Going to court...

**Zardoz** · 19th April 10, 04:13 PM

I got a subpoena today, I didn't do it! Lemme explain...

To make a short story kind of long.....
Back in November, I interrupted 2 juveniles in the act of stealing stuff from my garage. I 'detained' one of them for a bit till the sheriffs came, the other fled with an item. The deputies found him in a few minutes though. I pressed charges, and they were proccessed at county juvenile.

The one I detained (age 16) had no record, and his family was in the process of moving out of the state, so on the advice of the DA I dropped the charge.

I got a call about the other kid shortly after that, He was 13 or 14 and had two prior arrests, one involving drugs. The DA's plan is to ask the judge to send him to a "Boot Camp" where hopefully he will learn something. This was like 3 months ago.

I figured it was a done deal, but today I get served to appear as the 'victim'
in the case!

What's this got to do with kilts??
Well, since I'm kilted almost full time, I always say if I get called for jury duty I'd go kilted, knowing full well I'd be viewed as an 'eccentric' and likely not get picked.
But since I am trying to help the State do something with this delinquent, my gut feeling is that I should not stand out in a way that might detract from the business at hand. It won't kill me to conform for one day, dust off my one nice business suit and dress like a lawyer.

(with a loud tie of course

)

**cessna152towser** · 19th April 10, 04:17 PM

dress like a lawyer.

Well latterly I usually wore a black kilt in Court when I practised as a lawyer, but I do know lawyers who wear tartan kilts to Court.
If you were wearing a kilt at the time of the incident it would seem appropriate to be kilted to give evidence.

**ccga3359** · 19th April 10, 04:18 PM

I agree with you Zardoz, why be a distraction. Let the kid have his day in court.

**BobsYourUncle** · 19th April 10, 04:25 PM

Discretion is the better part of valor. Just because you are entitled to doesn't mean you should... I am a lawyer, and when I appear in court, I won't even wear a bow tie [I loves me my bow ties...in most circumstances where I feel I must wear a business suit that does not include a kilt, I wear a bow tie not only as a matter of style, but also as a show of defiance. But, if I am in front of a jury, or I need the favorable attitude of a judge, I wear an understated business suit, and an understated tie. I think you should follow your instinct to avoid distracting from the business at hand.

On the other hand, that having been said, it sounds like you are asked to appear at a sentencing-type hearing where they are after a "victim impact statement", and want your input as to what you think of what they propose to do with the young miscreant. It doesn't sound like your credibility will be the issue, it sounds like your views of the proposed disposition are the key thing, so it would seem that you have more lattitude, so the "distraction" of distinctive cultural dress won't adversely impact the proceedings. Based on that, I guess it really comes down to what you think you should do! O.K., I just took you through all of that to say "whatever"...sorry...

**Zardoz** · 19th April 10, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Well latterly I usually wore a black kilt in Court when I practised as a lawyer, but I do know lawyers who wear tartan kilts to Court.
If you were wearing a kilt at the time of the incident it would seem appropriate to be kilted to give evidence.

I think I can say with some degree of certainty, that no attorney in Fort Bend County goes into a courtroom kilted!

As it happens I was wearing old torn up jeans at the time of the incident, I'd been loading rotten lumber on a truck. I was kilted when the detective came by to get my formal statment at my home, and the only comment he had was "what tartan?"

**Jordan** · 19th April 10, 06:25 PM

I would say if you dont feel comfertable goin to court in a kilt not to bother but on the other hand if you are kilted almost full time then I would say go for it.

just my tuppence

Jordan

**Standard** · 19th April 10, 07:58 PM

I agree with your first assesment of the situation. In this case I'd say it's better to not be a "distraction" in the courtroom and let the attention fall on the delinquent. Now, sitting on the jury kilted would be another matter all-together.

**DougC** · 19th April 10, 08:17 PM

Why not call the DA and ask what they suggest. I always tell clients to dress comfortably. Generally, this means khakis and a nice shirt. Keep in mind, a distraction is one thing. If the DA is seating a jury, you might put someone off and the decision might not go your way. Of course, its hard to tell where your case is in the process. So, call the DA...

**bchunter** · 19th April 10, 08:18 PM

I tend to agree with the sentiment of not being the attraction, but rather allowing the lad to be the center of attention. If you'd had prior experience in that court in a kilt, then it might be a different matter.

**thescot** · 19th April 10, 08:21 PM

I am not an attorney, but as part of my work, I often have to go to court.

I always go dress at least as well and as conservatively as the best dressed person in court. It is my intent to be taken seriously when I, and I do not want something so mundane as my attire to distract.

You are wise, my friend, to choose a coat and tie. I am almost certain the shys-, uh, lawyers will be suited. So should you be.