A question I often get asked by my clients is whether what they wear to court matters.  My answer is always yes, although there are many reasons why I give this answer.

 

While I certainly do not believe it necessary that all defendants show up in a suit and tie, one does not wish to show up so under-dressed that it can be viewed as a lack of recognition

A Larimer County, Colorado Judge recently was suspended following an investigation by the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.  The court record of these proceedings has been made available to the public.

 

The record certainly paints a picture of a continued display of offensive conduct often rising to the level of sexual harassment. Among the allegations are that the judge frequently pointed out how overweight a court collection officer was,

In some cases, a Judge may order a presentence investigation report prior to imposing a sentence.  In others, either the prosecuting attorney or the defense attorney may order such a report.  In some cases the production of such a report is required by law, and in others, such production is discretionary.

 

The Law On Presentence Investigation Reports

Subsequent to a defendant being convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, the

Oftentimes, individuals are arrested when charges are filed, and spend some amount of time in custody prior to their criminal case being resolved.  Some spend as little as one day in custody, others spend months if not years, depending upon their ability to post a bond.  Some are unable to bond out due to either a parole hold or an ICE (or Immigration and Customs Enforcement) hold.

 

In felony

Whether they’re walking to work or just walking across the grocery store parking lot, everyone is a pedestrian at some point, and so from a slightly morbid perspective, we all have a chance of being involved in a pedestrian-motor vehicle accident. That much is true, but the odds of being in this type of accident are certainly not even for everyone.

 

A national study conducted in 2011 concluded what