How to Dress for a Juvenile Court Appearance
When dressing for an appearance in juvenile court, always wear appropriate clothing that is conservative in nature. Dressing in proper attire for court demonstrates that you are consciously making the effort to appear respectful when going in front of the judge. Making this attempt can work in your favor, as the judge may consider your display of respect and give you a lighter sentence than she might if a juvenile offender walked in off the street wearing inappropriate and torn clothing.
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Things You'll Need
- Males:
- Clean, pressed button-up shirt
- Tie
- Dress pants
- Belt
- Dress shoes
- Females:
- Nice blouse or shirt
- Dress pants or skirt
- Nice pair of flats or heels (under 3 inches)
- Makeup
- Small pair of earrings
Instructions
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Wear a nice top or blouse or a button-up shirt. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and cover any visible tattoos you have on your arms. Check the shirt when you put it on to make sure there are no visible stains or wrinkles. If you are male, tuck your button-up shirt into your pants.
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Select a nice pair of navy blue, brown or black pants or skirt to go with your shirt or blouse. Opt for dress pants if you have visible tattoos on your legs. Otherwise, check that the skirt falls at the length of the knee when you are sitting down.
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Select a nice pair of dress shoes to wear. Choose black, brown or navy blue shoes that coordinate well with your outfit. Shine your shoes before going to court. Wear closed-toe shoes for a more conservative look.
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Put on your accessories once you have finished dressing. Put on your tie and belt (for men). Lightly apply makeup and put in a small set of earrings if you so choose (for women). Check your appearance in the mirror and make adjustments accordingly before going to your court appearance.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear clothing that covers your body.-- no short skirts or sagging pants, and no tank tops, spaghetti straps or other clothing that is revealing.
Ensure that all of your clothing fits properly before attending court. Make adjustments to your garments if necessary.
Make sure that everything you wear to court is clean and neatly pressed.
Avoid wearing clothing that shows off your cleavage or navel area.
Cover up any visible tattoos you might have, regardless of your gender.
Remove all visible piercings before going to court.
Dye your hair to a natural color, if possible, before attending court.
Wear shoes that have a maximum heel height of three inches. Closed-toe shoes are preferred.
Wear a light amount of makeup to court if you must wear any at all.
Do not wear any items that have profanity or other offensive words or slogans on them.
Avoid clothing items that may be seen as a weapon (such as spikes or chains).
Absolutely no clothing or other item that is gang-related is permitted in a juvenile court room.
