If you have children, find a babysitter.

Plan to stay at least three hours. If I represent you, please only leave after I tell you to do so. The courtroom will be crowded and it may be awhile before I am able to speak with you and the judge listens to your case.

Dress appropriately. If you dress inappropriately, the judge or bailiffs may demand that you leave the courtroom.

Make sure that you know the courtroom in which your case will be heard before court starts. If you have forgotten, just call our office and we will be happy to remind you of the location.

Bring all of the documents and other materials pertaining to you case to court.

If you have any witnesses who are assisting with your case, have them in court or, if otherwise directed, have them available on telephone standby. Make sure that they also dress appropriately.

Bring a pencil and paper to court with you. You may need to take notes about your case or write down court dates.

If you are unrepresented and need additional time to discuss your case with your attorney, or to bring enough money for costs and fines, or to bring witnesses to the court on your behalf, you may ask for a continuance. (In other words, you may ask the court to delay your court date to another day). However, the court usually allows a continuance only if there are very special circumstances. If unrepresented, you should, therefore, be prepared to handle your case on your first court date.