Remember that this is usually your first and only time to impress the judge or jury. You want to dress appropriately! It is important to look neat, clean, and professional. I often tell clients to dress as though they were going to a job interview. It’s not required that you go out and buy a new outfit for court, but here are some helpful tips:
Things to Wear:
- Appropriate Shoes
- Slacks or khaki pants
- Collared shirt – tucked in
- Tie
- Dress or pantsuit
- Skirt – not too short
- Nice sweater
Things NOT to Wear:
- Especially if they are old, ripped, or stained.
- Shorts or short skirts.
- Athletic Clothing. Sweatpants and a hoodie is good for working out, but not appropriate courtroom attire.
- Hats or sunglasses. Most courts will require you remove them prior to entering the courtroom anyway.
- Inappropriate shoes. Do not wear flip-flops, worn out sneakers, or stilettos. Also be mindful of the cost of the shoes. It may not be a good idea to wear $500 heels to court.
- Revealing clothing. You want to make sure everything that should be covered is covered. Do not wear crop tops, tank tops with spaghetti straps, sleeveless shirts, or low-cut tops.
- T-shirts with inappropriate pictures or slogans. Common sense says you probably should not wear a beer shirt to your DUII trial.
- Flashy jewelry.
- It should go without saying, but I have seen it before.
Other considerations:
Some courts are very conservative and may not look kindly on tattoos or body-piercings. It’s a good idea to talk to your attorney first to decide if it is necessary to cover up your tattoos or remove your piercings before court. Same applies to non-natural hair colors. You can also contact Eggert Law Firm, and we can help you out with any questions you might have appropriate clothing attire.