how to get on the judges good side as a lawyer

by Janiya Schowalter 9 min read

They Appeal to Emotions – Appealing to a person’s emotions is the quickest way to get them on your side. Lawyers often use this to their advantage. They pull at the heartstrings of judges and jurors, pique their interest and get them emotionally invested in the case.

Present Your Case: How to Get the Judge to Rule in Your Favor
  1. Pay Attention to Other Trials. If you want a positive ruling from the judge, then it can help immensely to pay attention to different trials that are going on. ...
  2. Hold Other People in High Esteem. ...
  3. Express Yourself in a Clear Way. ...
  4. Take Your Time Answering Questions.
Jan 2, 2019

Full Answer

How do lawyers get you on their side in court?

Jan 20, 2014 · They Appeal to Emotions – Appealing to a person’s emotions is the quickest way to get them on your side. Lawyers often use this to their advantage. They pull at the …

Can a lawyer ask to try a case in front of Judge?

Mar 08, 2011 · Dress modestly to show the judge that though you respect the court enough to get dressed up, you don’t care more about how you look than the case at hand. 3. Stay On Point, …

What to do when a judge is about to rule in favor?

Jan 02, 2019 · Take a calm, rational and patient approach to dealing with any questions that come your way. Presenting a case well isn’t any kind of race. Speak in a slow and nuanced manner. …

How do lawyers convince judges and jurors?

If you insist on giving the judge something besides a compliment, stick to bar nuts, which are generally free to patrons. Just hope the judge doesn’t begin to chew them carelessly, spraying …

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How do you get on the good side of the judge?

Tips for Success in the Courtroom
  1. Meet Your Deadlines. ...
  2. Choose a Judge or Jury Trial. ...
  3. Learn the Elements of Your Case. ...
  4. Make Sure Your Evidence Is Admissible. ...
  5. Prepare a Trial Notebook.
  6. Learn the Ropes.
  7. Watch Some Trials. ...
  8. Be Respectful.

How do you get judges to like you?

How To Make Judges Like You, Or At Least Not Hate You
  1. Don't Look Like a Slob. ...
  2. Don't Look Too Fancy or Flashy. ...
  3. Stay On Point, Answer Exactly What the Judge Asks, and Speak Clearly. ...
  4. Be Prepared with Your Documentation and Don't Make Excuses For Your Screw Ups. ...
  5. If You're Winning, Shut Up.
Mar 8, 2011

What to do to impress a judge?

Courtroom Behavior

Behave in a calm, professional manner -- don't let your emotions get the best of you. When the judge speaks to you, look her in the eye and reply in a respectful tone. Stand up when addressing the court. Get to the point quickly when presenting your facts.

What should you not say to a judge?

8 Things You Should Never Say to a Judge While in Court
  • Anything that sounds memorized. Speak in your own words. ...
  • Anything angry. Keep your calm no matter what. ...
  • 'They didn't tell me … ' ...
  • Any expletives. ...
  • Any of these specific words. ...
  • Anything that's an exaggeration. ...
  • Anything you can't amend. ...
  • Any volunteered information.
Apr 15, 2018

What color is best for court?

The best color to wear to court is probably navy blue or dark gray. These colors suggest seriousness. At the same time, they do not come with the negative connotations that are often associated with the color black (for instance, some people associate black with evil, coldness, and darkness).

Is it OK to wear jeans to court?

To maintain the dignity of the Court, the Court requests that the following list of minimum standards regarding appropriate dress be met before entering the courtroom. 1) Men should wear a shirt with a collar and long pants. (Jeans are acceptable). 2) Women should wear a dress, or a blouse and skirt or long pants.

What are good things to say in court?

Give positive, definite answers when at all possible. Avoid saying, “I think”, “I believe”, or “In my opinion” if you can answer positively. If you do know, then say so. You can be positive about important things which you would naturally remember.Apr 22, 2015

How do you win a court case?

How to Win Your Court Case by Following 5 Simple Principles
  1. Use a Lawyer or Settle If You Can't Afford One, as Even Brilliant DIY Will Almost Never Beat a Lawyer. ...
  2. Focus on the Relevant Probative Evidence, Not Collateral Facts. ...
  3. Evidence is More Important Than Law. ...
  4. Understand the Real Legal Issue in Your Case.
•
Oct 7, 2021

How do I talk to a judge without a lawyer?

