As your court date approaches, you might be wondering what the scenario will really be like. Who will be standing next to you when you have to approach the judge? Can your friends and family members come to support you? Knowing what you can expect to see and who you can invite to the courtroom might help to put your mind at ease. After all, it can be very emotionally taxing to face the courtroom without any type of additional support.

You can learn more about who is welcome in your court hearing below. Take a close look at the list of people who are usually involved in a hearing but be sure to bring any questions you might have to your attorney. The rules for your specific trial might be slightly different, so always run things by your counsel first.

Attorney

You have the right to keep your attorney with you at all times. This should go without saying, but you never have to enter the courtroom without a lawyer by your side. If you cannot afford your own lawyer, the court will appoint one for you. While many people do attempt to represent themselves in court, this is often ill-advised for certain types of trials.

Jury

If you are having a jury trial, it is only natural that they would all be present to weigh in on the final verdict. This can be nerve-wracking to have several sets of eyes watching the entire scene unfold, but you must remember to stay calm and collected. You have to prove to the jury and the judge that you are innocent.

Witnesses

Witnesses are not often found in the courtroom during the entire trial. They are usually sequestered and kept from reading or hearing the testimony of other witnesses. This means that they will be seated elsewhere in the courthouse to prevent tampering with their testimony. If any of your friends or family members are serving in this role, they won’t be able to watch the rest of the hearing.

Friends and Family Members

Friends and family members are welcome to join you for the court hearing because adult trials are open to the public. Think very carefully about whether you want to invite them to your trial or not. Never invite someone who cannot dress or act respectfully during the time they will spend in the courtroom. This can reflect negatively on you. Remind them of the importance of this day and give them a few suggestions for how to dress and carry themselves. If you have any doubts about their ability to do this, refrain from inviting them.

When you’re preparing for your court hearing, you should know who can attend. We can help to answer any questions you have by matching you with Attorneys on Demand’s attorney appearance services. We’ll help you to find an experienced lawyer with local experience to guide you through a more successful court date.