Navigating the Courthouse
How can the Defendant check their court date and time?
Court website
County Clerk
Public Defender/Defense Attorney
How should a defendant dress in court?
Men: Clean clothes, dress pants, shoes, button-up shirt
Women: Clean clothes, dress pants, blouse, shoes.
The body's response to a change, threat, or demand.
What is anger?
As strong feeling of annoyance, hostility, and displeasure
What are relaxation techniques?
Techniques to help a person calm down when feeling stress/anger
What is the Security Screen Station?
An x-ray and metal wand that checks for items that are not allowed. People will empty their pockets and place items into a bin.
How should the defendant behave in court?
Quietly, respectful, arrive on time, respect the court property
What are the 4 causes of stress?
Change, obstruction, deadline, and demand
What are the three anger behaviors?
Aggressive behavior, passive-aggressive behavior, assertive behavior
What are some things a person can do when they are feeling stress/anger?
Take a time out/break
Go on a walk
Take a deep breathe
Play with a pet
Talk to a friend
How can the Defendant find their courtroom?
They can check the directory or ask a bailiff
What should the Defendant bring to court?
Water, paper, pen, their summons/minute order
What is Eustress?
Good stress
What are the 3 negative anger reactions?
Angry outburst
Out of control behavior
Suppressed anger
What is mindfulness?
Focusing on the present moment, and not the future or the past
What time should the Defendant arrive for their court hearing? Are there scheduled times?
There are no scheduled times
If the Defendant has court in the morning, they should arrive at 8am. If their hearing is in the afternoon, they should arrive right after lunch at noon.
What should the Defendant not bring to court?
What is Distress?
Bad stress
What are the 5 factors to determine if a person has an anger problem?
Reaction
Retention
Intensity
Frequency
Trigger
What is imagery?
Visualizing a peaceful place, like a park, beach, mountains
What does the Defendant do if they need a recess?
Whisper or write a note to their public defender, so they can tell the judge they need a recess
How should the Defendant talk inside the Courthouse? And who can they talk to in the courtroom?
Speak softly and do not repeat inside the courthouse.
The Defendant can talk to their Public Defender/Defense Attorney.
What 3 things can happen to a person who experiences stress?
Health problems, disturbed sleep, alcohol/drug use, depression, isolation
What are the consequences of anger?
Affects health, relationships, work, and legal issues
What is box-breathing?
breathing in for 4 seconds and breathing out for 4 seconds