Trial is a nerve-racking experience for litigants, many have not been in the courtroom before. Indiana’s judges and lawyers want you to have your day in court and the case decided by a neutral fact finder. However, with the pressures of property and children in the balance, litigants do all sorts of little things that can help or hurt their case, sometimes in profound ways. Here are some recent observations.
Things that can hurt your case:
- Having your cell phone ring during court.
- Trying to answer the question the right way, not the way it is presented.
- Arguing with the attorney or objecting to the question.
- Chewing gum.
- And believe it or not, being late to court.
As much as these can deflect from the real story or dynamic of the case, there are many things that help your case, which together, become cumulative to your legal objective you want the court to reach:
- Being honest, even if it means admitting to something you are not proud of or done in a moment of weakness.
- Acknowledging the strengths and love of the other parent.
- Resisting the temptation to place blame on the other parent for the divorce (i.e., he/she had an affair).
- Dressing for the occasion (blue jeans, a night-club look shirt, and messy hair), as this shows the court you acknowledge its authority.
These may seem like common sense, but we observe these good and bad characteristics exhibited in litigants in almost every case. Know little things can mean a lot. This blog post was written by attorneys at Dixon & Moseley, P.C. who practice across the State of Indiana. This blog is for general educational purposes and not a solicitation for legal services or intended to be legal advice.