Rule 10: General Rules of Court Decorum and Safety
10.1 No person shall be permitted in the working area of Court staff, Court security
officers or probation officers unless so authorized by the Administrative Judge,
except those city employees whose duties require their presence therein.
Furthermore, no persons shall be allowed into judges chambers unless they have
first been authorized to be admitted by a judge or by personnel who office in judge’s
chambers. Judge’s chambers include all offices and conference rooms located
behind the security door on the 2nd floor, southwest corner, of the Court facility.
10.2 Law enforcement officers shall be subject to the rules enumerated in rule 10.1 and
shall further be subject to the following rules:
- A. Law enforcement officers who are witnesses in Court shall be quietly seated in
such place(s) as may be permitted or designated by the Court.
- B. Inquiries by law enforcement officers respecting those cases pending on the
current day’s dockets in which they are scheduled witnesses shall be made to
the Prosecutor or Court staff prior to the commencement of the docket call
therein, or following the final disposition of such docket, or at such time the
Court is not in session. Such inquiries by law enforcement officers are not to be
directed to the courtroom docket clerks or Prosecutors while Court is in session.
10.3 No weapons are permitted in Court except as carried or possessed by law
enforcement officers, Court security staff, or as needed for evidence in Court, without
the permission of the Court. The Court may require that any firearm intended for
introduction as an exhibit be presented to security staff for a safety check prior to its
being brought into the Courthouse.
10.4 All persons not identifiable as employees in the Municipal Court, the Court Clerk’s
Office, the Probation Office, the City Attorney’s Office, Court Appointed Counsel, and
who are not wearing a uniform and identifiable as Topeka Police Officers, or
otherwise wearing or displaying a City of Topeka photo identification card
designating such person as a Court official, and who wish to conduct business with
the Municipal Court, are subject to a metal detector scan and a personal search,
including, but not limited to an x-ray scan of his/her personal belongings before such
entry is permitted. Such search may include briefcases, parcels, purses or other
containers carried by persons seeking entry.
Any items brought to the Topeka Municipal Court which might be construed as
contraband pursuant to local, state and/or federal law may be confiscated and
ordered destroyed by the Administrative Judge. Moreover, those found to be in
possession of such items may be arrested and charged with violations of City
ordinance by security staff.
10.5 All persons who wish to do business in Municipal Court will conduct themselves in a
manner consistent with and appropriate to the operation of a court of law. All
persons in or near any Courtroom or any of the office areas of the Court staff,
probation staff or Court security personnel will conduct their conversations and other
activities in such a manner as not to disrupt the business and operation of the
Municipal Court, the Judges, the Municipal Court staff and personnel. Any
misconduct may be punishable by contempt of Court or other appropriate sanctions
by the Court.
10.6 Persons bringing children to the Municipal Court offices will keep such children within
adult supervision and reasonably quiet so as not to disrupt the business and
operations of the Court, the Judges, the Municipal Court staff and Court personnel.
Children are not permitted in Courtrooms unless specific permission is granted by a
judge.
10.7 While Court is in session the Court security officer shall protect the Judge and Court
staff from non-court personnel who may attempt to approach the bench, clerk station,
witness stand, or attorney tables except as otherwise directed or permitted by the
Judge, the Clerk, or by the attorneys involved in such person’s case before the
Court.
10.8 All personal or portable telephones, audible pagers and other electronic devises
brought into a Courtroom shall be turned off while Court is in session. Any audible
electronic equipment creating noise in the Courtroom, which is not authorized by the
Court, is subject to confiscation, and the person who possessed such item may be
subject to contempt of court or other appropriate sanctions by the Court.
10.9 All persons attending Court are expected to be dressed appropriately for the dignity
and decorum of a court proceeding. All persons attending Court should wear, at a
minimum, a shirt (or blouse, sweater, etc.), pants or skirt, and shoes. Shorts, tank
tops and swimwear are not appropriate attire for Court proceedings. Hats and head
wear shall be removed in the Courtroom. Persons dressed inappropriately may be
required to exit the Courtroom and may be subject to contempt citations. Moreover,
anyone ordered to exit the Court due to inappropriate attire may be required to post a
cash bond of no less than $50.00 and acquire a new court setting.
The conduct and demeanor of attorneys when present during any Court proceeding
shall reflect respect for the dignity and authority of the Court. The proceedings
conducted in Court shall be maintained by the Court as an objective search for the
applicable facts and the correct principles of law. Attorneys should be dressed
appropriately for the decorum of a courtroom proceeding. No shorts or jeans are
permitted. Attorneys shall be seated in the Courtroom gallery until their case is
called.
10.10 Food and drink will not be brought into the Courtroom except upon the express
permission of the Judge. Spectators will not be permitted to engage in any activity
which interferes with Court proceedings.
10.11 No spectator, counsel or party attending a Court proceeding shall carry a sign or
display pins, buttons or other materials, which is designed to communicate a position
or message to others while Court is in session.
10.12 Attorneys and pro se litigants shall rise when addressing the Court, and shall make
all statements to the Court from the counsel table or the lectern facing the Court.
They shall not approach the bench, except with the permission of the Judge. Unless
the Judge specifically prescribes otherwise, an attorney must stand when
questioning a witness and should refrain from moving about except as may be
necessary for the presentation of exhibits or other assistance to the Court.
10.13 While questioning witnesses, attorneys or pro se litigants shall stand at the counsel
table or at the lectern. They shall not approach the witness unless permitted by the
Judge. Only one attorney for each party may participate in the examination or crossexamination
of a witness.
10.14 Pro se defendants should be prepared to present their cases in a proper manner. It
is not the Court’s duty or responsibility to represent or instruct the pro se defendant
on court procedure, evidence, rules, or how to defend a case.
Steve Eberts: Administrative Judge |
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