Write a letter to a judge as long as you are not in a current case. To start the letter, indicate what the letter is regarding, and identify yourself and your profession. Then, tell the judge what you want and provide reasons why they should grant your request. Don't forget to address the envelope before you send it.

Can a judge insult you?

The state supreme court rejected this First Amendment defense in its Aug. 5 opinion in In the Matter of Eiler, writing that “judges do not have a right to use rude, demeaning, and condescending speech toward litigants.”Aug 10, 2010

Can a judge refuse to look at evidence?

The answer is yes he could. It doesn't mean it's the right decision, but since the Judge controls everything that happens in the courtroom, he controls what comes into evidence. If the judge makes the wrong decision and I ultimately lose the case, I can appeal on that precise issue.Feb 18, 2019

How do you look good in front of a judge?

Your Day in Court: How to Behave in Front of a Judge
  • Dress conservatively and professionally. No sandals. ...
  • Keep your makeup minimal and natural. Don't get crazy with that eye shadow. ...
  • Take the metal out of your face. If you normally wear facial piercings, take them out. ...
  • Don't wear a belt or complicated shoes.
Mar 11, 2014

How do lawyers convince their audience?

They Know their Audience – In order to truly convince someone, you have to be able to see the situation from their perspective. This is something lawyers do expertly. They’re able to get into the mind of their audience (be it a judge or a panel of jurors) and understand their thoughts, their feelings and their hesitations. Then, they can tell audience members exactly what they want to hear.

Why are lawyers so reasonable?

They’re Reasonable – Great lawyers appeal to reason. They use solid arguments, based on fact, logic and common sense. They deliver only true and accurate statements, and they’re fair and objective in the way they deliver them. They’re cooperative, they object only when there’s a good reason, and they’re willing to concede on meaningless, minor details when they’re true. Over the course of a trial, this earns the respect of the audience and gives them more reason to believe, trust, and stand behind the lawyer when it comes time for a decision.

Why do lawyers anticipate objections?

They Anticipate Likely Objections – Anticipation is key when it comes to the courtroom. Convincing lawyers are able to anticipate the objections and questions judges and jurors may have about their case and address them head on, before the audience even has time to realize it. This gives the illusion of a more iron-clad case, as audience members are left with no lingering curiosities or unanswered questions.

Why do lawyers get paid?

Lawyers are paid to convince others. Whether they are convincing a judge that a defendant is guilty or they are defending their own client’s position, one thing is for certain: they must be persuasive. In fact, a lawyer’s success is directly correlated to their ability to convince.

What do lawyers do?

They don’t just talk about the facts; they present them. They give their audience visible, tangible proof that the case is as they say it is by providing concrete evidence, clothing, pictures of the crime scene or the victim, documents etc.

How do lawyers use story telling?

They Use Storytelling – Lawyers tell a story that paints a picture; taking the audience from beginning to end, and make them feel as if they were actually present at the time of the crime. They choose their words carefully, keeping judges and jurors enthralled with strong adjectives and verbs, and they finish off with an emotionally-appealing, dramatic ending.

Why are judges trying to keep an efficient court?

So while trying to dispense justice fairly, judges are also trying to keep an efficient court so that they can hear all the cases on their packed dockets. The last thing they want is someone going off on a tangent about the origins of bicycles when all they asked was whether a stoplight was red.

Why do judges dress up?

This should be no surprise considering that they deal with the administration of justice! But beyond that, the judge himself is supposed to represent the American judicial system. That’s why they all wear those black robes and refer to themselves as “The Court.” When they don them, they’re no longer acting within their own capacity as a person, but rather as a human extension of the law . So when you dress up, it shows that you’re not only respecting the court, but also the judges themselves. Not to mention that the fact that there are a lot of judges who hate it when people come to court dressed like a hobo.

Do judges have the power to adjudicate cases?

Though judges are bound to adjudicate cases under law and have their own set of ethical rules, the fact that judges usually have control over the fate of your case should be enough incentive to try and stay on their good side. Not to mention that if you’re a big enough jerk, a judge has the power to hold people in contempt, ...

How to be a good lawyer?

