. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s something you would wear for a night out with your friends, do not wear it in a California court.

Choose dark, subdued colors for court. Wear long-sleeved shirts that button up and slacks if you’re a man, and a nice blouse and pants or a dress if you are a woman. Wear an undershirt or a bra. Make sure your clothes are clean and do not have holes. Keep your pants pulled up so that your underwear does not show, and tuck in your shirt before going into court.

If you show the judge that you respect yourself, and also keep in mind that respecting the judge is also important, then the judge will return the respect and it will help your case if you are perceived in a good light. Do yourself a favor and put your best foot forward in court.