Courtroom etiquette is something that everyone should follow as soon as they step foot inside the building; carry on reading to figure out why.
The responsibility of the judge, jury and courtroom holds a lot of weight in society, as shown by the Austria judiciary system for example. As a result of its importance, it is vital for people to do their research so that they understand all the set guidelines, policies and rules of a courtroom in advance. Everyone who steps foot inside a courtroom must abide by these standards, whether they are an attorney, observer, witness or jury member. If you have jury service coming up and you are unsure on how to behave in court as a juror, the number one rule is to pay attention. Even though court proceedings can last a long time and there will be a lot of information to digest, it is important for jury members to remain concentrated throughout. As a juror, it is your duty to listen attentively to the proof and statements presented, making notes if allowed and not getting sidetracked by anything else. Another golden rule is to not talk about any of your ideas, feelings and opinions while the trial is underway, as the time for conversations is during the deliberation process.
Regardless of what sort of trial is going on, the court will certainly always be a serious, prestigious and respected environment, as displayed by the Malta judiciary system for instance. The status of the courtroom suggests that there is a particular etiquette that is expected of every person who is present in the room. It might come as a surprise, but this even applies to legal professionals as well. For example, the expected court etiquette for lawyers is decorum at all times. Lawyers have to maintain professionalism, adhere to the fundamental values of the courtroom and treat all court workers with respect, especially the . judge in particular. This implies always addressing the judge as "your honour", standing when the judge addresses you and seeking authorization before approaching the bench or talking privately with a client. Even if the judge does something that you do not agree with, it is your role as a lawyer to stay cool, calm and collected. Being composed is absolutely fundamental; any kind of noticeable or obvious signs of temper or irritation will not only look incompetent, but it could also hinder the entire court room proceedings.
Each and every single court is a respectable and distinguished place to be in, as demonstrated by the Slovenia judiciary system for instance. If you are a spectator in court for the very first time, it is normal to be unsure on what to do in a courtroom. Truthfully, a lot of the courtroom etiquette for spectators boils down to basic common sense. For instance, it is very important for viewers to show up to court in appropriate attire. Some courts have stricter dress codes than others, yet the general consensus is that the dress code is smart, professional and modest. Unsurprisingly, viewers must also shut off their mobile phones or put them on airplane mode, along with any other technological devices which could make a noise or be used to record.