The following are the rules and policies governing the family law division of the Monroe County Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court. Read them carefully. All parties are expected to know and obey these rules.
Dress Appropriately. Court business is very important. Shorts, tank or halter tops, undershirts, sunglasses and hats are forbidden. The judges have the authority to ban persons not appropriately dressed from participating in the proceedings.
Cell phones & Pagers. Cell phones and pagers should be left at home and not brought to the courthouse. The use of cell phones and/or pagers in the courtroom is strictly prohibited.
Speaking. A court proceeding is not a free-for-all where people can say whatever they want whenever they feel like it. Parties do not speak unless they are directed by the judge or lawyer to speak, then speak only to the judge or lawyer. A party never speaks directly to the other spouse in court. Interruptions, sarcasm, insults, and unresponsiveness answers will not be tolerated. Do not start arguments with or threaten anyone. The judge has the authority to hold you in contempt of court or expel anyone from the courtroom who hinders the orderly conduct of business.
Disruptive Behavior. While it is expected that the parties may be upset when they come to court, they are expected to keep their anger and other offensive behavior under control.