People who appear in court must observe these and other conventions of courteous, orderly
behavior.
A. Be punctual.
B. Remain in attendance until excused. All persons sitting before the bar shall remain
there during each session and return after recess. Parties and counsel must remain
in attendance during jury deliberations; absence waives the right to attend the return
of the verdict.
C. Dress with dignity.
D. Address others only by their titles and surnames, including lawyers, witnesses, and
court personnel.
E. Stand when the Court speaks to you; stand when you speak to the Court. Speak
only to the Court, except for questioning witnesses and, in opening and closing,
addressing the jury.
F. Avoid approaching the bench. Counsel should anticipate the necessity for rulings
and discuss them when the jury is not seated. When a bench conference is
unavoidable, get permission first.
G. Hand to the clerk, not the judge or reporter, all things for examination by the judge.
H. Stand when the judge or jury enters or leaves the courtroom.
I. Contact with the law clerks is ex parte contact with the Court. Contact must be
through the case manager.
J. Assist the summoning of witnesses from outside the courtroom. Furnish the clerk
and marshal with a list of witnesses showing the order they are likely to be called.
K. Question witnesses while seated at counsel table or standing at the lectern. When
it is necessary to question a witness about an exhibit, ask permission to approach
the witness.
L. Conduct no experiment or demonstration without permission.
M. Do not participate in a trial as an attorney if you expect you may be called as a
material witness.
N. Avoid disparaging remarks and acrimony toward counsel and discourage ill will
between the litigants. Counsel must abstain from unnecessary references to
opposing counsel, especially peculiarities.
O. Make no side-bar remarks.
P. Counsel are responsible for advising their clients, witnesses, and associate counsel
about proper courtroom behavior.
Q. Request the use of easels, light boxes, and other equipment well in advance so that
they may be set up while the Court is not in session.
