Municipal Court Dress & Conduct Code

Safety

For the safety of Court Personnel:

  • All persons who enter the Municipal Court, City Hall Building or any office utilized by the City of Melissa Municipal Court are subject to search of their person and their belongings
  • For the security of defendant's privileged information, audio and video recording devices of any kind will not be permitted in the courtroom. All cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices will not be allowed in the courtroom
  • Every person shall obey the court rules and shall conduct himself or herself in a respectful and courteous manner. The bailiff shall remove any person in violation of the dress code or court rules

Attire

All persons entering the court are to be dressed appropriately. All persons will not be allowed to enter the courtroom wearing:

  • Excessively baggy pants
  • Hats of any kind
  • Open toed shoes
  • Shorts
  • Sleeveless shirts

Clothing that will not be allowed in the courtroom includes articles with words, slogans, depictions, or pictures which are:

  • Obscene
  • Offensive
  • Racist
  • Sexist
  • Suggestive
  • Vulgar

Final approval of appropriate dress will be determined by court personnel. For security reasons, handbags will not be allowed in the courtroom. Please leave them at home or secure them in your vehicle.

Conduct

  1. Address the court as "Judge" or "Your Honor"
  2. Do not disturb or distract the court, counsels, witnesses, or other court personnel
  3. Do not approach the Judge's bench without permission. Do not rest arms or hands on the bench
  4. Rise when the Judge enters and remain standing until the Judge or bailiff announces "Be Seated" or until the Judge is seated. Rise when the Judge exits the courtroom
  5. There is no talking while the court is in session
  6. Do not argue with the Judge or court personnel
  7. No food, drink or chewing gum is allowed in the court
  8. All cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices must be turned off while court is in session
  9. Disrupting the functions of the court and/or the clerk's office may result in additional charges being filed

Every person shall obey the court rules and shall conduct himself or herself in a respectful and courteous manner. The bailiff shall remove any person in violation of the dress code or court rules.

By order of the Melissa Municipal Court.