New York Civil Rights And Criminal Defense Lawyers

Does looking good really matter in court?

On Behalf of | Thursday May 9, 2019 | Criminal Defense

If you are facing a trial, one of the things you may have been told is that you need to dress a certain way when you present yourself to the judge. While some people may scoff and believe that there should be no bias against anyone for how they look, the reality is that you want to look as professional as possible, so the judge and jury know you’re taking this case seriously.

Looking good isn’t just about the clothes you wear, either. It also means appearing polite and showing the appropriate emotions at the right times. For instance, if recounting a horrible memory, you wouldn’t want to smile or laugh. Doing so would make you look bad and make others favor the witness’ testimony over what you have to say.

Looking good doesn’t have to mean looking like someone else

No one is trying to say that you should look like a completely different person in court, but it’s generally accepted that you should wear a suit or professional attire when you’re before a judge. You should have clean, maintained hair and cover any tattoos that may be seen as offensive. Your first impression on the judge and jury matters, so looking the part of a professional, law-abiding citizen is part of the job.

Our website has more information on what you can do to look your best at court, which will help your attorney better defend you. Make a great first impression, so you know that you are doing all you can to help yourself and your case.

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