| Copyright (c) 2010 Lucille Uttermohlen | | | | 3. Don't marinate in fragrance. First of all, what |
| When I was a kid, my least favorite people were | | | | may be a sweet floral bouquet to you may be |
| stuffy adults. I went out of my way to tweak | | | | the very stuff of allergies to those sharing the |
| their noses and offend their sense of propriety. | | | | courtroom with you. It is fine to wear a little |
| This was a job I did well because I enjoyed it so | | | | discrete scent. However, if your perfume |
| much. | | | | announces your approach before your body is |
| Not much has changed since I was young. I'd like | | | | even in sight, you may get the sense that people |
| to say that is because not much time has passed | | | | are rushing you off. It's nothing personal. They'd |
| since then, but I never tell a lie even I find | | | | have the same reaction to a skunk, and skunks |
| unbelievable. I still like to give "authority" a run for | | | | are even cute. |
| its money, and it seems to like to return the | | | | 4. If you are being called as a witness, soap and |
| favor by giving me a run for my life. Having | | | | water should be recent indulgences. Tooth |
| established myself as not particularly reverent | | | | brushes are nice, too. No one likes to sit in close |
| towards the government and its protocol, I do | | | | quarters with someone whose personal hygiene is |
| believe that the following tips will help you | | | | questionable. The judge isn't interested in what |
| negotiate the courtroom in your divorce case. | | | | you had for lunch just now, let alone what you |
| 1. Be careful how you dress. You are trying to | | | | ate last night or the week before. We all have |
| make yourself look believable. Would you trust a | | | | bodies, and we know how bad they can smell, so |
| doctor who wore her bikini to the operating | | | | there's no reason to accidentally educate the |
| room? | | | | court on that subject. |
| If you are telling the judge something, she needs | | | | 5. Leave the little ones at home. Getting a |
| to be able to trust your ability to be observant | | | | baby-sitter isn't always easy, but you'll be glad |
| and truthful. If you look like you just stumbled out | | | | you did. A bored screaming child does nothing to |
| of bed with a hangover, the court might be | | | | help the court and parties deal with the business |
| inclined to doubt your honesty. This may seem | | | | at hand. . Besides, you'll be able to fully |
| unfair, , but remember, the judge doesn't have | | | | concentrate on the proceedings if you're not |
| that long to acquaint himself with you, and he has | | | | worried about getting little Jill to the bathroom on |
| to rely on first impressions. If you look like you | | | | time while you're trying to testify. |
| just woke up after a wild night's partying, the | | | | You may think the above tips are obvious. If so, I |
| judge doesn't have any other information to tell | | | | understand, and am glad your mother taught you |
| him that you are actually a fine, upstanding citizen | | | | how to act in public. However, you would be |
| who just takes casual to a new level. | | | | surprised at how many people treat court like the |
| 2. Don't dress for play. Shorts and flip flops belong | | | | most casual, unimportant thing on their to do list. |
| on the beach. Tight skirts and low cut blouses are | | | | The fact is that the judge has their future in his |
| generally considered evening wear. In court, you | | | | absolute control, and needs to understand their |
| are trying to look formal, so that you will be | | | | testimony to make a fair decision. Dressing for |
| believable. You don't have to wear a suit. Tails and | | | | court and leaving your kids at home may not |
| gowns are unnecessary. However, clean slacks | | | | guarantee victory, but they can't hurt, and may |
| and a modest blouse will never offend. | | | | well help. |