Prohibited Items

Food, drink and all weapons are strictly prohibited from the courtroom. Do not attempt to bring prohibited items into Town Hall.

Court Appearance Attire

Municipal Court is a place of business, and visitors should wear clean and fitted clothes. A shirt and shoes are required. Please take your hat off before entering the courtroom. Unacceptable attire includes:

• Muscle shirts, T-shirts, clothing indicating gang affiliation, or other clothing with offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, obscene, or suggestive words, slogans, depictions, or pictures
• Pajamas
• Provocative clothing designed, styled, or worn to provoke emotion, disrupt, or distract, such as low-cut tops, short skirts, or dresses
• Shirts that are torn, dirty, ragged, too tight, or too short
• Shorts, cut-offs, baggy pants, flip-flop style shoes, or hats

Respect for the Court

• Please observe the following guidelines when you are in the courtroom:
• Address the judge as "Your Honor"
• Answer the question you were asked and stop
• Arrive early and be prepared
• Be patient
• Do not approach the judge's bench without permission
• Do not argue, especially with the judge
• Do not enter or depart the courtroom excessively and do not slam doors
• Do not interrupt
• Gum chewing, tobacco or newspapers are not allowed in the courtroom
• If you bring a child, please have someone who can take them out if he(she) becomes loud or disruptive
• Speak only when instructed or given permission
• Turn off all electronic devices before entering the courtroom
• Use formal English, not slang
• When you answer questions, be brief and to the point
• When your case is called, go to the podium

Security

Everyone who enters the Municipal Courtroom must pass through a metal detector and may be subject to search. Purses, briefcases, and bags are not permitted in the courtroom. Weapons, which include everything from pocket knives to personal protection devices, are strictly prohibited in the Municipal Courtroom.