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Court generally begins each morning at 9:30 a.m. Please notify one of the Tipstaves upon your arrival to the Courtroom. If your are involved in a trial in Courtroom No. 7, you may communicate via our fax machine: 610-344-5596.  Counsel are expected to be punctual, familiar with the issues and legal authorities involved in their case, have witnesses and evidence ready and organized, and stand when addressing the Court. 

 

Proper attire is required of both witnesses and counsel. Witnesses may wear work clothes as long as they are neat and clean. Shorts, tank tops and undershirts are unacceptable. Hats, with the exception of religious garb, must be removed before entering the courtroom. Clothing should not be unduly revealing or otherwise distracting. It is the responsibility of counsel to advise clients and witnesses of the dress requirements. 

 

Arrange with the Court Reporter to have your exhibits marked at a time when it will not delay the proceedings, but do not ask the reporter to give up his/her break to mark your exhibits. Except where impractical, copies should be provided to all other counsel. No exhibit should be seen by the jury before it has been admitted into evidence. Counsel should not unnecessarily request to have exhibits published to the jury. 

 

It is counsels' responsibility to advise witnesses, in advance, regarding what behavior is expected in the courtroom and to assure compliance with sequestration orders. Warn witnesses not to mention matters such as insurance in a civil trial, suppressed evidence in a criminal case, and evidence precluded by motions in limine. A witness should not begin to answer a question until the complete question has been stated. On cross-examination, an attorney should not interrupt a witness's answer, except by objection. Counsel should not pose questions which are disguised speeches to the jury. Counsel should request permission before asking to have the court reporter read back a question. 

 

All objections should be directed to the court (not opposing counsel) and should contain no factual arguments. They should be posed with a brief reference to the legal principle relied upon, e.g. "Objection - Hearsay." "Objection - Lack of foundation." If further grounds are desired, the court will ask for them. If a discussion of facts is required, a side-bar should be requested. There should be no comments for the jury's benefit of "what opposing counsel is trying to do" et cetera. 

 

Attorneys and parties must stand when addressing the court. Attorneys questioning witnesses may stand at, or near, counsel table, or remain seated. When necessary to hand-up or examine an exhibit, an attorney may approach a witness without asking permission. It is expected that attorneys will promptly return to counsel table as soon as the need to deal with the exhibit is concluded. Counsel should not block opposing counsel's view of the witness or an exhibit. 

 

All conversations that do not involve the court should be conducted in a whisper and in a manner that does not disrupt or distract the proceedings. 

 

An attorney should not interrupt another attorney who is addressing the court. Attorneys may address each other in open court as long as they do so professionally, in a civil manner, and without making comments for the benefit of the jury. Abuse of the privilege will result in the requirement that all further communications be directed solely to the court. Nicknames and first names should not be used for either counsel or witnesses; exceptions can be made with regard to children. 

 

Counsel may not state or argue to the jury his or her personal opinion as to the justness of a cause, credibility of a witness, negligence of a party, or guilt or innocence of an accused. However, he or she may argue, based upon his or her analysis of the evidence, for a position or conclusion re same. (Rule 3.4(c) of Pa. Rules of Professional Conduct.) 

 

Attorneys are reminded of their professional obligation of candor toward the court. An attorney shall not make a false statement of material fact or law to the court, nor fail to disclose to the court legal authority known to the attorney to be directly adverse to the position of the client and not disclosed by opposing counsel. (Rule 3.3 of Pa. Rules of Professional Conduct.) 

 

Counsel are expected to be prepared to provide the court with relevant legal authority on all non-routine legal issues that are expected to arise during their matter.