Mastering Courtroom Composure: Essential for Success
Why is it important to keep your reactions under control when you’re in court?
Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa family law attorney with the Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for eight years, and I want to help make the law easy by talking a little about courtroom decorum—and why keeping your composure is so important.
The Impact of High Emotions in Court
Now, I know this might sound like common sense, and you may wonder why I’d even take the time to talk about it. But I don’t think it’s a waste of time at all. I see this happen so often in court. It’s not because clients—or anyone else in the courtroom—are bad people. It’s simply because these are high-stress situations. Emotions run high, tensions run even higher, and sometimes people just react without thinking. Unfortunately, the judge notices, and it never helps your case.
Let me give you an example. Early in my career, I had a case where my clients were repeatedly admonished by the judge because they couldn’t stop nonverbally reacting to the other side. They were making faces, rolling their eyes—acting in ways that honestly reminded me of how my own kids act with each other. It wasn’t a good look. The judge didn’t appreciate it, the opposing party didn’t appreciate it, and it slowed the entire process because the judge had to keep stopping to admonish people.
Real-World Consequences of Losing Composure
Another time, a few years later, I was giving a closing argument in a civil case. The opposing party didn’t like what I was saying. Instead of staying quiet, he blurted out, “What the hell did he just say?”—right in the middle of court. Needless to say, that didn’t help his case at all.
The point is this: you have to maintain courtroom decorum. Show respect for the process, for the judge, and for the court itself—even if you can’t stand the other side or their lawyer. If you can’t respect the court, you shouldn’t be there.
Keeping Your Cool for Better Outcomes
So, whatever you do, keep yourself under control. Hold your reactions in check. And if you need to vent, wait until after court is over.
My name is Carl Birkhead and I’m a Tulsa criminal case attorney with the Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy.
Schedule Your Strategy Session Today
If you’re facing a legal situation and want guidance on keeping your courtroom composure, reach out for a low-cost initial strategy session. Call us today at 918-879-1681, and let’s take the first step toward handling your case with care and respect.
