All persons entering the Commerce Municipal Court are subject to the following rules:

  • The court is a secured environment. All persons and any hand carried items are subject to search.
  • No cell phones are permitted in the courtroom and are subject to being confiscated should they be discovered.
  • Concealed handgun permits DO NOT apply to a courthouse.
  • There is no talking while court is in session.
  • Keep your hands in plain sight and not in your pockets.
  • The Judge should be addressed as “Your Honor”.
  • Direct all comments directly to the judge. Do not speak while the Judge is speaking to you.
  • Reading newspapers in the courtroom, particularly if this causes a distraction, is generally not allowed.
  • When addressing the Judge, stand a few feet back from the bench.
  • Do not lean on the bench.
  • No food, drink or chewing gum is allowed in the court.
  • Smoking is prohibited by law in all areas of city buildings.
  • Avoid bringing small children to court. If you must, please monitor their behavior so that they remain quiet at all times. Parents may be asked to leave the courtroom if their child becomes noisy or unruly.
  • DRESS CODE. It is inappropriate to enter the courtroom unless you are wearing at least a t-shirt, pants and shoes. The following is a list of clothing prohibited within the court: t-shirts with offensive slogans or writing; halter tops; short skirts; short shorts; tube tops; spaghetti strap shirts; other sleeveless shirts; flip-flops; hats and sunglasses should be removed before entering a courtroom.
  • If you bring your friends or family with you, they are to remain seated while you speak to the Judge, they cannot approach the bench with you. If you are a juvenile, this does not apply to you. You may bring your parents/guardians to the bench with you.
  • Your friends or family cannot be in the side hallway with you while you wait to fill out your paperwork. They must wait for you in the front lobby. If you are a juvenile, this does not apply to your parents.
  • Disrupting the functions of the court and/or the clerk’s office may result in additional charges being filed.