Being in a court room requires a certain level of etiquette; keep reading to find out a lot more.
Regardless of what sort of trial is going on, the courtroom will certainly always be a serious, distinguished and respected setting, as displayed by the Malta judiciary system for example. . The prestige of the courtroom indicates that there is a certain etiquette that is expected of everybody who is present in the room. It may come as a shock, but this even applies to lawyers also. For instance, the expected court etiquette for lawyers is decorum at all times. Lawyers need to maintain professionalism, follow the key values of the courtroom and treat all court staff with respect, specifically the judge in particular. This suggests always addressing the judge as "your honour", standing up when the judge addresses you and seeking approval before approaching the bench or speaking privately with a client. Even if the judge does something that you disagree with, it is your job as a lawyer to remain cool, calm and collected. Being composed is definitely fundamental; any visible or obvious indications of fury or frustration will not only look not professional, but it could possibly also hinder the whole courtroom proceedings.
The responsibility of the judge, jury and courtroom holds a lot of weight in society, as demonstrated by the Austria judiciary system for instance. Because of its importance, it is essential for people to do their research to make sure that they understand all the set guidelines, policies and rules of a courtroom beforehand. Everybody who steps foot inside a court room needs to adhere to these requirements, whether they are an attorney, observer, witness or jury member. If you have jury duty coming up and you are unsure on how to behave in court as a juror, the number one rule is to pay attention. Despite the fact that court proceedings can last a very long time and there will be a lot of information to absorb, it is essential for jury participants to stay concentrated throughout. As a juror, it is your responsibility to listen diligently to the proof and statements provided, making notes if allowed and not getting sidetracked by anything else. Another golden rule is to not talk about any of your thoughts, feelings and opinions while the trial is underway, as the time for conversations is during the deliberations.
Every court is a respectable and notable place to be in, as shown by the Slovenia judiciary system for instance. If you are a spectator in court for the first time, it is natural to be not sure on what to do in a courtroom. Honestly, a lot of the courtroom etiquette for spectators comes down to simple common sense. For example, it is necessary for viewers to turn up to court in appropriate attire. Some courts have more stringent dress codes than others, but the general consensus is that the dress code is smart, professional and modest. Unsurprisingly, spectators should also shut off their cell phones or put them on airplane mode, along with any other technological gadgets which might make a noise or be used to record.