1. Encourage lawyers to educate you on the issues of the case. It is OK to say you are new to the subject matter – no one expects you to be an expert. You are a judge of general jurisdiction for a reason, and lawyers will respect you for not trying to fake what you don’t know. 2. Allow lawyers to make their record, ...

Who is the Justice Jackson Lecture?

By Ellen Rosenblum. In early April, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum visited our headquarters in Reno, Nevada, to deliver the semi-annual Justice Jackson Lecture, named for mid-20 th century U.S. Supreme Court justice Robert H. Jackson. The former state trial and appellate judge with 22 years of experience on the bench titled her lecture ...

How to express yourself in court?

If you’re discussing the possibility of getting one of many court appearance bail bonds, make the situation simple to comprehend. If you’re discussing anything in general, be concise. Make sure you don’t waver with your statements. Make sure that you’re being 100 percent sincere and that everything you say is simple to conceive, too.

What does it mean to do well in court?

People who do well in court tend to be the individuals who hold others in high esteem. Don’t act like you’re too good for the court. Treat everyone well. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to the judge, to the witnesses or to the staff members.

How to answer questions?

It’s vital to take your time any time you have to answer questions. Think your answers through in vivid detail. Don’t make the mistake of blurting anything out that you don’t mean . Take a calm, rational and patient approach to dealing with any questions that come your way. Presenting a case well isn’t any kind of race. Speak in a slow and nuanced manner. The more eloquent you are, the better chance you have of getting the results you desire.

Why is it important to have a positive ruling?

If you want a positive ruling from the judge, then it can help immensely to pay attention to different trials that are going on. Doing this can help you anticipate things with much more ease. It can assist you with the process of getting ready as well. Clues regarding behavior can go a long way.

Does success in court have to be something that seems a million miles away from you?

Success in the courtroom doesn’t have to be something that seems a million miles away from you. If you want to present your case like a champion, there are options out there for you. Encouraging the judge to give you the outcome you want is actually something that’s within your reach.

What to do if you insist on giving the judge something besides a compliment?

If you insist on giving the judge something besides a compliment, stick to bar nuts, which are generally free to patrons. Just hope the judge doesn’t begin to chew them carelessly, spraying them in your face while letting loose with another mean-spirited barrage against “out of town lawyers.”.

How to make yourself believe in a judge?

Flattering Judges: How to Make Yourself Believe. As long as the judge believes that you believe your flattery, you’ll be on fairly safe ground. It’s actually a simple process. All you have to do is put yourself in the judge’s shoes. You have to think like he thinks and feel what he feels.

What did Gill not know about the judge?

What Gill didn’t know was that he was addressing the judge who presided over the city’s traffic docket . Spotting Gill as a faker, the judge was understandably outraged. Later that day, he complained to Gill’s bosses, who decided Gill should never get close to a judge again.

Why do lawyers pick jurors?

Selecting the jury is the only time an attorney has the opportunity to discover the life experiences, biases, beliefs, and attitudes of the people who will decide their case. The last thing any attorney wants is for bias to come out during the trial. Thus, how lawyers pick jurors is an essential indicator of the experience and knowledge ...

Who decides who wins or loses a case?

It is, after all, the jury that decides the verdict of a case, who wins and who loses. From the plaintiff’s standpoint, they are a chance to get justice and hold a guilty party accountable for a crime or other wrong. In a civil case, the jury will determine the degree of fault any given party holds, which will have a direct effect on ...

What do most prosecution cases not want?

What most prosecution cases don’t want are jurors that have connections to big corporations or insurance companies . They don’t want small business owners, HR personnel, or people who have been involved on the prosecution side of their own personal injury cases. In addition, you don’t want people who favor tort reform, or are vocally opposed to “frivolous lawsuits.”

What does "undesirable" mean in jury selection?

In this case, “undesirable” means people who are likely to sympathize with the defense.

Why is it important to listen to jurors?

That’s why it’s so important for attorneys to carefully listen and talk to their potential jurors to get a feel for how the individual case will be viewed.

Why do unions make good jurors?

Very often, union employees make for good prosecution jurors as they are used to fighting injustice. People who are prone to look unfavorably on big corporations are good for cases like product liability and trucking accident cases.

What is the difference between winning and losing a case?

