(256) 333-5000
Free Consultation
No Fees Until We Win

Courtroom Behavior

A wooden gavel rests on a judge's bench in a courtroom, with blurred chairs and a podium in the background.
Justice awaits in the courtroom.

Don’t Go Solo

I have appeared in courts all over the southeast. I have argued cases before the Alabama Supreme Court and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. I’ve appeared in night courts in every small town in Northwest Alabama. I’ve been a small town City Court Judge. Invariably, every judge of every court prefers that people be represented by attorneys. Let’s talk about why.

Share On Facebook

Why You Shouldn’t Go to Court Alone

How Legal Representation Helps You Avoid Costly Mistakes

People representing themselves often do not understand the issue or issues that the court is to decide and can decide. People representing themselves rarely, if ever, know how to obtain testimony from the other side by asking questions. People representing themselves can lose their temper and lose their case while making the judge angry all at the same time.

Judges want to do justice while following the law. If the person before them doesn’t know and understand the law, they can’t present the law. Judges are always limited to what issues they can decide.

For example, if a police officer writes a ticket for speeding, the issue is, did the driver exceed the speed limit at the time and place in question. It could very well be that the method by which the police officer obtained the speed of the vehicle in question was not properly done, but at the end of the day, if the speed limit is 55 and the person accused says they were going 56, they might as well have pled guilty. That is the issue before that court.

huntsville injury attorney

In workers compensation, if a worker through injury can not perform the physical demands of their job or if there is a question about that, a doctor will order an FCE. An FCE will measure the ability to lift, carry, bend, squat, stoop, and kneel. The FCE will address reaching overhead. It will address pushing and pulling with the arms as well as balance. The FCE is the measure a person’s physical functional capacity over an 8-hour work-day and 40-hour week.

If a person is issued a speeding ticket and their defense is that they want to “tell on” the officer for being rude, that is not an issue before the court. The judge doesn’t have the authority to fire the police officer and won’t find you “not guilty” if you were in fact speeding because you think the officer was impolite.
The problem is that people representing themselves become frustrated when they don’t understand what the issues are and why they can’t tell their side of the story if that story doesn’t have anything to do with the issues before the court.
If you have a legal issue that’s important to you, talk to a personal injury lawyer about it before you step into the courtroom. Contact us today.
Personal Injury Attorney Tom McCutcheon Wearing A Dark Gray Suit With Red Tie Cropped At The Hip
Or Use the Form Below to Send Us an Email

Injured in an accident? Using your health insurance can increase your personal injury recovery. Learn why it’s the smart financial move.

Why Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Can Maximize Your Compensation After a car crash, you may face pain, stress, and mounting medical

Ever wonder what your personal injury case could really be worth? It's not as simple as a number on a billboard. Every

Learn how we investigate accidents, handle lawsuits, and protect your claim every step of the way. Communication is key to your case.

McCutcheon & Hamner - Florence

2210 Helton Dr, Florence, AL, USA

Open 24 Hours

Personal Injury – Florence, Alabama

Florence

McCutcheon & Hamner - Huntsville

475 Providence Main St NW, Huntsville, AL 35806

Open 24 Hours

Personal Injury- Florence, Alabama
Huntsville

McCutcheon & Hamner - Athens

117 S Maron St, Athens, AL, 35611

Open 24 Hours

Personal Injury- Athens, Alabama

Athens
Search