Need a quick answer - how to dress for a court appearance?

[The Sauce]

I have to testify in a few hours as an expert witness in a medical case. Was planning on just wearing what I wear to work - slacks and shirt, no tie. Should I dress more formally? Is a tie expected?

 

[guyver01]

dress in bloody scrubs. tell them you just came from major surgery.
you'll look more believable.

 

[Savij]

suit, tie

 

[shortylickens]

For your case, I'd assume a suit, even if its not your normal work outfit.

OR...............

 

[The Sauce]

I guess Oz does it on his show (scrubs), but he's a douche. Anyway I dont have scrubs at home and sure as hell ain't going to the hospital to get them first.

 

[Vette73]

slacks and shirt is fine.

 

[The Sauce]

Crap. A Suit? Really? I'm not getting paid for this. Will be about 10 minutes of testimony.

 

[The Sauce]

slacks and shirt is fine.

Ah there's the answer I wanted

 

[guyver01]

Ah there's the answer I wanted

that's ATOT for ya... post a question and give it 30min.. eventually you'll get the answer ya want

 

[Mucho]

You need an awesome hairdo like this guy.

 

[dabuddha]

Tuxedo

 

[SearchMaster]

If you're the defendant I'd recommend a suit, but for an unpaid expert opinion, business casual should be find.

However, if there's a chance you could be used again as a paid expert by one of the law firms involved in the case, a suit wouldn't be a bad idea, think of it as a job interview of sorts.

 

[Fear No Evil]

If you can't be bothered to even put on a tie why should the judge/jury assume your haven't been lazy in your medical work as well? If you are going to expect people to respect you as a professional, dressing appropriately is part of the equation.

 

[Jeeebus]

If you're an expert witness, then I'll go ahead and assume you were retained by an attorney to testify. Perhaps call him?

I have no knowledge of your situation or what case you're being called in for, but every expert I have ever worked with has at least worn a sport jacket/tie, if not a full suit.

 

[CptCrunch]

Clown Suit

 

[MJinZ]

Birthday suit.

 

[tk149]

I'd recommend a suit. The more professional you look, the more credible your opinion. It's just human nature. With the judges in robes and attorneys in suits, you won't feel overdressed.

I worked for a Public Defender one summer. They told me that they used to advise their clients to wear their best outfits for court. After they got people dressing up in hot nightclub outfits, they switched to telling their clients to dress like they were going to church.

 

[BoomerD]

Birthday suit.

This...it's the only way the jury can tell that you're not hiding something.

 

[yllus]

How are you not getting paid for this? Time isn't free.

 

[Jeeebus]

How are you not getting paid for this? Time isn't free.

could be a pro bono matter. could be that he agreed to do it for free in hopes of building up his resume as a testifying expert.

 

[Vette73]

If you can't be bothered to even put on a tie why should the judge/jury assume your haven't been lazy in your medical work as well? If you are going to expect people to respect you as a professional, dressing appropriately is part of the equation.

Yea cause wearing a tie means serious business.

 

[nanette1985]

I've been thru a lot of medical legal stuff and all the medical expert witnesses I've seen wear a suit and tie.

 

[MotF Bane]

I'd recommend a suit. The more professional you look, the more credible your opinion. It's just human nature. With the judges in robes and attorneys in suits, you won't feel overdressed.

I worked for a Public Defender one summer. They told me that they used to advise their clients to wear their best outfits for court. After they got people dressing up in hot nightclub outfits, they switched to telling their clients to dress like they were going to church.

:awe:

 

[bruceb]

If you are being called as an expert or professional witness, wear a suit / tie.
It will give more credibility to your testimony. The judge and jury will notice.
Especially if you come in dressed badly. It is after all, a courtroom and you should
dress correctly.

 

[BurnItDwn]

If you can't be bothered to even put on a tie why should the judge/jury assume your haven't been lazy in your medical work as well? If you are going to expect people to respect you as a professional, dressing appropriately is part of the equation.

Lazyness has nothing to do with wearing ties. Perhaps some people don't like being super uncomfortable due to having a noose hanging around their neck cutting off circulation. At least thats what a tie feels like to me.