How to Make a Good Impression in Court

Just the idea of having to appear in court is enough to induce panic attack levels of adrenaline in most people. You most likely are not accustomed to the feel of a courtroom or standing in front of a judge, being scrutinized. To top it off, odds are you aren’t in court because of something good you did. In today’s society, it is fairly common for people to choose to hire an attorney to help them with their case. This helps them to avoid the awkwardness of standing in front of a judge or in front of opposing counsel sweating and stammering. No one wants to find themselves in this situation so, in order to help you put your best foot forward on the big day, here is a handy guide to help ensure that you make a good first impression in the courtroom.

Do Not Miss Your Court Hearing

If you have a summons are expected to be in court on a particular day and time, you need to make every effort to do so. If you show up late (or not at all), the judge will very likely rule against you. You may even get additional court fees added on to your sentencing. If you do have a summons to appear in court, be certain to get there 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time so that you have enough time to find the room you have been assigned to. If you are the party that initially filed the lawsuit and you flake out on your hearing date, the judge will probably throw your case out altogether.

Put the Internet to Work for You

When it comes to courtroom preparation, the internet is a wealth of information. You don’t need to memorize various laws and court cases, but you can use the internet to teach yourself some of the legal jargon that is commonly used in a courtroom. This way you can avoid asking the judge to stop what he is doing so he can explain basic terminology to you. It might also help you to watch a few trials that may have things in common with your case. Doing this may give you some unexpected insight or information regarding how to handle your own case in the event that you are representing yourself. Having a general idea of what to expect will help you to stay calm when it is your turn to present your case and when it is time to hear the judge’s ruling.

Follow the Rules

Every judge has their own set of rules that they expect you to follow when you are inside of their courtroom. In order to be prepared to make a good first impression on your presiding judge, call ahead and ask the court clerk to what your judge’s expectations are when it comes to the behavior and decorum in his courtroom. There is almost nothing more stressful than being reprimanded by a judge because you didn’t know what you were supposed to be doing at that time.

If you are facing a day in court for any reason, and you have questions about what to do or how to act, it would be in your best interest to work with an experienced California personal injury attorney. It is important to make a good first impression, but it is also important that your lawsuit has the very best outcome that it possibly can. A qualified personal injury attorney will be able to assist you with all aspects of your lawsuit, and that will include preparing you to make a positive impression in court. Here at the Los Angeles Injury Group we have the knowledge and the experience to seek the maximum amount of compensation that you can receive in accordance with the law. We will help you build your legal claim from the ground up and stand by you from beginning to end. For a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys, call us at (310) 954-7248 today.