A common question people have is, “What should you wear to a criminal court?” Answer: You should wear professional attire to a criminal court. The general goal is to convey how seriously you are taking your charges.
By wearing appropriate clothing, you might demonstrate a more favorable character in the eyes of a judge or jurors. That being said, a court hearing or trial is not a fashion show. Wearing flashy jewelry and seasonal styles could send the wrong message. Instead, opt for classic styles that err on the side of traditional.
In this article, New Mexico criminal defense attorney, Marc A. Grano, shares his criminal court clothing recommendations for men and women, including colors and grooming. It also discusses court dress codes, why appearance matters, and more. Grano Law Offices, P.C. wrote this post for anyone interested in what you should consider wearing to a criminal court in the United States, with a special focus on New Mexico.
Recommendation: What Should You Wear to a Criminal Court?
When preparing for a court appearance, whether it be for a preliminary examination or jury trial, you should consider more than what you will say or how you will behave. You should also consider how to dress for court. Clothing style and color selection may impact how the judge and jury perceive you.
Here are criminal court clothing recommendations for men and women:
Recommendations for Men
The key for men is to present themselves as neatly and professionally as possible. If you own one, dress in your finest business suit. If not, opt for a long-sleeved dress shirt, clean, ironed slacks, and blazers.
Remove earrings, if possible, limit the display of tattoos, and limit yourself to a watch and wedding ring as jewelry. Additionally, you should keep your hair groomed and natural in color and shave or groom your facial hair. A morning shower will help you wake up and prepare mentally and physically for your hearing.
Recommendations for Women
The central concept for women remains the same: maintain a professional and conservative demeanor. That means selecting a professional-looking modest dress, a pantsuit, a long skirt paired with a professional blouse, or slacks and a modest sweater. Appear practical and modest is critical.
Clothing Colors
Apart from these wardrobe essentials, color is something else to consider when deciding what to wear to court. There is evidence that your outfit’s choice of colors and patterns is influential.
Navy blue or dark gray is probably best when attending a hearing or jury trial. These colors convey a sense of seriousness. Avoid bright colors and patterns in a professional setting. The fundamental rule is to choose traditional, uncontroversial, professional colors that appear serious and do not distract.
Grooming
You will want to maintain a clean, neat appearance along with your clothing. This means having a clean-shaven face or a neatly trimmed beard for men.
Men and women should both maintain a neat, conservative appearance with their hair. It should not appear as if you just “rolled out of bed. Make an appointment for a haircut a week or two before your court appearance.
When it comes to nails, they should be appropriately groomed, cleaned, and trimmed. Any nail polish should be conservative or neutral in tone.
What Not to Wear: Criminal Court Edition
It may be easier to focus on what not to wear to court than what to wear. A good rule is avoiding anything that appears casual, unprofessional, or untidy. However, these terms can be vague.
It is a good idea NOT to wear any of the following in criminal court:
- Shorts
- Mini-skirts
- Sundresses
- T-shirts
- Sneakers
- Open-toed shoes
- Revealing clothing
- Sunglasses
- Pageant dresses
- Costumes
- Ripped clothing
- Dirty clothing
- Unkempt hair
- Oversized clothing
- Undersized clothing
When selecting an outfit for the courtroom, avoid wearing anything that you would wear to the beach, a picnic, or while doing yard work. If you hire a New Mexico criminal defense lawyer, they can offer guidance and advice when asking, “What should you wear to a criminal court?”
For New Mexico Cases Only: Do NM Criminal Courts Have Dress Codes?
Yes, New Mexico criminal courts have dress codes. Some assign them at the court level, while some judges impose individual dress codes in their presence. Thus, it is critical to determine whether the court has a dress code.
Generally, courts make this information available on their websites. Even if a court does not specify a dress code or prohibits certain items, you should remember the importance of first impressions, even when falsely accused of a crime
For example, the Fourth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas, New Mexico offers guidance on courtroom etiquette but does not address clothing. In this situation, you should ask your attorney or play it safe by wearing business attire.
While the concept of first impressions may seem archaic in an increasingly accepting society, courtrooms continue to place a premium on appearance and etiquette. This is true for everyone who enters a courtroom, including attorneys, plaintiffs, defendants, and even observers. I would also suggest that dressing for the occasion also plays into showing proper respect and deference to the court.
Why Your Courtroom Appearance Matters?
When judges and juries determine credibility, one of the factors they may consider is appearance. A judge may more carefully consider what you are saying if you appear in court wearing a nice blouse and slacks than if you are wearing a Looney Tunes t-shirt, Hammer pants, and flip-flops.
Show Your Respect in Court
A courtroom is not the place for your favorite t-shirt. When attending court, the general rule is that you should dress traditionally. Following your punctuality, your clothes demonstrate to the judge that you respect the court and its time. However, just because you see others walking around in sweatpants and fuzzy slippers does not mean you should go down that road.
What to Do If Your Loved One Is Arrested Before the Hearing
Dressing for court is not always as simple as opening one’s closet. If you or a loved one is detained before trial, it may take a team to prepare you for the stand. Generally, detained inmates will attend their arraignments and pretrial hearings dressed in jail uniforms.
However, the jury may not see you in jail attire at a jury trial. Your criminal defense attorney will ensure you wear a suit or other appropriate attire during your trial. Your family or friends should make arrangements to bring the outfit to your attorney and ultimately to the place of detention.
Do You Need to Speak With an NM Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If so, the Grano Law Offices, P.C. legal team can help you defend and prepare for your next hearing. Learn more about your legal options during a Free Case Strategy Session with a defense attorney at (505) 426-8711 or via the contact form below.
