Thursday, January 24, 2008

Know the Local Rules - Go Into Court Prepared


From "My Cousin Vinny" (courtesy Internet Movie Database):

Judge Chamberlain Haller: What are you wearing?

Vinny Gambini: [wearing a leather jacket] Um, I'm wearing clothes. [Judge stares ominously]

Vinny Gambini: I... I don't get the question.

Judge Chamberlain Haller: When you come into my court looking like you do, you not only insult me, but you insult the integrity of this court.
Vinny Gambini: I apologize, sir, but, uh... this is how I dress.

Judge Chamberlain Haller: The next time you appear in my court, you will look lawyerly. And I mean you comb your hair, and wear a suit and tie. And that suit had better be made out of some sort of... cloth. You understand me?

Vinny Gambini: Uh yes. Fine, Judge, fine.

Apparently, Judge Haller's court had local rules dealing with a lawyer's attire. Apparently, Cousin Vinny didn't check those local rules before going into court. If Cousin Vinny practiced in Kentucky, he could have avoided such an embarrassing moment by going online or making a call.

All trial courts in Kentucky have their local rules of practice which govern issues ranging from pleading requirements, the times for motion hours to lawyer appearance. The Kentucky Court of Justice makes them available online for free. Cousin Vinny could have accessed a court's local by clicking here or on the link to the right. Cousin Vinny could have also called the Circuit Clerk's office for the Court and requested a copy. Finally, Cousin Vinny could have called a local lawyer and asked for a copy.

Cousin Vinny would have been prepared and avoided embarrassment if he bothered to look up the local rules. And now, having read this post, you can avoid such an embarrassing moment by knowing how to do it for your case.

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