With nearly 60 judges and their accompanying judicial assistants, the Fourth Judicial Circuit can be daunting for new lawyers to navigate.
The Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association developed “Afternoon at the Courthouse” to help new Jacksonville lawyers familiarize themselves with judges, procedures and policies of the Fourth Circuit.
The latest program took place last Tuesday at the Duval County Courthouse with about 20 new attorneys attending.
“If you present yourself as a professional, you will be treated as a professional,” said Judge Frederick Tygart, who spoke about practicing with integrity and professionalism.
The comment referred to a range of issues, including proper attire for the courtroom; interaction with judges, judicial assistants and opposing counsel; and scheduling.
“Always introduce yourself and your client when you appear in court,” said Tygart. “So many attorneys appear before us on a regular basis that it is difficult to remember all of the names.”
Judges Charles Arnold, Jack Schemer and Angela Cox performed a mock hearing that displayed improper behavior.
Arnold presided over the fictional case and Schemer and Cox were opposing counsel.
Cox’s character was late for the hearing and, while waiting for Cox to arrive, Schemer asked about Arnold’s fictitious judicial campaign and if he needed a contribution to his campaign fund.
Cox arrived wearing flip-flops and, in the middle of her explanation for being late, took a call on her cell phone and ordered lunch.
During the proceeding, Schemer provided Arnold with three D-ring binders that included motions he wanted to introduce to the court.
“Don’t come into the courtroom with the idea that you are going to outdo the other side by handing in something the morning of the hearing,” Arnold said after the skit.
“When you have something you want to introduce, make sure you have enough time prior to the hearing. Judges aren’t going to rule until they are well-informed on the case,” he said.
Throughout the skit, Cox and Schemer also argued with each other.
“You just don’t do it,” said Arnold, when asked how he handles attorneys who argue with each other instead of addressing the court.
“The rules of the court say that you argue to me, not to each other. If it happens, you ask the judge for the opportunity to respond and the judge will determine if it is necessary. We have ways to deal with that behavior,” he said.
Those who attended also received tips from the “most important people in the courthouse” for attorneys, according to Arnold, the judicial assistants.
Lynn Davis, Sharon Shoup and Linda Stone presented “Proper Protocol and Helpful Hints for Interacting with Judges and their Assistants.”
“If there is a question about anything, please call us,” said Shoup, judicial assistant to Judge Harold Arnold.
“If the judge allows the use of cell phones or iPads in the courtroom, make sure you use them for the case before the court and not Twittering or surfing the Internet,” said Davis, judicial assistant to Judge Virginia Norton.
Attendees also received presentations on the history and future of the Duval County
Courthouse, hints for scheduling and interacting with court reporters, a tour of the current Duval County Courthouse and a reception at The Ivy Ultra Bar.
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