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Court Preparation

Preparing Your Appearance for Court

Let Our Windham County Criminal Defense Attorney Help You Set Up for Success

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.

At The Law Office of Jerome Paun, our Windham County criminal defense lawyer has over four decades of experience. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.

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.
  • Hair should be clean and groomed. Men certainly may wear long hair but it should be neatly groomed; pulled back into a ponytail isn't a bad idea.
  • Facial hair is also acceptable but again should be neatly groomed. Some styles may be asking for trouble. If your mustache and/or beard makes you look sinister or bad, it is likely the judge will see you that way. This is generally not a good thing if you want a good outcome in your case, especially if you are charged with a crime of physical or domestic violence.
  • Wear nice clean, presentable and conservative clothes. For men this means: A clean shirt with a collar, preferably light blue or white (not black - you're not going out clubbing for the evening), clean pants without holes (jeans are OK but kakis without cargo pockets are better), pants should be worn at the waist, not at or below the hips, clean shoes (sneakers are OK but dress shoes are better). Men don't need to wear ties, sport jackets or suits but may if they so choose. For women this means: A conservatively modest dress or blouse and skirt or pants (jeans are OK but slacks are better), clean shoes (sneakers are OK but dress shoes are better) or nice sandals. For men and women, 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 (nobody wants to see your fancy underwear in court, especially not the judge).
  • No bling showing! You may 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 electronic devices.
  • 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.

This is especially true if you are in court to pick a jury or for trial. You don't want to do anything that might offend a juror or potential juror who might be on your jury and take it out on you in the verdict.

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.

Since 1980, Attorney Jerome Paun has been defending clients 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 Windham County criminal defense lawyer at our firm, please call us toll-free at (860) 455-4202.

OUR FIRM IS DIFFERENT

Read What Sets Us Apart
  • Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney: Recognized Excellence Since 2014
    The National Trial Lawyers and American Society of Legal Advocates have recognized Attorney Jerome Paun as a Top 100 criminal defense attorney since 2014.
  • Your First Step to Justice: Free Initial Consultation for New Clients!
    All of our new clients are entitled to a free initial consultation. Call or email now!
  • Decades of Expertise: Navigating Legal Challenges for Over 40 Years
    Attorney Paun has over 40 years of experience helping people in trouble.
  • Comprehensive Defense: Protecting Your Rights Against Serious Charges in Connecticut Courts
    We defend adults and juveniles against all serious felonies, misdemeanors, and OUI's in Connecticut courts.

Hear From Our Happy Clients

At The Law Office of Jerome Paun, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    "Excellent Lawyer says it all!"
    Covers all clients needs!
    - Past Client
    "I felt very comfortable relying on his expertise."
    Attorney Paun was so helpful, thorough, knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive to all my many, MANY questions about the whole process.
    - Rebecca
    "Best in CT!"
    Attorney Paun was meticulous and detail-oriented in bringing a complex case to a mutually acceptable outcome.
    - Val
    "The best"
    He worked diligently, kept me informed without sugar-coating the process, and proved to be an invaluable ally. I can only imagine what would have happened if I didn't find him.
    - Bob

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