For most people, going to court is nerve-wracking. While the courtroom isn’t always a negative place, it usually means something very serious is going on, so you need to be as prepared as possible.
While there are countless different reasons why you might be in court, as well as different types of cases, the basic preparation stage is fairly universal. So, here’s how you can get ready.
Hire an Appropriate Attorney
The first step you should take is to hire an attorney that’s appropriate to your situation and court case. As mentioned, there are many different reasons why you might be called into court, and there are almost as many kinds of lawyers.
Attornies train to specialize in specific types of cases. For example, if there are implications of sexual extortion involved in your case, which would make it a serious crime with potentially huge consequences, you wouldn’t want an attorney who is only well-versed in financial law.
Your lawyer won’t just argue your case for you in court, they will also help you prepare for the court case and guide you through the whole process. Their job is to create an argument to make sure that you get the best possible outcome and to ensure that you’ve been treated fairly by the legal system, no matter whether you’re a defendant or on the prosecution side.
Get the Right Clothes
The way you dress seems like the least important thing to worry about when you’re going to court, but it can make a huge difference. While you’re largely dealing with the law and facts and figures, you’re also dealing with people.
Showing respect to the judge and, if applicable, the jury, can have a huge impact on how they feel about you. This can, in turn, affect the result of your court case.
Respect comes down to behavior and appearance. You can act respectfully by only speaking when spoken to in the courtroom and keeping your tone and words polite. You also show respect by dressing appropriately, which typically means fairly formally or in a businesslike manner.
Do Your Research
While your lawyer will do most of the legal research and legwork, it’s still a good idea to make sure that they have all of the information they need to do their job correctly. For example, if you’re struggling with insolvency issues and have to go to court because you can’t pay off your debts, it helps to make sure that you have all of the paperwork related to your case and your finances available.
Turn Up on the Day
This is one of the most obvious but also important things that you can do to ensure a better result in court. Attending court is usually mandatory, but even if you can technically miss your court date, it’s never a good idea.
Remember what we said about showing respect? Unless you have a very good reason to not attend court on that day, you will likely get a much worse outcome if you don’t attend court. So, dress well, be prepared, and turn up.