Preparing For Court

If you are representing yourself, you are still bound by the same obligations as someone who has a lawyer.

This guide will help you to understand what you should do when you come to court.

By following some simple guidelines and the rules of court, you will be well prepared to manage your case and you should feel more comfortable with the Court surroundings.

Getting ready for court

Getting Your Documents Ready

• Before coming to court for your hearing, make sure you have all your documents together.
• It is best to have your documents labeled and organized in date order so you can find them quickly.
• Bring paper and a pen so you can take notes as to what the judicial officer orders.

Dressing Appropriately 

The courtroom is a formal place. You should dress appropriately. No shorts, tank tops, hats or sunglasses (unless prescription) are permitted.

Arriving in court

Personal Safety

To ensure the safety and security of all staff and visitors, parties are prohibited from entering any area designated as "Employees Only." Please observe all posted signage and remain in public-access areas unless escorted or otherwise authorized by court personnel. 

If you have any concerns when you are in the court building, please speak with court staff or personnel from the Sheriff's Department, located on the first floor.

Checking in with the courtroom clerk

When you arrive at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex, after going through security on the second floor, proceed to the public waiting room. Once the courtroom opens, your calendar will be called and all associated parties with be escorted to the appropriate courtroom.

Waiting for your case to be heard

A number of cases may be scheduled on the same day and time as your hearing. Once you have checked in as indicated above, remain in the courtroom until your case is called. Some of the courtrooms are very small with limited seating, so if you come to court with a relative or friend, that person(s) may be asked to wait outside of the courtroom. While in the courtroom pagers and cell phones should be placed on “vibrate” or “silent” mode. Should you need to accept or make a phone call, step out of the courtroom and into the public area while talking. Do not bring food or drinks into the courtroom.

During your case hearing

Calendar Call

After everyone that is scheduled for a court hearing checks-in with the courtroom clerk, the judicial officer will come out to the courtroom, and call each case on calendar. When your case is called, stand and tell the court who you are; the judicial officer may ask you some questions.

Responding to the Judicial Officer

Wait until you are addressed to start speaking. Do not talk over the other person or the judicial officer. If there is a court reporter present they can only write for one person at a time.

Addressing the Judicial Officer

You should always address the judicial officer as "Your Honor".

After your case hearing

Court Orders About Your Case

After your case is heard:

• The judicial officer may issue orders about your case.
• Write down these orders.
• Didn't understand something? Ask the judicial officer to repeat it - right then, before you leave.
• If the other side has an attorney, the judicial officer may direct that attorney to write up a formal order.
• If there's no attorney on the other side, the judicial officer may direct you to write up the order.