Comtempt of court for wearing shorts?

[Gravekeeper]

Daisy dukes *and* a babydoll top. But sure, just forgot after 2 warnings and a fine. Also convinced its because the judge has a personal vendetta against her.

Yeah, having trouble finding any sympathy her ;p

[AmbrosiaWriter]

I feel I need to reiterate that this girl was not wearing "jeans and a non-offensive t-shirt." She was wearing hot-pants ( So something like this) and a baby-doll top. So she was hanging it all out and loose.

There is a huge difference between a pair of jeans and a non-offensive T-shirt and what that girl was wearing.

Personally, I'd probably just put on my nicer quality jeans and a button down if I had to go to court. You don't need to be dressed to the nines. Just respectably.

[Nekojin]

Does that mean that I have to leave my Fuck The Police t-shirt at home?

[AmbrosiaWriter]

Does that mean that I have to leave my Fuck The Police t-shirt at home?

That could go one of two ways.

The judge would laugh really hard... or be really pissed off.

Do you want to take the risk? [Y/N]

[Panacea]

Yeah, having trouble finding any sympathy her ;p

I'm not having any trouble . . . I have NO sympathy for her.

[Seifer]

Guilty or not I don't feel like I should be forced to dress up, if jeans and a plain non offencive tshirt are not an option, give me the orange jumpsuit instead.

I would assume that's up to the judge, but if you look at some recent cases, not all defendants dress up for their trials (at least not in a suit). If I remember correctly, Casey Anthony would show up sometimes in a simple long-sleeved shirt/dressy top and khakis.

[Ginger Tea]

That is the bit I was trying to find out, I get the dont go to court in a bikini (mankini) aspect and the OP's hotpants atire.

What I was trying to find out is how they treat non suited atire in general in real courts, TV courts always had suits and I have no desire to be inside a court house for any reason, so I have no guidelines for what is deemed the minimum for appropriate atire.

[Duelist925]

That is the bit I was trying to find out, I get the dont go to court in a bikini (mankini) aspect and the OP's hotpants atire.

What I was trying to find out is how they treat non suited atire in general in real courts, TV courts always had suits and I have no desire to be inside a court house for any reason, so I have no guidelines for what is deemed the minimum for appropriate atire.

From the few times I've been to court, as long as your dressed decently it shouldnt matter a bit.

Nice jeants, button up shirt, should be fine.

of course, this might vary depending on where you are, and the judge in question.

[Jetfire]

Hell, (and I'm fully aware it's TV court), Judge Judy usually wears blue jeans under her robes, often with Sneakers. And on her show she doesn't bat an eye at most attire of the litigants.

But she does get annoyed (and often boots out) the ones she feels are inappropriately dressed; which are usually the ones that are showing too much skin, or in torn clothes. Generally speaking, untorn pants (of any type save sweat pants), and something that covers the shoulders and belly will be acceptable. Any less and you get the Judge Judy Lost and Found box leftovers to cover up in.

[Nekojin]

Hell, (and I'm fully aware it's TV court), Judge Judy usually wears blue jeans under her robes, often with Sneakers. And on her show she doesn't bat an eye at most attire of the litigants.

My mom's a retired attorney, and spent a good deal of time as a Court Referee (like a judge, but hired, not elected). She often wore similar attire to court. Nobody truly cares how the judge is dressed under the robe, but you can bet it won't be hoochie shorts and a bandeau.

All they ask for is a degree of decorum. You don't have to put on the ritz - you just need to NOT look like you belong under a bridge, asking for money (in one way or another).

[protege]

I showed up to court in a suit for a driving violation. I'd never have expected the judge to take me seriously if I shown up like a lazy SOB wearing shorts.

I too showed up in a suit for a court date. I'd been cited for reckless driving and failure to control my vehicle after an accident. Bullshit charges from an asshole cop (who had a well-deserved reputation for trying to intimidate young drivers) who wanted to "send a message" because my dad argued with him. The accident happened not because I was speeding--it was a combination of a slick road, the guy in front of me for suddenly stopping, and the fact that Ford Tempos have shitty brakes. What happened, is that the cop was trying to fuck me over--he ignored witness statements, statements from the other driver--and wrote down what *he* decided occurred. He ignored reality, because he was so bent on busting my balls.

Anyway, I had to go to the local magistrate to fight it. Asshole cop didn't even bother to show up, so the charges were dropped. Even though my family knew the magistrate, I still decided that wearing a suit would be the best option. Think about it, does the "jeans and a T-shirt" package really send a "responsible" or even a "professional" message? I also wanted to show that I took the charges and proceedings seriously as well as showing some degree of respect. Both of those things can earn some major brownie points.

Same with job interviews. When I was applying for an internship at a bank, even though my grandmother knew the guy I was going to be working for, I chose to go the 'professional' route. I got the job, probably because I looked like a 'real' banker. I came into work with a coat and tie, even though I was told that I really didn't have to. I told my boss that I appreciated that I didn't have to...but that's not why I did it.

I did it because one of my grandmother's friends was on the board, and even though I knew him, I was trying to build up a reputation. He knew people--the bank president (who I barely knew, but he always stopped by my office to say hello), other high-rollers in town, and other folks that could (and possibly would) be willing to help me out. In a small town, you never know when you'll need a helping hand.

[Rageaholic]

I feel I need to reiterate that this girl was not wearing "jeans and a non-offensive t-shirt." She was wearing hot-pants ( So something like this) and a baby-doll top. So she was hanging it all out and loose.

So she was basically going to court in her underwear.

The way the article was written, I thought the judge was some uptight prude who considered casual clothing unacceptable for court. What she was wearing may have been *too* casual. I take back defending this idiot woman.