NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURTROOM DECORUM POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to state certain basic principles concerning courtroom behavior and decorum. When
appearing in this Court, unless excused by the presiding Judge, all counsel (including all persons at counsel table)
shall abide by the following:
1.
Stand when Court is opened, recessed or adjourned. Stand when addressing, or being addressed by the
Court. Stand when the jury enters or retires from the courtroom. W hen making opening statements, closing
arguments or examining witnesses, do not approach either the jury or the witness without the Court’s
permission. Remain at the lectern unless using exhibits or charts.
2.
Address all rem arks to the Court, not to opposing counsel or the opposing party.
3.
Avoid disparaging personal remarks or acrimony toward opposing counsel and remain wholly detached from
any ill feeling between the litigants or witnesses.
4.
Refer to all persons, including witnesses, other counsel and the parties by their surnames and not by their first
or given names unless the permission of the Court is sought in advance.
5.
Only one attorney for each party shall examine, or cross examine each witness. The attorney stating
objections, if any, during direct examination, shall be the attorney recognized for cross examination.
6.
Counsel should request permission before approaching the bench. Any documents counsel wishes to have
the Court exam ine should be handed to the clerk. Any paper or exhibit not previously marked for identification
should first be handed to the clerk to be m arked before it is tendered to a witness for his examination; and any
exhibit offered in evidence should, at the tim e of such offer, be handed to opposing counsel.
7.
No exhibit, whether marked for identif ication or not, shall be held in any manner, or placed in any position in
the courtroom, that would allow the jury to see the exhibit unless it has been admitted into evidence and
perm ission to publish the exhibit to the jury has been obtained fro