Dress & Conduct Code
Order No. 2025-4
Conduct Required of All Attorneys and Pro Se Defendants (PDF)
Judicial Order No. 2025-3
Conduct required of all persons attending court, including courtroom waiting areas
Court is in session whenever the Judge is on the bench. All persons, whether lawyers, parties, witnesses, jurors or spectators, conducting business, participating in trials, or otherwise attending proceedings in the courtroom of Farmers Branch Municipal Court shall be dressed and conduct themselves appropriately. The following dress code and conduct shall be enforced at all times:
Attire
- No inappropriate attire, including but not limited to shorts (unless it is a work uniform), halter tops, tank tops, flip flops, jeans with holes or cut-outs, low pants with underwear showing, pajamas, robes, inappropriate "message" shirts or any other type of lewd and/or offensive clothing
- No sunglasses, hats, or head coverings shall be worn in the courtroom, unless the item is of a religious nature or for medical reasons
- No gum/food/drink shall be consumed or brought into the courtroom without permission from the Judge
- No smoking or use of tobacco products, including snuff or chewing tobacco
Prohibited Conduct
- No cellular phones are to be used in the courtroom. All cell phones must be turned off or put in silence mode prior to entrance into the courtroom. Electronic tablets or laptop computers may not be used in the courtroom, except by attorneys, their staff and pro se Defendants, while handling a case or docket. Any device which rings or otherwise makes noise will be taken by the Bailiff and not returned until the conclusion of the court proceeding
- No recording devices, including photo or electro-mechanical means of recordation or transmission of court proceedings or those present is permitted in the courtroom without permission from the Judge. This also applies to jury deliberations
- No standing in the courtroom except by the direction of the Judge or when necessitated by the business of the Court
- No profane or offensive language, gestures, facial expressions or sounds indicating approval or disapproval of a ruling by the court or a comment on testimony of a witness
- No reading of any materials, other than court documents, including books, magazines or newspapers and any electronic forms of such materials
- No propping feet or sitting on tables, railings or the backs of benches or chairs
- No loud noises. Any children brought into the courtroom must be quiet or they must be removed from the courtroom
- No weapons. Only a peace officer on duty shall possess a weapon in the courtroom. Others may be allowed to possess a weapon in the courtroom with the permission of the Judge
- No documents will be accepted when produced on a cell phone. If you want the Judge to consider any type of documentation, it must be in paper form
- The Judge shall have the discretion to have any object removed from the courtroom
The court bailiff will enforce attire and conduct under the authority of the presiding Judge. Parties not conforming to these standards will be removed from the courtroom and required to post a bond for a new court date.
Signed and approved on April 1, 2025
Shannon K. Willis, Presiding Judge
Virtual courtrooms are no different from courtrooms inside a courthouse. All attire and conduct that apply at the courthouse apply online. Please see below for attire and conduct policies for appearing virtually.
Attire
All persons present in the courtroom shall be clean and neat and dressed in a manner that shows dignity and respect for the court.
Appropriate Attire
- No clothing with offensive language or pictures
- No hats
- No pajamas
Conduct
Appropriate Conduct
- You need video to use the virtual court. Turn on your camera when it is your turn to see the judge if it is not turned on. If you cannot access a webcam or camera for a Zoom hearing, contact the court for alternatives.
- Be punctual – if you are late, you will not be checked in from the waiting room.
- Do not connect and talk to the judge while operating a vehicle. Pull over and stop if you are in a vehicle.
- Rename your profile name with your first and last name.
- Sit upright and pay attention. Do not walk around while attempting to talk to the judge, as this can make it difficult to hear and distract other participants.
- Stay on mute until it is your turn to speak to the judge or a clerk who is asking you questions.
- No profane or offensive language.
- Email the Municipal Court any proof of insurance, driver's safety documents, registration) you may want to show the judge while you wait so it can be prepared when it is your turn.
The meeting hosts will enforce attire and conduct in the Zoom room under the authority of the presiding judge. Failure to conform to these standards will result in removal from the Zoom room. Violators will not receive credit for appearing, and a warrant can be issued for their arrest. The court reserves the right to change or amend these rules at any time.