If you were recently charged with assault, you may feel overwhelmed and scared about your future. However, what you do and say at your court hearing can have an impact on your final outcome. Getting ready for your first court hearing can definitely be nerve-wracking, but preparing ahead of time can alleviate some of your anxiety.
Here are some tips for attending court for an assault charge.
Dress Properly
Court is not the place to wear sweatpants and a t-shirt. When you walk into a courtroom, you want to show respect to the judge by dressing appropriately. That’s why you should wear something that you may wear to a job interview or church service. Men may want to wear dark slacks and a dress shirt while women may want to wear a long skirt or slacks with a blouse.
Don’t Be Late
When you’re dealing with an assault charge, one of the worst things you can do is be late to your court date. The judge will see that as disrespectful. If you’re tardy, that could negatively affect the outcome of your case. That’s why you should leave a few minutes early for your court date. If traffic will be heavy or the weather will be bad, you may need to leave even earlier. If you can’t help but be late to your court date, call your lawyer ahead of time to let him or her know.
Be Polite
No matter how angry or frustrated you are, you should always be polite and respectful to everyone in court. When you speak to the judge, refer to him or her as “Your Honor.” If the other party says something that you don’t agree with, resist the urge to argue with them and call them names. Direct all your comments to the judge.
Plan for Childcare
If you have young children, plan to leave them with a family member or babysitter. Some courts may not allow you to bring children with you. Plus, your children may distract you and make it more difficult to pay attention to what the judge is telling you.
Hire a Criminal Lawyer
If you haven’t already, retain the services of a criminal lawyer. An assault charge is a serious matter, so it’s good to have someone with knowledge and experience on your side. He or she can also help prepare you for your court date and ease your nerves.
If you follow these tips, your court hearing should go much more smoothly. If you have further questions, talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney in San Mateo, CA.
Thanks to The Morales Law Firm for their insight into criminal law and tips for attending court for an assault charge.