Going to court...

[morrison]

Woofwoof In Bichon Frisé dogbreed that means;
"I don't know what goes on in a courtroom. I know what goes on outside the courtroom. I think most of the conversation is what goes on outside the courtroom. I'll be myself inside the courtroom (should I have to go into one). That means I'll likely be kilted.

Now this bridge is not in front of me, it's facing you, so my opine is to Kilt up, modestly, and make the court appearance. It's just another day. Additionally, having questions to one's self about the appropriateness of a kilt in our American court seems to me to be a manifestation of self-doubt.

Therefore, either quash the doubt, take courage, be filled with confidence and self respect; or, slip into the pants and wonder forever after why you didn't go with your gut and kilt on.

Isn't it the function of the courts to the find truth, legal truth within the facts of the issue being scrutinized? How does apparel or fashion change the finding of justice?
Is someone in the courtroom a fashion cop who wants particular styles to prevail in the system?arf"

[Bigkahuna]

IMHO for what it's worth, the courtroom is no place to make any kind of a fashion statement. Get in and out with the least amount of hassle possible.

[thescot]

Zardoz, Texas, Georgia, or Nwe York. A suit is always appropriate attire at court.

If making a statement is a big deal, then wear something else. But if you want to be taken seriously, you can't go wrong in a coat and tie.

[BoldHighlander]

Isn't it the function of the courts to the find truth, legal truth within the facts of the issue being scrutinized? How does apparel or fashion change the finding of justice?

While this should be the case unfortunately appearance does play into it, as it does most often in society as a whole. Its why attorneys so often have their clients spruce up

[thescot]

arf"[/COLOR]

No, the function of courts is to make a judgment, hopefully based on truth. And let's fact, actual facts are often quashed or excluded, so blind justice is little more than a pipe dream or a statue.

yes, there often are some who want particular styles to prevail. I've seen attorneys who were parties to the case dressed down for overly casual attire. Of course, I've also seen a few dressed like bums with impunity; depends on the judge sometimes.

All that "don't judge a book by its cover" stuff is fine on a college campus, but in the real world, looks really do often count. That's just the way it is.

[English Bloke]

I believe that every Bloke should have the right to wear whatever he wants, when ever he wants. Additionally, provided he remains decent, no man should be judged on his choice of clothes. Unfortunately, (outside the highlands of Scotland possibly) the rest of the world isn't quite ready for this.

In your situation I would want the accused to be, rightly, the centre of attention. I fear that wearing a kilt may detract from that and the scrote may thank you for drawing attention away from him and his misdemeanours.

It's not right but it's probably realistic. If I were you I'd wear a suit.

[LANCER1562]

Zardoz,

I tend to agree with the majority here. Although you are kilted most of the time, I think you would draw undue attention to yourself and away from the case; therefor I agree that you should go with a suit and tie.

[fluter]

... or, slip into the pants and wonder forever after why you didn't go with your gut and kilt on.

No Zardoz will not, because (I suspect) that his gut is tellng him something quite different. I could be wrong, it's not unprecedented.

Is someone in the courtroom a fashion cop who wants particular styles to prevail in the system?

Very frequently, in my experience. Usually it's the dude in the black robe.

[Zardoz]

No Zardoz will not, because (I suspect) that his gut is tellng him something quite different. I could be wrong, it's not unprecedented.
Quote:
Is someone in the courtroom a fashion cop who wants particular styles to prevail in the system?

Very frequently, in my experience. Usually it's the dude in the black robe.

Or in this case the grey haired lady in the black robe!

If y'all read many of my posts on here, you know I wear the kilt to basically any type of event I'm liable to go to. Some of which many kilties might shy away from. I'm of the better to ask forgiveness than permission school. Being "filled with confidence and self respect" is really not one of my problems! Never backward about being forward, as my mom used to say.

But as has been observed, some Judges are particular about dress in their courtroom, and I have seen them call out folks, including lawyers, for not dressing appropriately in their courtroom. I drove a kid from work to traffic court once so he could plead no contest and pay some fines, and the judge would not hear him (or take is money!) because he was wearing short pants.

That being said, we know that in the US showing up in Highlandwear outside of certain places no matter how appropriately attired, is gonna cause a positive or negative reaction among most people that see you. My take on that 98% of the time is hey, positive=good for me, and negative=I don't care, it's generally positive and I dress to please myself.
But this is that 2% of the time where I guess I don't want to cause a reaction either way.

Like any stranger, I don't know how the Judge in this deal will react to the kilt, she might think I'm the nicest looking young man in town, she also might think I'm some kind of nut, or even put me out of the room. Same for the lawyers on both sides. As I've said, I am going to be a witness for the State, trying to help make sure this delinquent teen gets some kind of punisment, rather than a slap on the wrist and then back out to rob again. I think this is an occasion where a lack of reaction to my attire is the goal to shoot for, and wearing the same 'costume' as the other folks involved should accomplish that.

So unless something changes after I talk to the DA, I guess I'll be 'suiting up' for this one. I'll be sure and post a photo, I don't think I've worn one in 2 years, but I look quite the business in a suit

[O'Callaghan]

I think it's all about looking smart, confident and comfortable, and achieving the correct level of formality. I agree that someone who fidgets because they aren't used to what they are wearing could be distracting, although I suspect the lawyer who doesn't want defendants to dress up of merely fearing being upstaged, which IMHO is not a legitimate concern.

Putting on a suit and tie is an easy way of looking smart and formal, ironically perhaps especially if it isn't worn at other times, although perhaps not if so seldom worn that it doesn't feel right. For the latter, I'd say practice wearing it before the appearance.

It is perfectly possible to convey the right impression without wearing a suit, and certainly when wearing a kilt, but it may take more effort, or even skill. You have to be sure you can carry it off before you walk in.