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Published: Monday, July 30, 2007

By LINDA M. LINONIS

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By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

There's no court of appeals if you're dressed inappropriately when appearing before a judge.

Flip-flops, sandals, ball caps, blue jeans, midriff tops, shorts and T-shirts work as beach wear, gardening attire or casual clothes. But some people wear such apparel to court — or try to.

Some courts post guidelines; some may use the words "dress appropriately" in hearing notices.

Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen A. Cronin, who was a judge for 13 years before her retirement July 1, said there is no written dress code, noting that attorneys advise clients about "appropriate dress."

What's "appropriate" is the crux of the matter.

Judge Cronin gave the example of an attractive young woman in a pink halter top and pink stilettos. Her matching pink capris and purse were "OK." The judge asked the woman, "do you think you're dressed appropriately?" to which the woman replied, "I thought so." The judge told her that the halter top was unacceptable and sent her home. The woman, who reappeared a short time later in an acceptable pink shirt, told the judge she had run across town and bought it.

Judge Cronin admitted men have an edge over women. "A man can put on a golf shirt and khakis and look fine," she said. "A woman has more body parts to expose." Unfortunately, sometimes those parts are out there. "No stomach or breasts should be showing," Judge Cronin said.

The worst outfit ever

Judge Cronin recalled an incident last summer of the "worst outfit" she had ever seen. "An overweight, voluptuous woman had on a tube top with fur on the top, no bra ... and short shorts and flip-flops," Judge Cronin said. When the judge told the woman she was not attired appropriately, the woman retorted, "Maybe I'm just hot."

The exchange escalated, and the judge found the woman in contempt. That's the only time that happened.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, also of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, said there is "no formal policy. I expect people to dress like they're going to church, a wedding or a funeral," said the judge, who has been on the bench 17 years.

"If they're appearing before me for the first time and not dressed appropriately, I advise them to look around the courtroom and see how they should be dressed," he said, referring to lawyers, court staff and jurors. "Women should not wear revealing clothes ... halter tops," he said.

One judge's opinion

Judge Krichbaum said in some criminal cases when the defendant has been dressed inappropriately, he has had that person removed from the courtroom and dressed in orange jail coveralls provided by the county.

"People have to pay attention to what is going on. This isn't a casual stop on the way to somewhere else," he said.

The judge, who also was a bailiff for four years and practicing lawyer for 12 years, said he was dismayed with how people appear in front of the person who's deciding their future.

"I expect people to know better," Judge Krichbaum said. "They need to dress and act appropriately. Lawyers are wise to this. Some make yeoman's efforts [with their clients] and it doesn't work."

The judge said he takes into consideration people's circumstances. If they're destitute, he said, "They might be wearing the best they have."

Judge Krichbaum said it's important to maintain the "dignity, decorum and pomp and circumstance" of the court. What people wear shows respect — or lack of it — for the proceedings. "It's dressing for the occasion," he said.

Judge Krichbaum offered this advice: "Pretend you're trying to impress someone ... like you're on a job interview."

A trip to court

During a recent stop at the Mahoning County Courthouse, people there for various proceedings commented on attire. Among comments, almost asides, were: "I don't want to get into any more trouble" and "Who cares what I'm wearing?" Others offered comments but not their names.

"I think people should be dressed appropriately for the setting. I still like three-piece suits," said a 40ish woman dressed in a matching shirt and slacks outfit.

A man, in his 20s, dressed in a plaid cotton shirt and jeans, said, "I think casual clothes are OK. You should be presentable."

Another man, in his 40s and dressed in a light-colored summer suit, noted, "You have to dress for court."

"What's appropriate to one person might not be to another," said another 20-something man in a T-shirt and jeans.

A recent stop at Campbell municipal court found about 20 people there. Only one woman, who looked to be in her 60s, was attired in dress slacks and a matching top with dress sandals. A 50ish man wore a blue and white cotton shirt and neat blue jeans.

The others? Some women had on off-the-shoulder blouses and midriff tops worn with capris and shorts and flip-flops or sandals.

One slightly overweight woman in a midriff top showed off body art on her lower back. A young man wore neat blue jeans but his T-shirt advertised a home improvement company.

One 20ish woman had on an ill-fitting tube top and blue jeans. An orange purse and matching three-inch heels completed the look.

Seen it all

Mary Muntean, Campbell clerk of courts for 22 years, has seen "the nice and not so nice."

Muntean said a dress code is being compiled and will be approved by Judge Patrick Cunning. "Flip-flops, tube tops, midriff tops and anything provocative" will be among attire listed as unsuitable for court, she said.

She said "at the front-line" is James Cioffi, certified bailiff and former school principal. "They have to get past his approval to get into court," Muntean said.

"We see low-cut outfits and body jewelry," she said, and sometimes the bailiff asks the person to cover up with a jacket or remove the jewelry.

Other people must have thought court was a day at the beach, because they've arrived barefoot.

The most outlandish outfit was a man in a Santa Claus suit in the summer. "He thought the judge would go easier on Santa Claus," said Muntean. It wasn't "Christmas in July" for him — he was sent home to change clothes.

