Rules of the Court

(A) Court Security. All persons entering the Court or lobby area must pass through the security gate checkpoint and are subject to screening by a metal detector. Under no circumstances are weapons or potential weapons allowed in the Court building, which includes the entire building occupied by the Court and all waiting areas and courtrooms. All persons shall follow the directions of the Lakewood Municipal Court Security or the Lakewood Police Department Personnel in the event of an emergency or security incident.

(B) Court Decorum. All persons at the Court shall conduct themselves with decorum and in a manner not to interfere with the proper administration of the Court’s business. Although the Court is open to the public, persons attending any Court session who are not parties or called as witnesses may not make any statements unless permitted by the Court and identified on the record. Upon the entering of any Court session, all persons in the courtroom shall stand except for those physically unable to do so.

(C) Appearance and Dress. All persons appearing before the Court shall, to the extent practicable, appear in appropriate and clean dress.

(D) Cell Phones. All cell phones are to be turned off or silenced in the courtroom and the use of cell phones is not permitted in the courtroom when the Court is in session. In the event a person needs to make or take a call, the person is required to leave the courtroom unless otherwise permitted by the Court. Tablets, laptop computers, notebooks, cell phones, and other electronic devices may not be used in the courtroom except as a research aid or tool during a hearing or trial.

(E) Food and Beverages. No smoking, eating, or drinking is permitted in the courtroom. No one is permitted to bring food or drink into the courtroom unless permitted by the Court. Attorneys and litigants may have water at the trial table. Witnesses may be provided with water when necessary. Jurors may have water in the jury box during the trial. The Judge, Magistrate, and Court staff may have water in the courtroom as needed.

(F) Loitering. No person shall loiter or behave in an unseemly or disorderly manner in the courtroom or any hall, entryway, or stairway, or otherwise interfere with or obstruct judicial activities or proceedings.

(G) Contempt. Failure to comply with any aspect of this rule may result in appropriate sanction by the Court, including continuance or dismissal of the matter before the Court, confiscation of cell phones pending the conclusion of Court proceedings, or a charge of contempt of court.