Why Do People Dress Up To Go To Court?

Question

some defendants wear suits to court, do you think this will affect
their outcome? do you automatically think they are hiding something? does the suit mean,therefore,"I'm Innocent"?

Answer 1

I doesn't indicate guilt or innocence, but it does give a better impression. I mean, if you were looking at a man with tattoo sleeves, a wife beater t-shirt, and skin head boots, and a man with a suit on (which covers up the wife beater and tattoos) who would you automatically think has a better chance of being guilty?

You may be wrong, but it has a subconscious effect of playing on the fact they we tend to be biased (whether or not we want to admit it.)

Also, it is a respect thing for the judge and the court. Many judges find it offensive that you wouldn't dress up for court. Offending the person that will be sentencing you probably isn't a good idea.

Answer 2

Its a matter of respect for the court, not a means of getting off Scott free.

An example would be, a woman I knew went to court dressed in ragged work pants and a wrinkled shirt. The Judge asked her is that all the clothes she had - when she explained she didn't want to get dressed up - the Judge let her know point blank that he does not allow his court to be disrespected. If it had been the best of what she had to wear as in being poor, he would have overlooked it.

He did not fine her or anything - but dressing accordingly would have saved her from being chewed out in full view of others.

Lawyers are always quick to point out to clients - WEAR A SUIT or the best clothes you have. It don't buy you out of trouble, but then it almost guarantees you wont have any negative first impressions.

Answer 3

First, image is everything. If you show up in court with ratty pants and a t-shrti that saysd "Eat the Rich", the judge will assume that you rally don't give a fig as to your fate.

The suit suggests that you take these proceeding with the same gravity as everyone else.

Second, it allows you to reach out to the jury tha tyou are not some kind of monster.

One can cite the anitcs in the Chicago Seven Trial, where it dissolved into Street Theater and the judge clamped down hard.

The suit indicates not necessarily innocence, a level of sobriety (Remember Michael Jackson coming to trial in his jammies? He was laughed at as being some kind of weirdo)

Answer 4

Courts have dress codes people dress up for court to show there respect no having a nice suit on is not going to get them off easier.

Answer 5

You dress up because not doing so shows contempt for the solemn rights and powers that are held by the legal system. There have been cases where a party (either accused or defendant) has been shown in contempt of the court simply by appearence and then thrown out.

Answer 6

It shows respect to the court room and to the judge. If you go in looking like a gang banger thug, you clearly don't care about yourself and how you present yourself, and in the case of a jury trial, how you present yourself infront of the jury may affect your verdict. If you go in neatly dressed, whether it be a nice pair of slacks and a polo shirt, or a suit, you present yourself as though you care about yourself and what happens to you. A judge usually isn't going to base what you wear against you, but judges here are known for telling defendants to go across the street and come back dressed appropriately for court.

Answer 7

to show respect for the courts. The courts are part of our judicial system, which is one of the 3 parts of our government, Executive, Legislative, Judicial.
Respecting the Judge is like respecting your parents. If you have done something wrong at home, you don't expect to get off by being rude, do you? Its the same way in court. If you are dressed nice, and act nice, the judge or jury will have more respect for you because you are being respectful to them.

Answer 8

Judges all have dress codes for their courtrooms.

Most of the time, it's simple rules like
no tank tops, no shorts, and no open toed shoes.

Some might require a suit.

Many wear suits to get respect and to
be thought of as upright, productive citizens--
like in DUI cases.

Those involved in drug dealing cases will
actually dress down, opting for something
less flashy, less expensive looking.

Answer 9

everyones right....and I don't have an answer that isn't summed up by everyone.....dress to impress...I thought I could catch a date with the judge....every thinks hey he's wearing a suit so those 30 people ran over in your volvo should be happy...he's trying to impress us and wow the court....people look nice but the still did something wrong

Answer 10

Most judges won't allow you into the court room, or will remove you if you are dressed inappropriately. It doesn't have anything to do with presumed innocence or guilt. It's more of a respect thing.