“Attitude really is everything. Some people can get into a presidential press conference without credentials and some people cannot get into a public park on the Fourth of July.”
Dr. Arthur Rapkin
In order to influence people, judges included, it is critical that you get their respect and in order to get it, you have to first give it. Before you start to smirk and claim that everyone knows that, I will easily prove you wrong. While I will focus upon defendants, in criminal proceedings, the advice contained herein is readily applicable to appearances in any and all court proceedings as a defendant or a plaintiff.
On a hot summer day, go to your local courthouse and watch a criminal proceeding. Yes, they are most certainly open to the public. The person on the receiving end of the proceedings is called the defendant. Observe how the defendants almost universally present themselves. Now these are the people whose finances and freedoms are literally at stake.
A great many appear as if they are on their way to the beach, taking an inconvenient stopover in court, dressed in shorts, flipflops, and ratty old t-shirts with questionable hygiene.
Every defendant wants favors from the judge assigned to their case. Those favors range from requesting a lighter sentence to lowering fines to outright dismissal of the charge. They base their requests for the various favors upon the claimed facts that the charge does not reflect who they really are and that they will take a solemn oath that the judge will never see them in their courtroom ever again.
However, while they are making their pitch, to the judge, their image is speaking over them, actually screaming over them. That image is yelling to the judge that the defendant is being disrespectful to the court and to rightly ignore what they are saying as actions really do speak louder than words. Actually, the defendant appears to be no different from the other defendants appearing before or after the defendant. The defendant looks and acts like a guilty person. The judge thinks that it is about time for lunch and denies the request; adjourning the proceedings.
Who knew? Who could not see this coming? How about the defendant? Certainly not.
If you are going to try to influence another person, dress like you deserve to be believed. Dress against the current. Don’t dress like a defendant. Dress like you are not a defendant and appear not to belong in court.
I advise my clients to always wear a suit when appearing in court. If they do not own one, then they have to purchase one. Should finances be a problem, there are always suits available at Goodwill or thrift stores. Purchase a suit, tie, white shirt, and shoes. Yes, shoes as well and make certain to get them shined. Take that extra step to get the suit altered so that it reasonably fits and then get it cleaned and pressed. Those will be monies well spent. Your goal should be to make every effort to appear that you do not belong in court. Be courteous to all of the court personnel, and, of course, especially courteous to the judge.
Yes, attitude really is everything.