How to act in court

A Levels Academy Islamabad

Transcript

00:00You've heard it all. How to act on a first date, on a job interview, in a public swimming

00:05pool, with your in-laws. But how you act in court can prove to be the most consequential

00:11of them all. LegalYou.com is always here to help prepare you for representing yourself.

00:17And your court behavior is as important as anything else.

00:21Knowing what to do and what not to do can help you avoid needless problems and distractions

00:26from the case at hand. Let's start with some basic stuff. Be punctual.

00:31Give yourself time to park and find the right courtroom. Dress neatly. You are making an

00:36impression. Be courteous and respectful to everyone in court, especially the judge. Doing

00:42otherwise is never a good option. Address the judge as your honor when he or

00:48she asks you a question. Stand up and face them to answer. In any court case scenario,

00:54speak clearly and sincerely. Avoid being argumentative, sarcastic, whiny, or overly

01:00dramatic. Never interrupt. And when you are stating specific facts, like dates and times,

01:06be just that—specific. If you can't, make it clear you're estimating. This links back

01:12to proper preparation for the case, which would include familiarizing yourself with

01:17all your paperwork and labeling your exhibits. Make sure you have at least two copies of

01:22any photo or document you plan on submitting to the judge. Additionally, don't bring

01:27food or drinks. Bring a friend for support if needed, but make sure they remain silent.

01:32If you have young kids, you should avoid taking them to court. Hire a babysitter or ask a

01:37friend to take care of them while you're in court. And be sure that you've put enough

01:41money in the parking meter when you come into the courthouse. If the proceedings have started,

01:46you may not be able to leave to feed the meter. Essentially, you want to avoid doing anything

01:50that will be distracting, disrespectful, or destructive to the court's processes.

01:55In the end, it gives you the best chance of defending yourself.