A judge and prosecutor will be making decisions about you and your case that will affect you for the rest of your life. A conviction on your record often times is permanent and will affect your ability to do many things. It is absolutely important that you prepare yourself for your court appearance.

Make transportation arrangements before the day of court and if the person who promises to take you to court is not reliable, have a back-up plan. Secure money for the bus ride before the day of court if necessary. Make arrangements to have someone watch small children for you so that you don't have to take them to court. Your court appearance could take all day. Nothing will keep a child's interest for that length of time in court. The distraction and stress that children innocently bring to the process only makes you and your lawyer less effective. Additionally, the courts will not allow children under 6 in the courtroom.

Many of our clients call the morning they are scheduled for court and tell our receptionist they can't be in court that day. Neither the lawyers in this office nor the receptionist has the authority to continue cases. Only the judge can reschedule a case from one docket to another. All our receptionist can do is take your message and pass it on to your attorney, who will advise the court that you are not going to appear in court as ordered by the judge. If the judge feels that your failure to appear could have been avoided, he or she could issue a capias for your immediate arrest, set a new and additional bond and have you arrested.

The court recognizes that there are legitimate reasons for not being able to appear in court. Unfortunately, people all too often use excuses that are not legitimate.

When you know that you will not be able to appear in court, contact your attorney immediately. Provide him or her with as much information as possible such as the doctor's name, address and phone number. The attorney will try to verify that the problem is legitimate and will try to go to court before the day you are scheduled to appear and attempt to get your case rescheduled. Simply telling a judge that "my client called and can't be in court today because he had car trouble or because she is sick," will not get your case rescheduled.

Court begins each morning at 9:00 a.m. However, you need to arrive well before that time. Parking at or around the City/County Building garage can be difficult. There is parking at the City/County Building but that parking lot begins to fill to capacity by 8:30 a.m. If you arrive at 8:45 a.m., often that garage will be full and you will have to go elsewhere to find a place to park.

Outside of all the courtrooms there are metal detectors that everyone must pass through in order to enter the courtroom. This process takes time. If you do not allow yourself sufficient time for this process, you may still be outside passing through security when the judge is inside calling your case. Please do not bring to court any weapons, beepers, drugs, alcohol or anything that could be fashioned as a weapon. Pocket knives will be confiscated as will any and all drugs, and warrants may be issued for your arrest for carrying these things. I strongly recommend that you leave prescription drugs at home. Passing through security with prescription drugs can lead to significant problems.

Appearing for court on time, appropriately dressed and conducting yourself appropriately are extremely important. Shorts, T-shirts, hats, tennis shoes, excessive jewelry may communicate a message to the court that doesn't accurately portray who you are. It may communicate disrespect for the court and may cause a judge to view you in a bad light. Many decisions are made each day in Sessions Court that have a lasting impact on people's lives. Sometimes those decision-makers have very little information available to them. Right or wrong, people are judged by their appearance, and how appropriately dressed you are may influence the prosecutor's offer to resolve your case. It is in your best interest to communicate a positive message when you go to court.

There have been occasions when clients have appeared in court with alcohol on their breath. Please, if you must appear in court, be mindful that what you do the night before will affect the way you look and smell the next day. It will be noticed and it will impact the resolution of your case.

SESSIONS COURT

The first courtroom is Sessions Court, felony division. It is labeled Sessions Court, Division III.

The next courtroom is Criminal Court, Division III, not a Sessions courtroom.

Next to the Criminal Courtroom is Sessions Court, Division II where all DUI cases are heard.

The last courtroom is Sessions Court, Division I, where all misdemeanor cases are heard.

CRIMINAL COURT

There are three separate Criminal Courts: Criminal Court, Divisions I, II, and III.

Criminal Court, Division III, is on level M between the General Sessions Court courtrooms. There is a sign on the outside wall, Criminal Court, Division III.

Criminal Courts, Divisions I and II, are on the second floor right above the general Sessions Courts. The elevators in the City/County Building can be confusing. The designation "II" is where the sheriff's office and the computer center are located. The designation "I" is the floor where the Criminal Courts are located. The Criminal Courts on the first floor are labeled Criminal Court, Division I, and Criminal Court, Division II.

The Criminal Court Clerk's office is on the same floor as Criminal Court Divisions I and II. The Clerk's office is at the end of the hall beside Criminal Court, Division I. The Criminal Court Clerk is Ms. Martha Phillips. Her mailing address is City/County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Her telephone number is 215-2492.

What happens to you in court depends on many things including the quality of pretrial preparation performed by your lawyer. However, good pretrial preparation can go to waste by your failure to contribute to the process in a meaningful way. You and your lawyer must act as a team. You must assist the process all you can.