Court and Courtrooms: Protocol and Etiquette

Many people have only seen the inside of a courtroom on television, in the movies, or in a history book.  But if you are a litigant in a civil or criminal case, the courtroom suddenly becomes a real place, with real people, with real outcomes.  Not surprisingly, people who attend court for the first or second time do so with some trepidation and fear.  In fact, attorneys who regularly practice in the courtroom will some times admit that they too share those same fears when they walk through the courthouse doors.  While it is understandable that people come to court with some hesitation, the courthouse is a place to ensure justice for all and to vindicate your rights.  Hopefully this post can help alleviate your concerns and worries.

The first thing to remember is that the Courthouse is a public place.  It is open to the public, and its function is to serve the community.  The staff members at the courthouse recognize this important function, and they treat the community members with respect and courtesy.  If you need helping finding a courtroom or filing a document, ask a staff member, and the staff member can point you in the right direction.

When attending court, it is important to take steps in preparation for your visit.  First, make sure you know the date and time of your hearing.  There are many cases and people involved in the courthouse, and the courthouse follows a set schedule of hearings.  If you appear late for court, you may forfeit your opportunity to present a case or make an argument.  Plan to appear at least 15 minutes before the scheduled court appearance.  Call the court in advance of the hearing to learn of the date and time, review the document (such as the motion, petition, pleading, or summons) that tells you the date and time of court, or go to the Court's website to find the date and time. 

As you prepare for court, make sure that your appearance is appropriate for the courtroom setting.  Although the attorneys will appear in professional suits and attire, you are not required to wear the same professional outfit.  You may, if you wish, wear a suit and tie, or a professional dress, but it is not mandatory.  On the other hand, wearing a t-shirt and shorts likely does not portray the proper respect and dignity the court deserves.  Perhaps the best advice is to wear something that is comfortable to you, but also shows the court that you are serious about the case and wish to be treated with respect.  Wearing a hat in the courtroom is not permitted.

Once in the courtroom, listen for the Judge to call the case and invite you to speak.  Some times people become anxious because they want to tell the Court every thing on their mind, and wish to do so when others are talking.  Please be patient as every person gets an equal opportunity to speak.  Because everything in the court proceeding is recorded, only one person may speak at a time.  After the Judge is finished speaking, one party will have an opportunity to speak, followed by the opposing party.  If the Court needs clarification, the Judge will likely ask follow-up questions and give you a chance to answer.

While in court, treat each opposing side with respect and dignity.  A court appearance is not an opportunity to yell and scream at an angry neighbor or former spouse.  It is a chance to present your case to the Court and to apply legal and equitable principles to each factual scenario.  You will have an opportunity to be heard in a respectful and peaceful manner.  At the end of the case, the Judge will either announce the ruling on the request, or inform the parties that a ruling will be issued in written form in the near future.   

One last reminder: turn your cell phones off when you enter the courtroom.  There is nothing more embarrassing then having a cell phone go off in the middle of a case. 

Modification of Parenting Time (Post-Decree Modification)

Once a divorce is final, people often wonder if the terms or orders of the divorce can ever be modified or changed.  A common example occurs in parenting time.  Children grow up, people move, and changes need to be made to accommodate a child's needs.  This post will describe, briefly, the steps necessary to modify parenting time.

The first step is to determine if modification of the parenting time can occur without the assistance of a court.  If the parties to the divorce agree on a modification, the parties can go forward without the need to ask the court to modify it.  This is perhaps the simplest route to modifying a parenting plan.  Most divorce decrees include a provision about modifying parts of the decree by mutual consent of the parties.  Some decrees also discuss mediation steps prior to go to court. 

A word of caution about modifying the parenting plan by mutual agreement.  Be sure that the modification is by MUTUAL agreement, and not by unilateral self-help.  In other words, a party to the divorce cannot simply modify the parenting time without notifying the other side of his or her intentions.  Self-help modifications without mutual agreement is not allowed, and a Court will not permit this practice.

