Appearance Matters! How You Look in the Courtroom Makes a Difference
What you wear into the courtroom matters. While it may seem trivial to some, how you look and act can influence the overall outcome of your case in small ways. Judges notice details. They, like all people, will form an opinion about you simply based on the way you dress and carry yourself. It’s a case of judging a book by its cover. When you are expected to be in the courtroom, you always want to make a good first impression — regardless of why you are in court, whether it’s a minor traffic infraction or a more serious criminal issue. There are several steps you can take to ensure you make a good impression. First, always dress for the occasion. Essentially, dress as if you were going to an important job interview. This means you should never wear shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or anything printed with offensive language or imagery. You don’t necessarily need to dress in formal attire, but a clean, respectful look will go a long way. Second, arrive early to your scheduled court appearance. This applies to anyone with a court date, including the plaintiff, the defendant, attorneys, experts, witnesses, and others. Showing up ahead of the scheduled time conveys preparation, thoughtfulness, and respect.
Third, never chew gum or hold candy in your mouth. It doesn’t matter the situation. Talking with gum or candy in your mouth is highly disrespectful, not to mention irritating for everyone in the courtroom. The last thing you want to do is irritate a judge.
Fourth, keep your cellphone out of sight. In fact, don’t bring it into the courtroom if you can help it. It invites distraction. If you are spotted using a cellphone, the judge is likely to call you out. The consequence will vary from judge to judge, but those consequences will never be worth it.
MEME CORNER
Sweet Potato Hash Cooking With Ashley
Ingredients: •
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2–3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large sweet potato, diced (about 3 cups, skin on)
1 small sweet or white onion, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
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1/2 cup vegetable broth 2–3 teaspoons oil of choice
Directions
1. Heat the oven to 400 F. Wash sweet potato well. The skins should be mostly kept on because they make the hash nice and crispy. They also add fiber and nutrients! 2. In a large mixing bowl, toss potatoes with vegetable broth, oil, and garlic. Pour potato mixture into a glass baking dish and roast at 400 F until potatoes are tender but not mushy, 25–35 minutes. 3. Warm a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon oil. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes or until soft. 4. Add roasted potato mixture to skillet and toss with onions. Season with salt and paper to taste. Sauté for at least 10 minutes. Potatoes should be brown and crispy. The longer you sauté the potatoes, the crispier they will become. Serve warm.
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Recipe adapted from Lunchboxlunch.com
www.matthewkoneckypa.com
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