Appearing in Court

You are required to appear in court on the date the motion is scheduled to be heard.

 

Give yourself extra time to get to the courtroom since all visitors are required to go through metal detectors. You should bring your copies of the papers with you and any papers and affidavits that you have not yet filed with the court.

 

The courtroom is presided over by a Judge, who is assisted by a court attorney, a clerk, and a court officer. The court officer will be in uniform. He or she maintains order in the courtroom. The clerk usually will sit at a desk at the front of the courtroom. They can answer any questions you may have about the calendar or the Judge’s rules. The court attorney, who is a lawyer, assists the Judge, who sits on the bench and hears the cases, motions and makes the rulings.  

 

Appropriate, more conservative dress attire is best. Be respectful of the Judge and the court at all times and keep your voice low.

 

Do not be surprised if there are several other motions and cases being heard at the same time as yours. Your attorney may be elsewhere in the building prior to your appointed time, negotiating and reviewing your case. Sit quietly until you are called by the court.