(a) Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct Apply. Attorneys practicing in this Court
are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Oklahoma Rules of
Professional Conduct, as adopted by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, as the standard of
conduct of all members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. See, Title 5 O.S.A. Ch. l,
App. 3A. As set forth in the preamble:
A lawyer's conduct should conform to the requirements of the law,
both in professional service to clients and in the lawyer’s business and
personal affairs. A lawyer should use the law's procedures only for
legitimate purposes and not to harass or intimidate others. A lawyer
should demonstrate respect for the legal system and for those who serve it,
including judges, other lawyers and public officials. While it is a lawyer's
duty, when necessary, to challenge the rectitude of official action, it is
also a lawyer's duty to uphold legal process.
In this spirit, all lawyers should become familiar with their duties and obligations, as
defined and classified generally in the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct, any
interpretive decisions, applicable statutes, and the usages, customs, and practices of the
bar.
(b) Courtroom Behavior. The purpose of this rule is to emphasize, not to supplant, certain
portions of those ethical principles applicable to the lawyer's conduct in the courtroom.
In addition to all other requirements, therefore, lawyers appearing in this Court shall
adhere to the following:
1) Be punctual in attendance at Court.
2) Refrain from addressing anyone in Court by first names -- use last names only.
3) Refrain from leaving the courtroom while court is in session, unless it is
absolutely necessary, and then only if the Court's permission has been obtained
first.
4) At all times, counsel for plaintiff shall occupy the table nearest the jury box and
counsel for defendant shall occupy the table furthermost from the jury box.
5) Ascertain that only one lawyer is standing at a time, unless an objection is being
made.
6) Bench conferences will be kept to a minimum. Counsel should anticipate issues
which will arise during the trial and inform the Court and opposing counsel at the
earliest opportunity. Permission must be obtained from the Court to approach the
bench, a witness, an exhibit, or the clerk.
7) Refrain from employing dilatory tactics.
8) Hand all papers intended for the Court to see to the clerk who, in turn, will pass
them up to the judge.
9) Hand to the clerk any exhibits offered into evidence.
10) Advise clients, witnesses, and others concerning rules of decorum to be observed
in court.
11) Use the lectern when interrogating witnesses or addressing the jury, unless
otherwise permitted by the Court. Appropriate exceptions to this rule shall be
made for disability or infirmity.
12) Never conduct or engage in experiments or demonstrations unless prior
permission is granted by the Court.
13) Refrain from conducting a trial when they know, prior thereto, that they will be
necessary witnesses, other than as to merely formal matters such as identification
or custody of a document or the like. If, during the trial, it is discovered that the
ends of justice require the lawyers' testimony, they should from that point on, if
feasible and not prejudicial to their client's case, leave further conduct of the trial
to other counsel. If circumstances do not permit withdrawal from the conduct of
the trial, lawyers should not argue the credibility of their own testimony.
14) Avoid disparaging personal remarks or acrimony toward opposing counsel
and remain wholly uninfluenced by all ill feeling between the respective clients.
Attorneys should abstain from any allusion to personal peculiarities and
idiosyncrasies of opposing counsel.
15) Rise when addressing or being addressed by the Court. Appropriate exception
will be made for disability or medical infirmity.
16) Refrain from assuming an undignified posture. Counsel should always be attired
in a proper and dignified manner and should abstain from any apparel or
ornament calculated to attract attention to themselves.
17) At all times exemplify conduct consistent with their obligation as an officer of the
Court.
18) In making representations to the Court, know or honestly believe them to
be supported by fact.
19) Comply, along with all other persons in the courtroom, with the following:
(A) No tobacco in any form will be permitted at any time.
(B) No propping of feet on tables or chairs will be permitted at any time.
(C) No water bottles or other beverage containers, bottles or cups, or edibles
shall be brought into the courtroom, except with permission of the
marshal or courtroom deputy clerk.
(D) No gum chewing or reading of newspapers or magazines (except as a part
of the evidence in a case) will be permitted while Court is in session.
(E) No talking or other unnecessary noises will be permitted while Court is in
session.
(F) Everyone must rise when instructed to do so upon opening, closing, or
declaring recesses of Court. Appropriate exception shall be made for
disability or medical infirmity.
(G) Any attorney who appears in court intoxicated or under the influence of
intoxicants, drugs, or narcotics may be summarily held in contempt.
