Most people are aware of courtroom proceedings, what their charges mean, and what their options are should their case proceed to trial. Unfortunately, few people understand just how important it is to follow basic courtroom etiquette when charged with a criminal offense in Oklahoma. Even if they aren’t technically supposed to, judges and juries, like …
Most people are aware of courtroom proceedings, what their charges mean, and what their options are should their case proceed to trial. Unfortunately, few people understand just how important it is to follow basic courtroom etiquette when charged with a criminal offense in Oklahoma. Even if they aren’t technically supposed to, judges and juries, like anyone else, make judgments based on first impressions, and if you appear in court with a five-o’clock shadow and rumpled clothes, it’s likely this judgment won’t be a good one. If you are facing criminal charges in Oklahoma, keep the following courtroom tips in mind and contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center as soon as possible.
Six Tips to Follow in an Oklahoma Courtroom
- Be on time to court. Leave early in case you get stuck in rush hour traffic, construction traffic, traffic caused by an accident, or even stuck behind a school bus or slow-moving truck. Use Mapquest directions or a GPS device to make sure you don’t get lost on your way to the courthouse, and keep in mind that there may be limited parking around the courthouse.
- Bring at least five to ten dollars to pay for long-term parking or bring at least four to eight quarters to feed a parking meter for short-term parking. Consider driving to the courthouse in the days prior to your appearance so you know where you need to park and can reduce your risk of getting lost or being late because of a long walk from your parking spot.
- Dress appropriately for court. You may not be permitted to enter some court rooms if you are wearing shorts or other articles of clothing a courthouse might deem inappropriate. You will be asked to remove your sunglasses and hat when you are inside the courtroom. By wearing professional attire and avoiding unusual hairstyles or colors, you can avoid being unfairly judged by those presiding over your case. If you wear clothing that suggests you do drugs or break the law, it may cause others to assume you are guilty of the offense you have been charged with.
- Adopt a polite and positive attitude in and out of court. Gather any information, letters, recommendations, medical records and proof of employment that might help your case. Nobody wants to be in court, but any behavior or evidence that puts you in a better light in the eyes of the judge and jury can only improve your changes of a favorable outcome in court.
- If you suffer from medical or mental issues, bring proof of your condition to court and give a copy to your criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
- If your charges involve a vehicle and you have insurance on the vehicle, bring proof of the insurance to court. If your charges involve drugs and you or a family member has a prescription for the drug, bring a copy of the prescription to court and give a copy to your attorney as soon as possible.
Contact an OK Criminal Defense Attorney Today
It’s easy to forget just how big an impression your appearance can have on the judge and jury assigned to your case. Because of simple factors like this, your first course of action after being charged with a criminal offense in Oklahoma should be to hire a qualified criminal defense attorney to represent your case. At Oklahoma Legal Center, our criminal defense lawyers have years of experience helping Oklahomans defend themselves in court, and can help you present yourself in the best possible light regardless of the charges. Our law firm is located in Oklahoma City, and our attorneys will fight to defend your legal rights and help you build the strongest defense possible.