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Rule 40. Courtroom Conduct

Oklahoma Statutes AnnotatedLocal District Court Rules

Oklahoma Statutes Annotated
Local District Court Rules
Rules of the Seventh and Twenty-Sixth Administrative Districts [Oklahoma and Canadian Counties]
Okl.St.Ann. Rule 40
Rule 40. Courtroom Conduct
Currentness
As members of the Bar, lawyers owe duties of professionalism to their clients, opposing parties and their counsel, the courts and other tribunals, and the public as a whole. Those duties include among others: civility, professional integrity, personal dignity, candor, diligence, respect, courtesy, cooperation, and competence. Your personal appearance and conduct in the courtroom is visible evidence of your respect for the rule of law and the administration of justice. Lawyers shall conduct their business before the Court in an appropriate and professional manner at all times, and shall extend courtesy and civility toward the opposing counsel, the Court and the members of the Court's staff.
The following guidelines are provided to counsel for proper courtroom decorum:
1. Cell phones and pagers shall not be audible.
2. Remove hats and topcoats before entering the courtroom.
3. Stand when talking to or being addressed by the judge.
4. Make certain that the Court file in your matter is available for benefit of the judge as needed.
5. Do not sit on the counsel table, rail, or the arms of the chairs.
6. Do not approach the bench or a witness unless permission is obtained or you are invited to do so.
7. Examine witnesses and jurors in a manner so that the judge, reporter and all concerned may properly hear. Do not needlessly or aimlessly walk about, but at all times preserve a dignified appearance, examining and cross examining witnesses from the podium.
8. When the exclusionary rule is requested, counsel shall maintain a lookout over the courtroom to see that none of the witnesses unknowingly violate the rule.
9. Avoid personal references to opposing counsel.
10. Address arguments to the judge or jury and not opposing counsel.
11. Treat all jurors, witnesses and Court personnel in a friendly but impersonal manner, irrespective of actual personal relationships.
12. When your business in Court is finished, depart quietly if you wish to retire. It is unnecessary to ask to be excused when your business is completed.
13. All attorneys shall wear appropriate attire. Men shall wear coats and ties. Women shall wear professional attire, i.e.: conservative dresses, suits and pantsuits. Appropriate attire for attorneys does not include jeans, warm-ups, jogging suits, sweats, shorts or other casual or athletic clothing, including athletic shoes. Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities on notice to the court.

Credits

[Adopted effective May 1, 2000.]
Okl. St. Ann. Rule 40, OK ST T. Rule 40
Current with emergency effective legislation through Chapter 257 of the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature (2024). Some sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document