Preparing for Your Criminal Hearing Windham County Court Date

Playing to Win in Court in Connecticut

If you are appearing to face criminal or motor vehicle charges in Superior Court or Juvenile Court in Connecticut, the outcome of those court proceedings is very important to you. Your freedom and your future may be at stake. If convicted, you may face fines, jail time, revocation or suspension of your right to operate a motor vehicle, and a criminal or motor vehicle record. A criminal record will make it more difficult for you to be admitted to college, get a student loan, rent an apartment, find a job, or enter the military. A serious motor vehicle record may result in the revocation or suspension of your right to operate a motor vehicle and increased motor vehicle insurance rates. Your appearance in court is serious business and you need to appear serious in court if you want to improve your chances for a favorable result.

You Only Have One Chance to Make a Good First Impression.

The prosecutor, judge and jury, if you are at trial, will get their first impressions of you based on how you look; that is, how they see you dress and how they see you behave. A favorable first impression is invaluable. It influences how the prosecutor, the judge, or the jury will like you, whether they will believe you, and whether they will want to help you. You will be much better served if they like you, want to believe you and want to help you from the first time they see you. It will be much harder to get what you want if they don't like you and don't want to help you because you made a bad first impression. So, when you get ready for court in the morning:

• Wash-up and pay attention to your personal hygiene and clothing.

• Wear nice clean, presentable and conservative clothes. For men this means a clean shirt with a collar (preferably light blue in color), clean pants without holes (jeans are OK but Kakis without cargo pockets are better), pants should be worn at the waist, not below the hips, clean shoes (sneakers are OK but dress shoes are better). Men don't need to wear ties, sport jackets or suits. For women this means a conservatively modest dress or blouse and skirt or pants (jeans are OK but slacks are better), clean shoes or sandals. Spending a few dollars to improve your wardrobe for court, even at a thrift store, may prove to be a very worthwhile investment in your future, please consider it seriously.

• No clothing that reveals your midriff or your undergarments.

• No bling showing! You can wear modest jewelry.

• No heavy perfume, cologne or make-up.

• No tattoos showing! If you have tattoos, cover them.

When you are driving to court, parking your car, walking into the courthouse, waiting in the courthouse lobby or courtroom, talking to courthouse staff or anyone else in the courthouse:

• Be polite, respectful and courteous.

• Try not to offend anybody with loud talk or rambunctious behavior.

• Turn off your cell phone and put away your MP3 player or iPod.

• Be careful who you speak to and what you say, as you do not know who may be listening and you can safely assume that no conversation is private. It is important you watch what you say in the restroom, the hallway and in the courtroom itself, as you are under constant scrutiny.

When You Get Into Court

Please be in the courthouse by 9:30 a.m. When you enter the courthouse, look for attorney Jerome Paun, whose photograph appears on the Attorney Profile page or ask a marshal to point him out. When you find Attorney Paun, say hello so he knows you are in the courthouse. When you address the judge in the courtroom, make eye contact, say "Good morning," then let your lawyer do the talking and pay attention to what is happening.

The Law Office of Jerome Paun is ready to defend you against criminal charges and protect your rights. For a free initial consultation about your case, contact us in our Willimantic, Connecticut law office.

Attorney Jerome Paun has more than 25 years of experience defending clients against criminal charges in Windham County, Connecticut. We advise clients throughout the process not to speak to police without an attorney present or to the prosecutor, who wants to get a conviction. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Seasoned advocate Jerome Paun looks out for your best interests, and builds a strong defense.

Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

We like to meet with clients in our Willimantic office to assist in preparing for criminal hearings. It gives us an opportunity to gather the facts, and prepare a solid defense against the State's case. If you attempt self defense, and realize that it is not in your best interest, you can ask the court for a continuance, then schedule a meeting with us to retain the Law Office of Jerome Paun as your counsel. We have helped many clients prepare for criminal hearings, and we can help you too.

For a free criminal defense consultation with a lawyer at our firm, please call us toll-free at 866.787.0119 or send us an e-mail .

Playing to Win in Court in Connecticut

You Only Have One Chance to Make a Good First Impression.

When You Get Into Court

Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation

FREE Case Evaluation