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Menu
  • About
  • Pre-Arrest
    • Alcohol’s Impact on the Body
    • Am I Ok to Drive?
    • Implied Consent
      • Breath Testing
      • Draeger 9250
      • Refusing a Breathalyzer
    • Connecticut Police
      • The Phases of Police Detection
      • Initial Stops
    • National Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
      • Connecticut DUI Field Sobriety Tests
      • One Leg Stand Test
      • Walk and Turn Test
      • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
      • Unvalidated DUI Field Tests
      • Drug Tests at the Field
    • Drug Tests at the Police Station
    • Passengers in DUI
  • Court Process
    • Hiring a Lawyer
      • Why You Need a Lawyer
      • Finding an Attorney
      • Retaining an Attorney
      • How a Lawyer Helps
    • Connecticut DUI General Statutes
    • Open Container Laws
    • Underage Drinking Laws
    • Connecticut DUI Arrest
      • After DUI Arrest
    • DUI Basics
      • First Steps in DUI Case
      • Important DUI Cases
      • Common Defenses
      • How to Conduct Yourself in Court
    • DUI Case and Personal Injury Case
      • Getting Sued
      • DUIs and Hit and Runs
      • DUI and Additional Crimes
    • CT DUI vs. NY DWAI
    • Connecticut vs. Out of State DUI
      • Out of State DUI
      • What If I’m a Connecticut Resident?
      • Similarities and Differences
      • Fighting an Out of State DUI
      • Hiring an Out of State Lawyer
      • Out of State License Suspensions
      • DUI in Another Country
    • Boating Under the Influence General Statutes
    • The Criminal Court Process
      • Obtaining Documents
      • Filing Motions
      • Ways to Plead
      • People Involved in a DUI Case
      • How to Conduct Yourself in Court
  • DMV Process
    • DMV Information
    • The DMV Process for Connecticut DUI
    • Court Hearing vs. DMV Hearing
      • Burden of Proof
    • Driver’s License Points
    • Types of Driver’s License Suspensions
      • DMV Suspensions
      • Suspended License Reinstatement
  • DUI Consequences
    • Impact on CDL
    • DUI Penalties
    • Sentencing
      • Alternatives to Jail
      • Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
        • What is It?
        • Should You Apply?
    • DUI Impact
      • Impact on a Taxi Driving Career
      • Impact on a Bus Driving Career
      • Impact on Pilot Career
      • Impact on Doctor Career
      • Impact on Nursing Career
      • Impact on Teaching Career
      • Impact on a Military Career
      • Impact on College Career
    • Vehicle Confiscation
    • Car Insurance Issues
    • Elevated BAC
      • Elevated BAC Penalties
    • Suspending a License
      • Driving with a Suspended License
    • Work and Education Permits
    • What You Can’t Do After a DUI
    • Getting a Pardon
  • Drug DUI
    • Drug DUI vs. Alcohol DUI
    • Marijuana and DUI
    • Prescription Drugs and DUI
    • Drug DUI and Minors
    • Common Drug DUI Defenses
    • Drug DUI Penalties
  • Contact

How to Conduct Yourself in Court if Charged with a Connecticut DUI

Act Polite

Rude behavior is not tolerated in court, so simply be respectful and do not argue. Politeness is also a sign of professionalism, so do not get overtly excited and avoid interruptions. Patience is particularly important as well. You may have to be in the courtroom all morning and then return in the afternoon. You are free to leave the courtroom whenever you need to, but tell an officer of the court that you are leaving. Officers of the court include your attorney, or public defender, the marshal or the court clerk. If your case is called and you have not told someone you were leaving, the judge can issue a warrant for your immediate arrest.

Stay Focused

Cell phones, laptop computers, handheld stereos, CD players and other similar items can not be used in court. Sit and wait patiently while paying attention to how other people interact with the judge. Do not read a newspaper or book while in court, for this is disrespectful. Finally and most importantly, make sure to get enough rest the night before a court date. While it is a quiet place, you should ensure that you never fall asleep in court. If you do, it is likely that you will be escorted out by the marshal and forced to come back on another date, forcing you to lose yet another day of work.

Stay Organized

Before entering the court, you should double check your clothing and appearance as well as review reports, records, and any personal notes. Any other material that could be deemed as evidence should be reviewed to make sure it is intact and organized when bringing it into court. If you have any concerns, including those about testifying or have information that your attorney should know, it should be disclosed prior to entering the courtroom. The case should be reviewed by both you and your attorney and remember to disclose any “skeletons in your closet” to prevent your attorney from being surprised in court.

Reviewing the case prior to entering court will also help to refresh your memory. Be early when arriving to court or at the least, be on time! If you miss your case, you will have to reschedule and will end up missing another day of work, or you may be arrested for failure to appear, another misdemeanor.

Acting the Right Way

The way that you act will help to develop your credibility, either positively or negatively. To prevent from developing negative credibility, avoid being perceived as cocky, argumentative, defensive, immature, or uninterested. Do not carry any items in your pockets that could make noise or that could distract you during court. You will be evaluated by how you act in the courtroom, so avoid negative body language such as folding your arms, crossing your legs or chewing gum. Simply sit silently and do not slouch and when speaking, do so slowly and clearly. Listen when you are being addressed so that questions do not have to be repeated and always address the judge as “your honor.”

Courthouse Hours

Courthouses and clerks’ offices are open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., but are closed for lunch between 1 and 2 p.m. Offices and courthouses are closed only on legal holidays which include the following days:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Lincoln’s Birthday
  • Washington’s Birthday
  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veteran’s Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

How to Dress

In addition, knnowing how to dress for court is very important. Going to court is a formal occasion and the members of the bench and bar take their role seriously. Many of them chose this profession after careful reflection and years of study. There are specific rules concerning behavior, the procedure, and even what can be said. Even though these rules only apply in the courtroom, the manner in which you proceed and follow these rules greatly affects your case. First impressions and the way in which you carry yourself are very important. Instead of wearing whatever you feel like to court, ask yourself who the judge would take most seriously. To gain the respect of the court, you should dress professionally. You should dress as if you were attending a job interview, so that you may provide the best first impression possible.

By establishing a sense of professionalism with your dress, you are also establishing credibility. Men should wear a suit and tie or a sport coat and tie. Women should wear a business suit or a conservative dress. If you do not have this type of clothing, make sure that your clothes are neat and clean. Dress like a professional, avoiding loud colors, costume jewelry, or anything else that is flashy and that will draw attention. Do not wear items that identify your personal association with a group, whether it be a college pin, religious jewelry or political buttons, for these items can inspire prejudice in the minds of the judge or jury. Men should be clean-shaven and should get a hair cut if needed and women should avoid loud hairstyles and keep their makeup to a minimum.

ATTORNEY TERESA DINARDI

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