Court Policies

  • Be at Municipal Court 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time
  • Cell phone must be turned off
  • Do not talk in the courtroom
  • Hats must be removed
  • No food or drink
  • No gum chewing
  • No weapons of any kind
  • Please leave briefcases, purses, backpacks, etc. in vehicle
  • Proper attire should be worn; no shorts or tank tops

                                                                                   

                      Please be courteous and patient to court staff and respect the limits on what they can and cannot do.

Court Staff CAN                                                                                                    Court Staff CANNOT

Give you court-approved forms, some forms might not be available for all legal issues.

Recommend a specific attorney.

Answer questions about what is being requested on a form.

Tell you what to say in court.

Tell you what certain legal words mean.

Give you an opinion about what will happen with your case or what the judge might do.

Give you information on a court case unless it is restricted by court order or applicable law.

Give you advice about whether you should take any particular action in a case.

Give you general information on court rules, procedures, and practices.

Talk to the judge for you or let you talk to the judge.

Give you court calendars and information on how to schedule a hearing.

Create documents or fill in forms for you.

Give you information about how to act in the courtroom.

Give any legal advice.

 

Court staff do not know the answers to all questions about court rules, procedures, and practices. They have been instructed not to answer questions if they do not know the answer and not to advise you what to file or how to proceed in a case and cannot provide any form of legal advice. 

Remember, the court must remain impartial. They do not take sides in any manner coming before the court. The information provided by court staff is not a substitute for legal advice. It is recommended that you consult with an attorney before representing yourself. If you choose to represent yourself in court, you will be held to the same standards as a lawyer and will be expected to know the law and legal procedures.

Se Habla Español