It’s completely normal to get nervous when the stakes are high, and there are few places in the world where the stakes are as high as a courtroom. Even if you’re not on trial for capital murder, your finances, your reputation and even you freedom may be on the line, and that’s enough to make anyone nervous. If you’re not careful, these nerves can also make it harder for you to present a good case in court. With that in mind, we wanted to use today’s blog to share some tips on how you can effectively manage your nerves before or during your court appearance.
Calming Your Nerves In Court
It pays to be calm and relaxed during your court appearance, but that’s easier said than done. Here are some tips for helping to calm your nerves ahead of court.
Hire a lawyer – One of the best things you can do for your nerves and for the eventual outcome of your case is to hire a lawyer. A lawyer will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your case is in good hands. They can also do almost all of the speaking in court in the event public speaking is driving your anxiety. You don’t need to worry if you’re doing something incorrectly during the course of your case if you trust a professional to handle all the important aspects.
Give yourself plenty of time – it’s never a good look to show up to court late, even if the bus was running late or you hit unexpected traffic. If you’re late and flustered, it’s only going to increase your nerves. Give yourself more than enough time to get to court before your scheduled appearance.
Take a breath – if you end up representing yourself at trial or end up on the receiving line of questioning, take a moment to compose yourself before responding to any questions. We understand that you want to tell your story, but rushing to answer or rambling on won’t do anything to help your case. Oftentimes it’s nerves and anxiety that are driving these rushed answers. Instead, take a moment after the question has been asked to take a deep breath and collect your thoughts before offering a more composed answer.
Bring a buddy – Many people find it helpful and calming to have an ally in the courtroom with them outside of their hired counsel. See if a spouse, parent or friend is willing to come to court with you on the day of trial. They can help to keep you calm before your case is called, and they can simply be there for you as it all plays out, which can help calm your nerves.
Be prepared – Regardless of whether you’re representing yourself or you have a lawyer on your side, you can help prevent nervousness and anxiousness by preparing for court. Similar to an exam in school, if you are prepared and ready to answer any questions that may be asked, you’ll find that you’re more relaxed on the day of trial. Don’t be afraid to practice what you’re going to say to the judge if you’re representing yourself, and if you have a lawyer, ask if there are ways you can prepare yourself for court.
If you do all of these things and you trust your criminal case to Avery and the team and Appelman Law Firm, we’re confident that you won’t be as stressed during your court appearance. For more information, or to talk to a lawyer during one of our free case consultations, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
