FireTower@lemmy.world 2 months ago
We have no clue where you are so we can’t give any good advice. For all we know you live in Elbonia and driving without a license gets you the guillotine.
But
Show up ~30 minutes early, there will likely be metal detectors and a line at them. If you are in line be ready when you get up front, if you need to empty your pockets do that before you are at the detector. This makes it faster for everyone.
Showing up early will also give you time to find your courtroom in the building. It also will let you watch the court for a few minutes before your time to shine.
Turn your phone off. Court house rules might require you leave it outside.
Dress appropriately, a polo should be fine. Any collared shirt tucked in with pants and closed toed shoes will show you put some effort into dressing yourself. No hats unless you’ve got to for your religion.
It’s the judge’s courtroom don’t interrupt them. Don’t lie. And being on your best behavior starts the moment you step onto the lot not when you enter the room, be polite to court staff as well.
Read the ticket front and back for specific instructions. Check the court website to see if there’s any announcements that you should be aware of (like local rules).
Don’t listen to other people’s advice on how you should plead. We don’t know the facts of your case. Most people here aren’t lawyers. Nothing here is legal advice.
Best behavior is subjective. Talking less is usually smart, but some people mistakenly believe it’s good behavior.
(Which is to say, the above comment has good advice, but it’s not universally reliable. Use your own judgment or pay a lawyer if your judgment sucks.)
EddoWagt@feddit.nl 2 months ago
Rule no.1 on the internet: If they don’t tell you their country of origin, its the US
FireTower@lemmy.world 2 months ago
“the US” doesn’t narrow it down much. I kinda assumed that much. What really matters if which one of the 50+ legal systems in the US he is subject to. And which courthouse he is going to.
This is going to 100% be a state law matter, unless he lives somewhere like D.C. or Puerto Rico which aren’t states but fall under federal jurisdiction.
Aeao@lemmy.world 2 months ago
It’s Florida. Titusville.
And the courthouse was closed when I went there today because of the hurricane. Guess they don’t have power yet.
The clerks office is closed too, and the website hasn’t been updated and still says my court date is today.
I even tried calling the non-emergancy police number and they don’t know. They told me to call the clerk on Monday. Which will be fine unless my court date is rescheduled for Monday at 9am when they open.
deo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 months ago
Did you try calling the clerk’s office? They might have an automated message with info about closures due to the hurricane. And generally if they open to the public at 9, the clerks and other staff will be there earlier, so you can try calling at like 8 or something. When I had jury duty, we were told to show up a full two hours before the court actually “opened” so they could do orientation stuff with us.
kometes@lemmy.world 2 months ago
Monday is a holiday in Florida. It’s likely the court will be closed
Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 months ago
Less true on Lemmy, but still a fair assumption.