"There's no respect for the court," Muntean observed, noting that during her tenure she has seen people's dress deteriorate. "It's all ages," she said, "but more so with young people."

A strict dress code

A sign posted at Struthers municipal court reads: "Dress code strictly enforced. Absolutely no shorts, T-shirts, midriff tops or sun dresses. You will be asked to leave if not dressed appropriately." A random check showed about 25 people in court, most adhering to the dress code.

Linda Aey, Struthers clerk of courts, said she and her staff see many people destined for court. "They get a hearing notice and in that it says what is appropriate dress," she said.

Still, some people have shown up in T-shirts with offensive and inappropriate slogans and tank and tube tops. "They're sent home to change," Aey said.

A 12-year employee, Aey said she has observed "disrespectful attitudes" toward the court process by how people dress.

During the random check in Campbell, people at court offered comments on attire but not their names. A man in his 30s, dressed in a neat navy work shirt and pants along with work boots, said, "I'm in my work clothes but thought it was OK."

A woman, in her 30s, dressed in casual slacks and shirt, said, "I think you need to be clean and neat. You shouldn't be hanging out all over the place."

A woman, in her 60s, dressed in a pant suit with a white blouse, said, "I came the first time in my work clothes ... a shirt and split skirt. I saw the sign and dressed differently."

The 'wrecks' stand out

Anthony Cornicelli, court administrator and chief magistrate in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, said, "There is no overall policy. We depend on people using their common sense to be appropriately attired."

But he likened court clothing to this — "Thousands of planes take off and land daily. We only hear about the plane crashes," he said. People wearing the correct apparel go unnoticed, like planes on schedule. People unsuitably attired are basically "the wrecks."

"There are a few who stand out," said Cornicelli, who has worked in the court system since 1991 and been administrator since 1997. Most people dress appropriately, however. "Most take the process seriously," he said.

Those who don't have shown up in court wearing T-shirts with marijuana symbols or other drug references and even sexual messages, he said.

"But it's up to the judge," Cornicelli said of how an inappropriately attired defendant is dealt with.

"We have had some people come from work ... in muddy boots from construction work or grimy hands," Cornicelli said.

For the most part, Cornicelli said people wear casual attire but nothing disrespectful to the court.

Cornicelli said there is an photo of celebrated lawyer Clarence Darrow of Kinsman in the courthouse. The men are in suits and ties and the women, dresses. Maybe that should set the standard for all those who enter the court.

Monday, July 30, 2007

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

There's no court of appeals if you're dressed inappropriately when appearing before a judge.

Flip-flops, sandals, ball caps, blue jeans, midriff tops, shorts and T-shirts work as beach wear, gardening attire or casual clothes. But some people wear such apparel to court — or try to.

Some courts post guidelines; some may use the words "dress appropriately" in hearing notices.

Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen A. Cronin, who was a judge for 13 years before her retirement July 1, said there is no written dress code, noting that attorneys advise clients about "appropriate dress."

What's "appropriate" is the crux of the matter.

Judge Cronin gave the example of an attractive young woman in a pink halter top and pink stilettos. Her matching pink capris and purse were "OK." The judge asked the woman, "do you think you're dressed appropriately?" to which the woman replied, "I thought so." The judge told her that the halter top was unacceptable and sent her home. The woman, who reappeared a short time later in an acceptable pink shirt, told the judge she had run across town and bought it.

Judge Cronin admitted men have an edge over women. "A man can put on a golf shirt and khakis and look fine," she said. "A woman has more body parts to expose." Unfortunately, sometimes those parts are out there. "No stomach or breasts should be showing," Judge Cronin said.

The worst outfit ever

Judge Cronin recalled an incident last summer of the "worst outfit" she had ever seen. "An overweight, voluptuous woman had on a tube top with fur on the top, no bra ... and short shorts and flip-flops," Judge Cronin said. When the judge told the woman she was not attired appropriately, the woman retorted, "Maybe I'm just hot."

The exchange escalated, and the judge found the woman in contempt. That's the only time that happened.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, also of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, said there is "no formal policy. I expect people to dress like they're going to church, a wedding or a funeral," said the judge, who has been on the bench 17 years.

"If they're appearing before me for the first time and not dressed appropriately, I advise them to look around the courtroom and see how they should be dressed," he said, referring to lawyers, court staff and jurors. "Women should not wear revealing clothes ... halter tops," he said.

One judge's opinion

Judge Krichbaum said in some criminal cases when the defendant has been dressed inappropriately, he has had that person removed from the courtroom and dressed in orange jail coveralls provided by the county.

"People have to pay attention to what is going on. This isn't a casual stop on the way to somewhere else," he said.

The judge, who also was a bailiff for four years and practicing lawyer for 12 years, said he was dismayed with how people appear in front of the person who's deciding their future.

"I expect people to know better," Judge Krichbaum said. "They need to dress and act appropriately. Lawyers are wise to this. Some make yeoman's efforts [with their clients] and it doesn't work."

