Please make sure all students, teachers, parents and observers read the following:
1. No Smoking - All courthouses are non smoking facilities.
2. Entry & Exit - All doors are alarmed. Everyone must enter and exit from the main doors off of 1st street where the metal detectors are. Do not go through any other doors. Once inside the courthouse you will not be allowed to exit and then reenter except in case of emergency.
2. Security - Everyone will be required to go through the metal detectors. To make this efficient as possible please follow the following guidelines:
- No food, gum, or drinks are allowed in the courthouse. (The only exception will be clear water bottles. If water bottles are left anywhere in the courtrooms during the tournament, they will not be allowed again.)
- No sharp objects, nail clippers, mace, pocket knifes, or anything that may be deemed dangerous. If it isn't allowed at school, it isn't allowed in the courthouse. Hair spray, sprayable perfume or anything in a spray bottle is also not allowed. You will not be allowed to leave a prohibited item with the deputies but will have to take it back to your car.
- Please have EVERYTHING out of your pockets before you reach the metal detectors. Also, please remove belts and other items with metal.
- Earrings and jewelry are fine to leave on.
- Only bring in what you really need. Please leave all backpacks and other non necessary school items in your car or at home. This will really speed up getting through security.
- Please pay attention and follow the directions of the Sheriff's deputies and other volunteers. Please be polite and courteous to the deputies.
- Arrive at your appointed time. This will help prevent a back up at security.
4. Check In - All students should first go to the Jury room which is to your left after you pass security. Please have one coach check in and to receive your department assignment. You will not be allowed to go up to your department until at least 5:30 p.m.
5. Elevators - The courthouse is old and so are the elevators. Do not crowd the elevators. You will not be left behind. Your trial will not start without you. If they buzz allow the doors to shut immediately.
6. Stairwells & Basement - Do not use them! No one is allowed in the stairwells or the basement at any time except in case of emergency. Do not open stairwell doors as many of them are alarmed. Any school whose students are found in the stairwells (and particularly the basement) will be subject to immediate disqualification.
7. Parking - Do not park in any spot marked "reserved." Parking is available in the Juror parking lot after 5 pm.
8. Picking students up - Coaches, please do not leave until you have made sure all of your students have a way home. Parents, please make sure you pick your kids up in a timely fashion. The deputies and tournament administrator cannot leave until all students are picked up.
9. Courtrooms - Most importantly - Please remember that these are working courtrooms. DO NOT adjust any chairs, do not touch anything or move anything on the desks, do not eat anything left on the desks, do not open any drawers. If in doubt don't! Please also make sure that you pick up any trash or litter before leaving the courtroom regardless of whether it is yours or not. The Bailiffs are going to be held responsible for the condition of the courtroom. This means, you should not sign the bailiff statement that the courtroom is clean until everyone is out of the courtroom and you have actually checked that it is in the same condition as when you arrived. Also, no one is to be in the judges chambers or jury rooms.
10. Videotaping - If both teams agree and if allowed by the presiding judge videotaping is allowed. There may be some instances where because of an ongoing trial in the courtroom videotaping will not be allowed.
11. Appropriate dress - Part of the great experience of Mock Trial is that it takes place in real courtrooms with real judges. This also means that everyone should dress appropriately, including coaches, friends and parents. Jeans are fine provided they aren't ripped. Student attorneys and witnesses should however be dressed more formally. We have had problems in years past of inappropriate attire being worn by fellow classmates and occasionally some parents. Anyone who is inappropriately dressed will be asked to cover up or they will have the honor of sitting in the jury assembly room with the tournament administrator until their team is finished for the evening. As a general guideline the following should not be visible: bra straps, belly buttons, underwear/boxers.
If you have any questions regarding the following please contact Angela Storey at astorey@scottystorey.com