People who go to court regularly, such as lawyers and court employees, already understand the protocols of dressing for court. Much like a job interview, first impressions can make a world of difference.
If this is your first court appearance in Orlando, it’s essential to wear something conservative, suitable, and shows competence and respect to the court whether you’re an attorney, attendee, witness or defendant. You can be thrown out of court for dressing inappropriately.
For Men: suits, shirts, and ties in conservative colors, such as navy blue, and dark grey. The darker the suit, the better. Black, however, may be too dark. Dress shirts should be white or blue with collar stays, since those stay down a better than the button-downs. Ties should be blue or black. A fresh haircut and a clean shave is also a good idea. Avoid vibrant colors and jewelry. If you have them, cover all tattoos. And of course, dress shoes.
For Women: much like men, stick to conservative, traditional colors such as dark grey and navy, and modest tailoring. Avoid anything that’s tight, short, revealing or suggestive. Hair should be neatly done. Conservative pumps or other dark dress shoes complete the outfit. Bright colors and patterns may make it difficult for the judge to take you seriously.
Makeup and jewelry should be kept to a minimum. This is particularly true if you are going to court regarding financial matters. Wearing something bold or flashy may give the appearance that you have more than enough money.
Statement pieces and the newest look from a fashion magazine are best left to work, the club or other non-judicial places. Court is a serious matter, and dressing for it will show you take it seriously.
To err on the side of conservative, these should not be worn to court:
This is just a primer of dressing for court. Your attorney can answer individual questions before your court appearance and can offer guidance so you’ll be properly dressed for your appearance.
Going to court is serious business, but we’re ready to help guide you through it. We take each case seriously and do everything we can to provide high-quality legal services.
Our team has over 100 years of combined experience serving the Orlando community and can use our knowledge to create a comprehensive defense to get you the best results possible. Contact our office for a free case evaluation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