The judge said he takes into consideration people's circumstances. If they're destitute, he said, "They might be wearing the best they have."

Judge Krichbaum said it's important to maintain the "dignity, decorum and pomp and circumstance" of the court. What people wear shows respect — or lack of it — for the proceedings. "It's dressing for the occasion," he said.

Judge Krichbaum offered this advice: "Pretend you're trying to impress someone ... like you're on a job interview."

A trip to court

During a recent stop at the Mahoning County Courthouse, people there for various proceedings commented on attire. Among comments, almost asides, were: "I don't want to get into any more trouble" and "Who cares what I'm wearing?" Others offered comments but not their names.

"I think people should be dressed appropriately for the setting. I still like three-piece suits," said a 40ish woman dressed in a matching shirt and slacks outfit.

A man, in his 20s, dressed in a plaid cotton shirt and jeans, said, "I think casual clothes are OK. You should be presentable."

Another man, in his 40s and dressed in a light-colored summer suit, noted, "You have to dress for court."

"What's appropriate to one person might not be to another," said another 20-something man in a T-shirt and jeans.

A recent stop at Campbell municipal court found about 20 people there. Only one woman, who looked to be in her 60s, was attired in dress slacks and a matching top with dress sandals. A 50ish man wore a blue and white cotton shirt and neat blue jeans.

The others? Some women had on off-the-shoulder blouses and midriff tops worn with capris and shorts and flip-flops or sandals.

One slightly overweight woman in a midriff top showed off body art on her lower back. A young man wore neat blue jeans but his T-shirt advertised a home improvement company.

One 20ish woman had on an ill-fitting tube top and blue jeans. An orange purse and matching three-inch heels completed the look.

Seen it all

Mary Muntean, Campbell clerk of courts for 22 years, has seen "the nice and not so nice."

Muntean said a dress code is being compiled and will be approved by Judge Patrick Cunning. "Flip-flops, tube tops, midriff tops and anything provocative" will be among attire listed as unsuitable for court, she said.

She said "at the front-line" is James Cioffi, certified bailiff and former school principal. "They have to get past his approval to get into court," Muntean said.

"We see low-cut outfits and body jewelry," she said, and sometimes the bailiff asks the person to cover up with a jacket or remove the jewelry.

Other people must have thought court was a day at the beach, because they've arrived barefoot.

The most outlandish outfit was a man in a Santa Claus suit in the summer. "He thought the judge would go easier on Santa Claus," said Muntean. It wasn't "Christmas in July" for him — he was sent home to change clothes.

"There's no respect for the court," Muntean observed, noting that during her tenure she has seen people's dress deteriorate. "It's all ages," she said, "but more so with young people."

A strict dress code

A sign posted at Struthers municipal court reads: "Dress code strictly enforced. Absolutely no shorts, T-shirts, midriff tops or sun dresses. You will be asked to leave if not dressed appropriately." A random check showed about 25 people in court, most adhering to the dress code.

Linda Aey, Struthers clerk of courts, said she and her staff see many people destined for court. "They get a hearing notice and in that it says what is appropriate dress," she said.

Still, some people have shown up in T-shirts with offensive and inappropriate slogans and tank and tube tops. "They're sent home to change," Aey said.

A 12-year employee, Aey said she has observed "disrespectful attitudes" toward the court process by how people dress.

During the random check in Campbell, people at court offered comments on attire but not their names. A man in his 30s, dressed in a neat navy work shirt and pants along with work boots, said, "I'm in my work clothes but thought it was OK."

A woman, in her 30s, dressed in casual slacks and shirt, said, "I think you need to be clean and neat. You shouldn't be hanging out all over the place."

A woman, in her 60s, dressed in a pant suit with a white blouse, said, "I came the first time in my work clothes ... a shirt and split skirt. I saw the sign and dressed differently."

The 'wrecks' stand out

Anthony Cornicelli, court administrator and chief magistrate in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, said, "There is no overall policy. We depend on people using their common sense to be appropriately attired."

But he likened court clothing to this — "Thousands of planes take off and land daily. We only hear about the plane crashes," he said. People wearing the correct apparel go unnoticed, like planes on schedule. People unsuitably attired are basically "the wrecks."

"There are a few who stand out," said Cornicelli, who has worked in the court system since 1991 and been administrator since 1997. Most people dress appropriately, however. "Most take the process seriously," he said.

Those who don't have shown up in court wearing T-shirts with marijuana symbols or other drug references and even sexual messages, he said.

"But it's up to the judge," Cornicelli said of how an inappropriately attired defendant is dealt with.

"We have had some people come from work ... in muddy boots from construction work or grimy hands," Cornicelli said.

For the most part, Cornicelli said people wear casual attire but nothing disrespectful to the court.

Cornicelli said there is an photo of celebrated lawyer Clarence Darrow of Kinsman in the courthouse. The men are in suits and ties and the women, dresses. Maybe that should set the standard for all those who enter the court.

Monday, July 30, 2007
or try to. Some courts post guidelines; some may use the words "dress appropriately" in hearing notices. Mahoning...

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