If the parties cannot agree on a modification, one party may ask the Court to modify the terms of the parenting plan.  This is done by the filing of a Motion to Modify the Parenting Time, pursuant to C.R.S. 14-10-129.  In the motion, the moving party is asking the Court to modify the parenting time.  The must must include the reasons for modifying the parenting time, and most importantly, that the modification of the parenting plan is in the child's best interests.  In fact, the best interests of the children is the guiding principle the Court will focus on when ruling upon a Motion to Modify Parenting Time.

The person filing the Motion with the Court must also serve the opposing side with a copy of the Motion.  Serving the other side can be by personal service (handing the motion to the person), serving the opposing side's attorney, or by mailing it to the opposing side's last known address.  The Court wants to make sure that you have served the opposing side a copy of the Motion, and therefore it is necessary to file a Certificate of Service with the Court verifying that a copy of the Motion was delivered.

As with any motion, the Court will await a response from the opposing side.  After the opposing side responds (or fails to respond), the Court will usually require a hearing on the Motion.  This hearing occurs before a Judge, who will hear evidence to determine if modification of the parenting time is in the child's best interest.  At this hearing you have the opportunity to explain to the Court why it is in the best interest of the child to modify the parenting time.  You may call witnesses, present evidence, and argue your case to the court.  Remember, the opposing side also has an opportunity to be heard, and the opposing side has the right to question your witnesses and present a case.  At the end of the hearing, the Court will either rule on the motion at the bench, or will issue a written order a couple of days after the hearing. 

One final thought about modifications: review C.R.S. 14-10-129 very carefully.  The statute discusses specific steps necessary to modify parenting time, particularly when the modification changes the status of the custodial parent, and when one parent is moving out of state.  Also, subsection 4 of the statute discusses modifications of parenting time when a parent is alleging that the child is in danger of imminent physical or emotional danger due to the parenting time.  In such instance, the Court must hear and rule upon the motion within seven days.

Warranty of Habitability

A common issue handled by pro bono attorneys deals with Landlord-Tenant law.  In Colorado, the Landlord and Tenants owe certain duties and rights to one another.  To protect tenants from scrupulous landlord practices, Colorado has enacted a "Warranty of Habitability".  The warranty imposes certain obligations and rights upon the landlord, and provides remedies if the landlord violates these rights. 

The Warranty of Habitability can be found at C.R.S. 38-12-503.  In every rental agreement, the landlord warrants (or guarantees) that the premises is fit for human habitation.  The landlord breaches this warranty if the residence is uninhabitable or unfit for human habitation, and the condition of the premises is materially dangerous or hazardous to the tenant's life, health, or safety.  Additionally, and very importantly, the landlord will only be in violation of the warranty of habitability if the landlord has received written notice of the condition and has failed to cure the condition within a reasonable time. see C.R.S. 38-12-503(2).  

What constitutes "uninhabitable" for purposes of the Warranty of Habitability is defined by statute, and the premises is deemed "uninhabitable" only if it meets one of these statutory definitions.  The term "Uninhabitable residential premises" can be found at C.R.S. 38-12-505, and the residence must be substantially lacking any one of the following characteristics: 

• Waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls maintained in good working order, including unbroken windows and doors;
• Plumbing or gas facilities that conformed to applicable law in effect at the time of installation and that are maintained in good working order;
• Running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times furnished to appropriate fixtures and connected to a sewage disposal system approved under applicable law;
• Functioning heating facilities that conformed to applicable law at the time of installation and that are maintained in good working order;
• Electrical lighting, with wiring and electrical equipment that conformed to applicable law at the time of installation, maintained in good working order;
• Common areas and areas under the control of the landlord that are kept reasonably clean, sanitary, and free from all accumulations of debris, filth, rubbish, and garbage and that have appropriate extermination in response to the infestation of rodents or vermin; 
• Appropriate extermination in response to the infestation of rodents or vermin throughout a residential premises;
• An adequate number of appropriate exterior receptacles for garbage and rubbish, in good repair;
• Floors, stairways, and railings maintained in good repair;
• Locks on all exterior doors and locks or security devices on windows designed to be opened that are maintained in good working order; or
• Compliance with all applicable building, housing, and health codes, which, if violated, would constitute a condition that is dangerous or hazardous to a tenant's life, health, or safety.