Rule 3 - Dress Code and Court Decorum3.1 Attorneys are required to appear in court during all sessions in appropriate business attire. Casual dress is prohibited. See Rule 12 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts.3.2 Attorneys SHALL refrain from wearing or displaying any political or campaign buttons, lapel stickers, patches, pins or like displays of support for any political candidate, political party, or political organization while in any courtroom. Such items are inconsistent with the administration of justice and may demonstrate an appearance of impropriety and/or favoritism.3.3 Attorneys are NOT allowed to bring food inside the courtroom and/or inside the Bar. Exceptions and extenuating circumstances are to be approved by the presiding judge.3.4 Attorneys are required to maintain the highest level of professionalism while in the courthouse or courtrooms.3.5 An attorney's North Carolina State Bar certified paralegal is hereby allowed inside the bar to assist an attorney in handling matters before the court, however, other non-certified office staff and noncertified legal assistants are NOT allowed inside the bar while the attorneys are waiting in court or conducting business in court. Any exception shall be approved by the presiding district court judge.3.6 An attorney should discourage his/her clients from bringing cell phones into the courtroom and the use of cell phones by non-lawyers is strictly prohibited unless being used to present evidence with permission of the presiding judge. Attorneys should silence their cell phones and use their cell phones under limited circumstances while in court. Under no circumstances, should an attorney, video, audio record, take photographs, or use a cell phone for any unlawful purpose while in court. Any unauthorized use by an attorney or their client may be punishable by contempt. Any request to record a proceeding in Court, MUST be approved by the presiding district court judge pursuant to Rule 15 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts.3.7 Court personnel and non-lawyer court officers (clerks, probation officers, state agents, mediators, etc.), are to be dressed in proper business attire that complies with their agency's directives and policies.3.8 Private witnesses for the State and/or for the defendant, are NOT allowed to sit inside the bar prior to the calling of their case for trial. This may give the appearance of impropriety and appear to give one side an unfair advantage. This doesn't include Court staff, court officers, law enforcement officers, probation officers etc. Any exception or accommodation MUST be approved by the presiding district court judge.3.9 Non-Attorney advocates are not allowed inside the bar, except upon specific authorization of the presiding judge.3.10 Shorts, mid drifts, tank tops, or any attire that exposes the chest, abdominal area, undergarments, or bare skin around the hip area or buttocks are prohibited in the courtroom. Hats/Head Coverings on men are prohibited, unless said hats/head coverings are associated with religious beliefs or verified medical reasons, are prohibited in the courtroom. Anyone that is inappropriately dressed will be ordered to leave the courtroom and their matter will NOT be addressed until they appear in appropriate attire, unless otherwise handled by the presiding judge based on extraordinary circumstances. Attorneys should advise their clients of this dress code policy to avoid any unnecessary delay or potential criminal process.3.11 The Policies of this section are enforceable by the Court's Contempt Powers.N.C. R. Prac. Sup. & Dist. Ct. Civ. P. 3
Amended effective 1/5/2023.