When I was growing up, when Mom and Dad would occasionally go
out for dinner, Mom put on her best dress and Dad his coat and tie and off
they’d go. Just about the same way they
would dress for church the next morning.
When I began to practice law in the mid-1970’s, no one would
dare dream of going to the courthouse without a coat and tie – even if you were
called for jury duty.
The Rules of Decorum today provide for “appropriate
courtroom attire.” I used to tell my
clients to dress for court as if they were going to church. That doesn’t work so well any more, as a
significant number of churchgoers wear shorts, cut-offs, t-shirts and even tank
tops. I am amazed that people come to
court in such outfits.
No one wore a hat in Lucy McCarthy’s house, but rarely a
week goes by when I don’t tell someone in court to take off their baseball cap.
When I was first on the bench, I would send home defendants
who were not properly dressed and told them to come back later in the day. Most did, but some did not. So, I switched to thanking those who did come to court dressed up – shirt and
tie for men, dress or dress suit for women – often by reducing the fine they
were required to pay.
As an attorney, I rarely went to the office without coat and
tie. Today, with casual Fridays several
times a week, attorneys are called into court on short notice and appear in
what is inappropriate courtroom attire.
Sometimes it’s not even business casual – it is jeans and a polo shirt.
When I was campaigning for office in the 70’s and 80’s, I
would always wear at least a shirt and tie.
Now, candidates running for president are routinely seen in “business
casual” or even jeans and plaid shirts.
I’m sure there are well-paid consultants advising the candidates how to
dress, but it just doesn’t feel right to me.
When a person comes to court, or asks a voter for the privilege of
serving in elective office, I believe they should dress to show the seriousness
and sobriety of the task.
But, I have quit complaining about the dress of most
litigants and attorneys, unless it is just too offensive to overlook. But just because I tolerate it doesn’t mean
I like it or think it’s appropriate.
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Next week: All Men
Are Created Equal
