Court Decorum

Effective 08/01/2022 No bags of any kind will be allowed in the courtroom.


Court is in session whenever the Judge is on the Bench. While the Court is in session, unless the Judge directs otherwise the following conduct must be observed:

  1. No smoking or use of tobacco products, including snuff or chewing tobacco.
  2. No propping feet or sitting on tables, railings or the backs of benches or chairs.
  3. No loud noises. Any children brought into the Courtroom must be quiet or they must be removed from the Courtroom.
  4. No eating, drinking or gum chewing.
  5. No standing in the Courtroom, except when addressing the Court or by direction of the Judge or when necessitated by the business of the Court.
  6. No gestures, facial expressions or sounds indicating approval or disapproval of a ruling by the Court or a comment on testimony of a witness.
  7. All persons, whether lawyers, parties, witnesses, jurors, or spectators, conducting business, participating in trials, or otherwise attending proceedings in a courtroom ,shall be dressed appropriately so as to maintain the dignity, integrity, decorum, seriousness and professional atmosphere of the Court and the administration of justice. As such, no inappropriate attire will be allowed, including:
    1. clothing with vulgar, profane, or obscene messages,
    2. visible undergarments,
    3. tank tops, spaghetti straps, etc. (Shoulders must be covered),
    4. holes in clothing where skin is visible,
    5. bare midriff,
    6. head coverings other than for religious or medical purposes,
    7. short shorts
  8. No unattended children in the Courtroom. Children under the age of 8 and children 8 and older, who cannot sit alone, cannot be brought to a courtroom without an adult or older responsible child, who can accompany them out of the Courtroom, if necessary.
  9. No cellular telephones are to be used in the Courtroom. ALL cell phones must be powered off at all times, except by express permission of the Judge. Electronic tablets or laptop computers may not be used in the Courtroom, except by attorneys, their staffs and pro se Defendants, while processing a case or docket. Any device which rings or otherwise makes noise may be taken by the Bailiff and not returned until the conclusion of the court proceeding.
  10. Absolutely no illegal weapons shall be brought into the courtroom, with the exception of those intended to be offered as evidence. Commissioned peace officers may bring weapons in the courtroom. The Judge shall have the discretion to have any object removed from the courtroom.