I was recently summoned to attend court because I am the primary witness in a purse snatching ordeal. I am wondering, do I have to dress up? I go to class afterwards and I don’t want to be wearing a shirt and tie if I can help it.
Going to class and saying “yeah, I was in court”!!! dammit take that opportunity!!!
But you can dress smart without a tie. Think of the best Sunday lunch with a distant relative/odd family friend/whatever. That’s the behaviour expected of you.
And when you’re in court, TAKE YOUR TIME. Don’t be pressurised into quick answers. If you want to think, say “I need to think”. Courts have no time limit.
The thing is, I DON’T want to be there!!! Class = college so no one would know or care…
You mean you don’t want to be in court?
No one’s going to make you dress up, but consider the fact that your appearance and mannerisms communicate something about your credibility.
rereading, I see you don’t want to be there.
Weeeellll…TOUGH…
Unfortunatley, without people giving evidence, nearly ever criminal would walk free. It’s a moral responsibility to give evidence when asked. If you’ve particular worries about being identified after giving evidence (or even before) then speak to a policeman.
You’ll be showing your respect for the court and the person on whose behalf you’ll be testifying by treating the appearance seriously and wearing a jacket and tie. (I assume this is what you meant, or do you usually go to class barechested?) Just do it. It’s what real grownups do.
Is it so hard to take off the tie as you leave the courthouse?
Most people dress up for court, so if you don’t then you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. In what few dealings I’ve had with the courts, I’ve seen a couple of judges make comments about people who weren’t dressed in a tie, to the effect that they weren’t showing respect to the court. If it were me, I’d be dressed up in my sunday best just to make sure I don’t tick off the judge.
I was once a witness to a shoplifting. I sat in court all morning long, then found out that they released the guy on his own recognisance, which the judge was pretty ticked off about. He was a homeless guy, and the judge said “now where do we go to pick him up now that he didn’t show up?” It was a complete waste of most of my day, but still I had to go. That’s life.
Take a change of clothes with you and change in the bathroom before you go to class.
I got off some traffic tickets because I wore a suit. Appearently people around here don’t dress up for court that much. The DA or what ever it is we have in Michigan was so impressed he did not take those tickets to trial.
The moral is wearing a suit to court can only help. Not wearing a suit can only hurt. In your case it will add crediability.
I will assume you are a prosecution witness, why not call their office up and ask how you should dress? Or ask the court bailiff as to what the dress code is.
First of all, do dress up in a shirt and tie, and just bring a change of clothing with you.
Second, talk to your profs. A few of mine have a policy of extending extra credit for jury duty, and presumably this extends to testifying. (Oddly enough, it does not include being a defendant. Go figure. ;)) Can’t hurt to ask.
Robin
Here – I’m familiar with Chicago and its western suburbs – the only people who usually wear suits in court are the lawyers, the expert witnesses, and some of the defendants. I’d ask the district/state’s attorney’s office if you’re worried, or dress business casual, which is unlikely to offend. Do be prepared to wait around only to called back another day. Judges are mostly concerned about the witnesses’ convenience, but the system often works against it.
I understand you really don’t want to show in court, but (nag, nag, nag) it really is your civic duty.
That being said, let your professors know you’ve been summoned; they should let you make up the class. If they’re a real hard-ass about it, I’m sure the ADA will be happy to give a call.
As to dress: you really can’t go wrong with a caot and tie, but at the very least wear a collared shirt and a sports coat. DO NOT wear a hat of any type. I’ve seen judges hand out comtempt charges like candy to people wearing ball caps in their court room.
Also, make sure your phone or pager is turned off. My one turn in the witness box the page I thought was turned off went off. Cost me $50. Worst thing was it was from my boss who knew I was going to be in court that day.