{"id":369010,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/going-to-court\/your-conduct-in-court-can-affect-your-case.html"},"modified":"2024-03-28T08:39:55","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T13:39:55","slug":"your-conduct-in-court-can-affect-your-case","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/your-conduct-in-court-can-affect-your-case.html","title":{"rendered":"Courtroom Decorum: How To Conduct Yourself in Court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Courtroom Decorum: How To Conduct Yourself in Court<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Your conduct in court can make a big impression on the judge and jurors. It pays to know the appropriate way to act in the courtroom. This includes observing court etiquette and understanding the court’s procedures and rules.<\/p>\r\n

This article covers courtroom decorum and how failing to observe the rules may have a negative impact on your case.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Courtroom Decorum?<\/h2>\r\n

Decorum refers to proper behaviors and etiquette in the courtroom. Parties to a case must conduct themselves properly, such as observing decorum during a court appearance or when interacting with the judge or other court staff. In other words, you should be on your best behavior during your case and when you appear in front of the judge.<\/p>\r\n

Whether you have a criminal or civil case<\/a>, decorum rules apply to any court proceeding. Even in the small claims court<\/a>, which often follows relaxed rules of evidence<\/a> and civil procedure<\/a>, litigants must still observe decorum.<\/p>\r\n

Examples of decorum include the following:<\/p>\r\n