Judges crack down on inappropriate clothes in court

[Liberal_in_LA]

Judges crack down on inappropriate clothes in court

By J.L. Miller, The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal

If you're headed to traffic court in Bakersfield, Calif., better leave the flip-flops at home.
Have a court appearance in district court in Inkster, Mich.? Jeans are on the not-to-wear list.

And don't even think of wearing short shorts to court in Dover, Del.

Judges in those jurisdictions and others across the USA are cracking down on skimpy, sloppy or what they consider inappropriate attire in an effort to maintain decorum and beef up security.

A Delaware provision that bars skirts shorter than 4 inches above the knee when standing "sounds like Catholic school," says Timothy Fautsko, who advises courts on security issues for the National Center for State Courts. But, he says, the dress codes serve a purpose.

"I think it maintains order in the courtroom," he says.

Fautsko says some people seem determined to push the fashion envelope.

"I had a report of one court that had an individual keep coming into court dressed like a clown," he says. "Again, that pushes the dignity of the court."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-16-court-dress-code_N.htm?csp=24