Picking the right jury is the difference between winning and losing a case. The greatest mistake that an attorney will make is trying to find a jury that’s biased towards their side, rather than trying to find one that’s as impartial as possible. Trying to find a jury that’s anything less than fair can be a fast path to losing a case , and a good lawyer knows this.

How do opposing lawyers distract their opponents?

One way opposing lawyers distract their opponents by filing incessant motions to frustrate a matter. Some lawyers are easily distracted by allowing every issue raised by an opposing lawyer to become a dispute. While it is essential to react to some motions, learn to ignore harmless ones.

Why are lawyers so calm?

Calm lawyers are usually the most efficient because they do not allow their emotions to becloud their sense of reasoning. Nothing upsets an opposing counsel more than a calm and collected lawyer.

Why is it important to have facts on your fingertips?

Having the facts of your case on your fingertips will enable you to stay ahead of the opposing counsel. One tactic employed by difficult opposing lawyers is to distract you in every way possible. A lawyer who knows the facts of his case will not veer off course by joining issues with an opposing counsel on extraneous matters.

What is a difficult opposing counsel?

A difficult opposing counsel is every legal practitioner’s nightmare. Even judges dread the thought of presiding over matters involving a difficult lawyer. Their fears are understandable. Difficult lawyers seem to have a penchant for employing unethical tactics to win a case. According to some lawyers, dealing with a difficult opposing counsel is ...

What upsets opposing counsel more than a calm and collected lawyer?

Nothing upsets an opposing counsel more than a calm and collected lawyer. A relaxed lawyer who is not overwhelmed with emotion is less likely to make mistakes in his case.

How to be proactive in a court case?

To be proactive, lawyers must have a plan of action and anticipate the next move of the opposing counsel, just like in a chess game. By preempting the moves of the lawyer on the other side, you will avoid delays caused by your opponent’s delayed actions.

Why are lawyers so aggressive?

The reason many lawyers are uncivil and aggressive comes from the desire to please their clients. There is certainly a popular misconception by the public that lawyers who are difficult and aggressive are the ones who can bring in results.

How to get a good lawyer to take your case?

“If you want to improve your chances of securing the best lawyer to take your case, you need to prepare before you meet them,” advises attorney Stephen Babcock. “Get your story, facts, and proof together well before your first meeting.” This not only ensures that you understand your own needs, but it helps a good lawyer to ascertain whether he or she can actually help you. “We want the best clients too. Proving you’re organized and reliable helps us.”

Why is it important to approach a lawyer with honesty?

“ Winning cases can be lost because of a client who lies or exaggerates just as easily as because of a lawyer who tells the client what the client wants to hear instead of what is true.” So when dealing with attorneys, don’t just look for honesty—be honest.

Should a lawyer stay out of court?

In fact, a lawyer should try to stay out of court. “In my experience, a good lawyer always finds every opportunity to keep a case from being decided by a judge, and only relents on trying a case before the bench when all alternatives have been exhausted,” attorney, Jason Cruz says.

Do you need a lawyer to write a demand letter?

On reading a demand letter, the other person will often say, “this isn’t worth the trouble” and they quickly settle. But here’s a secret from Knight: You don’t need a lawyer to write a demand letter. You can do it yourself. Just make it look as formal as possible, and you may find your dispute goes away—no charge to you.

Is divorce hard?

It’s not as hard as you might think, according to attorney Randall M. Kessler, author of Divorce: Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future. “Shop around and trust your instincts,” he advises. “Does the lawyer listen to you? Do they explain things in a way you can understand? And are they willing to discuss fees and costs? The person you hire will need to be someone you trust and believe in, so be sure you feel very good about them from the start.”

Can you appeal a disability denial?

If you feel helpless when faced with an insurance denial, please know that you might be able to appeal with the help of a qualified lawyer, says David Himelfarb, attorney. Insurance companies routinely deny long-term disability claims, for example, particularly because it’s assumed that most people don’t have access to reputable attorneys to challenge the denial. “This is where intricate knowledge of the legal and insurance process, as well as the right team of experts to prove the claim, can reverse the odds.”

Do most cases settle outside the courtroom?

In choosing your attorney and your plan of action in resolving a dispute, it’s important to consider that despite what you see on television, most cases never see the inside of a courtroom. Typically, they’re settled outside the courtroom because of the time and expense involved, according to attorney Darren Heitner, author of How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know.

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