Courtroom Decorum and Safety

COURTROOM DECORUM AND SAFETY

1. No person shall be permitted in the working area of Court staff, Court security officers or probation officers unless so authorized by the Administrative Judge, except those city employees whose duties require their presence therein. Furthermore, no persons shall be allowed into judge’s chambers unless they have first been authorized to be admitted by a judge or by personnel in judge’s chambers. Judge’s chambers include all offices of the Court facility.

2. No weapons are permitted in Court except as carried or possessed by law enforcement, Animal Control and Code Compliance officers, Court security staff, or as needed for evidence in Court, without the permission of the Court. The Court may require that any firearm intended for introduction as an exhibit be presented to security staff for a safety check prior to its being brought into the Courthouse. However, none of the above-referenced authorized persons are permitted to bring a weapon to Court for any case in which he/she is the accused.

3. All persons who wish to do business in Municipal Court will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with and appropriate to the operation of a court of law. All persons in or near any Courtroom or any of the office areas of the Court staff, probation staff or Court security personnel will conduct their conversations and other activities in such a manner as not to disrupt the business and operation of the Municipal Court, the Judges, the Municipal Court staff and personnel. Any misconduct may be punishable by contempt of Court or other appropriate sanctions by the Court.

4. Persons bringing children to the Municipal Court offices will keep such children within adult supervision and reasonably quiet so as not to disrupt the business and operations of the Court, the Judges, the Municipal Court staff and Court personnel. by contempt of Court or other appropriate sanctions by the Court.

5. While Court is in session an assigned Conway Springs Police officer shall protect the Judge and Court staff from non-court personnel who may attempt to approach the bench, , witness stand, or attorney tables except as otherwise directed or permitted by the Judge, the Clerk, or by the attorney

6. All personal or portable telephones, audible pagers and other electronic devises brought shall be turned off, except for those expecting an emergency. Any audible electronic equipment creating noise in the Courtroom, which is not authorized by the Court, is subject to confiscation, and the person who possessed such item may be subject to contempt of court or other appropriate sanctions by the Court.

7. All persons attending Court are expected to be dressed appropriately for the dignity and decorum of a court proceeding. All persons attending Court should wear, at a minimum, a shirt (or blouse, sweater, etc.), pants or skirt, and shoes. Short Shorts, tank tops and swimwear are not appropriate attire for Court proceedings. Hats and head wear shall be removed in the Courtroom. Persons dressed inappropriately may be required to exit the Courtroom and may be subject to contempt citations.

The conduct and demeanor of attorneys when present during any Court proceeding shall reflect respect for the dignity and authority of the Court. The proceedings conducted in Court shall be maintained by the Court as an objective search for the applicable facts and the correct principles of law. Attorneys should be dressed appropriately for the decorum of a courtroom proceeding. No shorts or jeans are permitted. Attorneys shall be seated in the Courtroom gallery until their case is called.

8. Food and drink will not be brought into the Courtroom except upon the express permission of the Judge. Spectators will not be permitted to engage in any activity which interferes with Court proceedings.

9. Attorneys and pro se litigants shall rise when addressing the Court, and shall make all statements to the Court from the counsel table or the lectern facing the Court. They shall not approach the bench, except with the permission of the Judge. Unless the Judge specifically prescribes otherwise, an attorney must stand when questioning a witness and should refrain from moving about except as may be necessary for the presentation of exhibits or other assistance to the Court.

10. While questioning witnesses, attorneys or pro se litigants shall stand at the counsel table or at the lectern. They shall not approach the witness unless permitted by the Judge. Only one attorney for each party may participate in the examination or cross examination of a witness.

11. Pro se defendants should be prepared to present their cases in a proper manner. It is not the Court’s duty or responsibility to represent or instruct the pro se defendant on court procedure, evidence, rules, or how to defend a case.