Is the date for your court hearing approaching, and you've received a summons? This short article will guide you through what you can expect upon arriving at court and what will happen during the hearing itself.
What to Expect When Entering the Court Building
Upon entering the court building, you will need to go through a mandatory security check, which includes passing through a security scanner. If you have a backpack or any other bag with you, a security officer will inspect it using an X-ray machine. You are not allowed to bring any weapons or items that could pose a risk to life or health, so knives, scissors, and other sharp objects should be left at home. However, you should bring your identification, such as your ID card, passport, or driver's license. The officer conducting the security check can also direct you to the courtroom where the hearing will take place. In front of the courtroom, you will find a list of cases being heard in that room on the particular day.
When to Enter the Courtroom
Before the hearing begins, you should wait outside the courtroom until you are called to enter. Witnesses usually wait outside until they are called by the judge.
Other individuals besides those who have been summoned can also attend the hearing. Public access to court hearings is one of the fundamental principles of the judiciary, helping to ensure the courts and judges are held accountable. Therefore, you can attend almost any hearing that interests you. Access can only be restricted in legally defined cases, such as for the protection of commercial secrets, classified information, or the rights of minors.
What Happens Inside the Courtroom
Once you are called into the courtroom, you must follow the seating order. From the judge’s perspective, the plaintiff sits on the right side, the defendant on the left, and the public usually sits on the benches opposite the judge. The witness testifies at the witness stand opposite the judge. You must follow the judge's instructions and avoid disrupting the proceedings.
The judge may be making decisions alone (as a single judge) or in a panel of three judges. If a panel is involved, the hearing will be led by the presiding judge. Smoking and eating are prohibited during the hearing, although you are allowed to bring a water bottle. If you repeatedly disrupt the proceedings, you may be removed from the courtroom by the judicial officers after a warning. With the knowledge of the presiding judge or the panel leader, you can record the hearing. However, video or audio broadcasting is allowed only with the permission of the presiding judge or panel leader.
You can express your opinion or ask questions only with the consent or on the instruction of the presiding judge or panel leader. During the hearing, do not interrupt the judge, and do not speak out of turn. When addressing the judge, you should stand (unless your health prevents you from doing so, in which case the judge will not require you to stand). In other situations, you may remain seated. When addressing the judge, you should refer to them as "Mr. Presiding Judge" or "Madam Presiding Judge" if a single judge is leading the proceedings or if you are addressing the presiding judge of a panel. When speaking to the panel of three judges, address them as "Honorable Panel."
During the proceedings, the plaintiff or defendant may generally consult with their legal representative whenever needed (as long as it does not disrupt the hearing). If a longer consultation is required, the hearing can be adjourned with the judge’s consent. If the judgment is being announced, the judge will ask everyone to rise and listen to the ruling while standing.
We used a publicly available AI translation tool to translate this article from Czech to English. Please contact us if any of the above information is unclear to you.
