Family Law

Whether you have a Rhode Island Family Lawyer or not, here are just a few tips to heed that may help you at court.  Even though some are common sense, I see people who disregard these tips all the time and then they wonder why their case didn't go their way.  Sometimes even the littlest things can make a difference in your case.

1.  When you're going to a court of law it's best to leave children at home.   In short, children are a distraction to you and for others.  Courts were not meant for children unless they are part of a juvenile proceeding and they have had difficulties in the court system early.

2.  Dress appropriately.  Courts have traditionally been a place where respect is to be shown.  Wearing clothes such as shorts, tank tops, open toed shoes, jeans with holes in them and baseball caps or other headgear are often viewed by the judges, sheriffs and court personnel as offensive and disrespectful.  So, even though you may think it's cool to "bust-a-sag" in other places, it's best not to do so when going
to court.

3.  Listen carefully and speak respectfully.  If you have a matter before the court you can easily miss the clerk or judge calling your name and the next thing you know there is a bench warrant out for your arrest because the court didn't know you were in the courtroom.   By listening carefully you will hear your case called and be present to respond when the court is ready to hear your matter.  When it is time for you to speak, it is good to refer to the judge as "Your Honor" and speak slowly and clearly to state your position or the relief you are looking for from the court.  It goes without saying that it is best not to raise your voice to the judge even if you think the judge is wrong.   If the judge has misunderstood something that you have said, you should ask the judge for permission to clarify the misunderstanding.

4.  Using celphones, ipods, video games or other electronic devices in the gallery (the area where people sit in the courtroom) is prohibited regardless of whether the sound is turned on or not.  You can bring them with you, but turn them off before you go in the courtroom door.

5.  Lastly, Be Prepared.  The court has a calendar to go through and each time someone isn't ready or doesn't know what they are doing, they waste the courts time, cause matters to be delayed and cause rescheduling issues.  It is best to do your homework or sit in court and watch other proceedings to become familiar with what you need to do.  Family Court follows a set procedure in the way it does things and presenting your case requires you to comply with the court rules and the rules of evidence.  Some judges will let people slide on the formalities of presentation and others will not.  It's best to be prepared because judges don't like people to waste the court's time.

Authored by:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
PEARSALL LAW ASSOCIATES
571 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI  02910
Phone:  (401) 354-2369

NOTE:  The postings on this website are NOT legal advice, DO NOT create an attorney/client relationship and are NOT a substitute for a detailed consultation with an attorney experienced in the state where you have your legal issue.  This site is presented for the convenience of the internet public.

* The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law and has no procedure for recognition of specialty in any area of law.