Be Prepared and on Time for Court

Be ready and be on time when you go to court.

Be ready and be prepared:  Plan what to wear before the day of court. Make sure that your clothes are clean and appropriate for court.  Do not wear tank tops, T-shirts, see-through clothing, torn-up clothes, shorts, short skirts, provocative dresses, or clothing with vulgar or offensive slogans.  Clean up, be well groomed, and dress neatly.  Your appearance may affect how the judge views and considers your case.

Do not overeat or drink too many fluids before court.  If you do overeat or too many fluids, you more likely will have to take a rest room break, and your case may be booted to the end of the docket.  You can spend hours waiting for the judge to hear your case and pay your lawyer to sit and wait because you were not available.

Be on time for court:  Do not be late.  Arrive early, find a parking spot, go through security, and find the courtroom where your case is docketed.  Let your lawyer know that you are present.  Before going through security, make sure that you do not have any firearms, weapons, drugs, or other contraband with you.  If you do, you likely will face other criminal charges.  When going through a security line, do not joke about having weapons, drugs, or contraband.  The security personnel may not consider your words a joke, but a threat.  Do not take a chance.  Before entering the correct courtroom, turn your cellphone off or to silent, sit quietly, pay close attention, wait for the court to call your case, and follow the judge’s and court officers’ directions.

Leave home early for court and allow plenty of time to make the trip. You may be delayed by a traffic jam, face road closures, have difficulty finding the courthouse, and/or get confused about which courtroom you must appear in. You also may face a slow security line, non-working elevators, crowds, or other unforeseen problems.  Again, do not be late.

If your lawyer is late entering the courtroom, the court will be understanding; when the docket is sounded, just let the judge and court officials know who your lawyer is.  Nevertheless, it is a big deal if you are late to court or fail to show up on time.  In a criminal case, the court likely will issue a bench warrant and revoke your bond, and law enforcement officers may arrest you at your residence or workplace.  In criminal courts, you likely will be charged for additional offenses like failing to appear in court, which carries criminal penalties such as fines and jail time. If you are late in a civil case, you can lose your case or an important motion.

When summoned to court, be prepared and be on time.  If you are charged with a crime or required to be in court, secure a lawyer’s assistance.  If you are required to go to court and you have questions or need a lawyer, contact Nashville Attorney Perry A. Craft.