How to Dress and Act in Virginia Traffic Court

When you’re in traffic court as often as I am, you see a lot of things. Many people just don’t understand that they’re in court in front of a judge who has considerable power. For that reason alone, you should consider how you dress and behave while in Virginia traffic court.

Virginia is a very traditional, conservative state. Attorneys wear suits in court. We even had to wear suits while taking the grueling bar exam.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt your case if you showed up in a suit (or the equivalent for women). But that’s typically not a necessity.

I generally advise clients to wear nice business attire: at least dress pants and a dress shirt. This simple choice of attire shows the judge that you respect the court. It presents a great first impression and plants a positive seed in the judge’s mind.

You don’t want to ruin that impression by doing other inappropriate things in court. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while in court for your Virginia traffic ticket:

• Don’t chew gum. I’ve seen judges call people out from across the courtroom for smacking on gum while court is in session.
• Turn off your cell phone. Some courts allow cell phones in the courtroom, but be sure it’s off. You don’t want to be ticketed for interrupting someone else’s speeding ticket trial with the William Tell Overture.
• No talking. You would think this is a given, but some people think they can get away with whispering. Don’t risk it.
• Be courteous. Always remember to address the judge as “Your Honor” or “Sir / Man.” And don’t forget to be nice to the deputies and clerks as well. They play key roles in helping Virginia traffic court run smoothly.

Like hiring an experienced traffic attorney, dressing properly and behaving well are pieces of putting on a solid traffic defense.