Litigation Law Firm
If you have decided to take your personal injury case to trial, you will have to spend some time in a courtroom. The courtroom can be an intimidating place, so it is understandable if you feel nervous. However, if you know what to say and do in court, it can make things a little less stressful.
Here are the do’s and don’ts of going to court.
Do:
- Dress professionally. One of the best ways to make a good impression in court is to dress like a professional. While wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt might be more comfortable, these clothes might not help you make the impression you want to make. Instead, wear clothes that you would wear to a job interview.
- Prepare with your lawyer beforehand. Before each court date, it’s a good idea to prepare what you are going to say with your personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can coach you on what to say and not to say in court.
- Be respectful. When you go to court for your personal injury case, it’s important to always show respect to everyone. For example, you should always address the judge as “Your Honor.” You also want to address other court personnel as “Sir” or “Ma’am.”
Don’t:
- Arrive late. The last thing you want is to be late for court. It shows a lack of respect, and the judge may frown upon that. Remember that you will have to go through a metal detector and place your belongings through an x-ray machine. This can sometimes take a while, so be sure to arrive a little early.
- Interrupt. When you are in court, you should listen carefully to what everyone says, including the judge and the other side’s lawyer. Never interrupt them. If something is not clear, wait until they are done speaking to ask for clarification.
- Make guesses. When you are on trial for a personal injury case, your lawyer and the other side’s lawyer may ask you multiple questions. If you do not know the answer to a question, you should not just speculate. Just simply say that you do not know the answer to that question.
If you want to file a personal injury claim, you should get in touch with a litigation law firm, like Brown Kiely LLP, as soon as possible.