I worked in the 2nd largest court in Oregon. The reason protocal is so important in court rooms is to ensure a very fair trail, under the law. Not under "how cute the defendant is" or if the judge had a fight with his wife that morning and is in a bad mood.

The judges job is to merely conduct the hearing / trial. He didn't write the laws.

When you go to court, don't smile. Don't frown. Stand up to answer the questions without expanation unless asked to do so.

Do not react when things don't go your way. The judge will see this as you trying to manipulate the process outside of the prescribed ways.

You are literally showing contempt to the process.


The fact is, as a roman statesman once said, "The law is an ass". That being said, judges are certainly human and exist in the culture they are a part of.

I know it sucks, but if you can think of a more fair system I am all ears.