Attendees to the Round Rock Municipal Court should adhere to the following guidelines:
Attire
All persons present in a courtroom of the Round Rock Municipal Court must be dressed appropriately for the dignity and decorum of a court proceeding and shall wear, at a minimum, a shirt (or blouse, sweater, etc.), pants or skirt, and shoes.
The following attire is deemed by the Court to be inappropriate for court sessions:
- Pajamas, swim wear, tank tops, muscle shirts, shirts with exposed midriffs;
- Clothing displaying pictures of words that are derogatory, crude, offensive, profane or disrespectful to the court proceedings;
- Provocative or revealing clothing designed or styled to provoke emotion or disruption of court proceedings;
- Sunglasses;
- Bandanas or headgear of any kind that is not worn for religious or medical purposes.
Conduct
The court adopts the following rules of conduct for all courtrooms of the Round Rock Municipal Court:
- All persons scheduled for hearings before the court shall be present in the courtroom at their scheduled time.
- All persons present in the courtroom shall rise when the Judge enters the courtroom and remain standing until they are instructed to be seated.
- All persons shall address the Judge as “Your Honor” or “Judge,” and address opposing parties, counsel, witnesses, and court officers as “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” Miss,” Dr.,” etc.
- Persons addressing the Court will not talk at the same time as the Judge, opposing counsel, or witnesses are talking and shall not argue with the Judge or court personnel.
- No persons shall approach the Judge’s bench without the Judge’s or Bailiff’s permission. Persons standing at the Judge’s bench shall not rest their hands or arms on the bench.
- Attorneys shall observe the cannons of ethics, including those dealing with the discussion of cases with representatives of the media; those concerning improper ex parte communications with the Judge and advising their clients and witnesses of local rules of attire and conduct.
- The use of racist, sexist, obscene, or profane language or gestures is prohibited, unless such language or gestures are pertinent to a case being heard by the Court, or are elicited and quoting from facts in the case.
- Any conduct or activity that disturbs or distracts the Judge, the jury, counsel, witnesses, or other Court personnel while Court is in session is prohibited. Such conduct or activity that may be considered disturbing or distracting includes entering and exiting the courtroom frequently, loud conversations, and crying children.
- Shirts must be tucked for security purposes as instructed by the court’s bailiff.
- Food, chewing gum, candy, tobacco, and drinks are not permitted in the courtroom at any time. Sealed water bottles are permitted in the courtroom.
- The possession of knives or weapons of any kind in the courtroom is strictly prohibited, with the exception of knives or weapons that are carried or possessed by law enforcement officers, or as needed for presentation as evidence in court proceedings.
- All cell phones or electronic devices must be turned off during court proceedings, unless otherwise authorized by the judge.
- The use or operation of electronic game devices during court proceedings is prohibited.
