Is it bad to cry in front of a judge?

Asked by: Vinnie Welch  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 5/5 (60 votes)

Yes, it is okay to cry in court. A whole category of legal damages is calculated by quantifying a victim's pain and suffering, so why wouldn't you let a judge or jury know when you are sad?

Do judges care if you cry?

One note of caution: drama has no part in this. If those tears don't come naturally from deep inside, involuntarily, you're creating drama -- and the whole courtroom will sense it. Honest, authentic tears, however, are not an act. The judge will know the difference. More importantly, so will you.

Does crying in court look bad?

Most crying in family law court is fake (not all, but most). Therefore, even if you show genuine emotion in court, odds are that the court will believe you're faking it. Crying is a gamble with worse than even odds. Even if your emotion is genuine, odds are your judge will perceive it as feigned.

What not to say in front of a judge?

Here are five things all defendants will want to avoid saying to a criminal judge:
  • 'I Did It. ' ...
  • 'They Didn't Tell Me...' ...
  • Expletives. ...
  • Lies, Lies, Lies. ...
  • 'I Will Represent Myself.

Is it bad to cry in front of someone?

Crying in front of others has also been shown to have many interpersonal benefits. Crying can act as a sign of social trust and a need for attachment. When we cry in front of others, it signals that we are vulnerable and may need their support or protection.

TOP 4 Times Judges CRIED In Court...

29 related questions found

Is crying in public embarrassing?

Remind yourself there is nothing wrong with crying. When you apologize, that makes the other person feel responsible for you and diminishes you as well. Own the fact that you are crying without apologizing.

What if a girl cries in front of you?

Even if it makes you uncomfortable, let her cry as much as she needs to. She will likely feel better for doing so. In general, avoid any commands, negative language, or imperatives. Stay away from phrases such as, "Don't cry," "You shouldn't be sad," or "That doesn't sound too bad."

What makes a judge mad?

Judges want their courtrooms to be professional places where justice can be served and laws are upheld. If you have an outburst of any kind, the judge is going to get agitated and/or angry. It's critical to keep your composure in the courtroom — no matter what aggravating factors are at play.

Can a judge curse at you?

Is a judge allowed to drop an “f bomb”, even if he or she is outside of court? The answer in California appears to be no, at least if it is in reference to a conversation with another judge. The issue arose recently in a case filed with the State's Commission on Judicial Performance.

What words should you avoid in court?

The Bad Word List, also known as the anti-reptile word list, includes: always, never, must, required, every, any, safety, priority, prevent, and violate, among others. Each word eliminates judgment and circumstances and can trap witnesses.

How to not cry during court?

Here are five ways you can shine with a calm presence in court.
  1. Stick to the Facts. ...
  2. Let Your Attorney do the Heavy Lifting. ...
  3. Get Your Emotions in Check. ...
  4. Make Sure You are Playing Reasonably. ...
  5. Take Court Seriously.

Is it OK to smile in court?

Do not laugh, sigh loudly, or make faces. The judge will be observing and behavior impacts credibility.

Do judges care about remorse?

In the assessment of remorse, the judges disagreed widely with regard to indicators of genuine remorse as opposed to insincere expressions or its absence. Many of the behaviors that indicated the presence of remorse to some of the judges indicated the absence of it to others.

What if you yell at the judge?

As to someone acting out, yelling, being very rude, shouting or engaging in histrionics, the judge has the authority to hold that person in contempt. This may be after one or more warnings, at which time punishments can range from monetary sanctions to exclusion from the courtroom to jail.

What do judges dislike?

Judges hate a situation where you say something using “by the way”. It suggests that you are bringing up a point you only thought about at the dying minutes and you are tossing it in, in a bid to have some significance. You are trying to show the judge that the point you are making is important.

Why can't you show emotion in court?

If we lie, omit information or misstate a fact during trial, our reputation for credibility with the jury [and the judge] will be destroyed. Therefore, we must never express emotion that is contrived or made up. Everyone will see through this act to our detriment.

What not to tell a judge?

Do Not Exaggerate, Mislead, or State Anything Untrue. It goes without saying that you should never lie to a judge (that is perjury), but you should also avoid exaggerating the facts or misleading the court about any issue. Most judges can sense when a witness is stretching the truth, and they do not appreciate it.

Can you cuss at a cop?

“You know, technically, the First Amendment protects you and allows you to curse at police, to yell at police, to give them the middle finger and to do all kinds of things, up to a point,” Fancher said.

Can you apologize to a judge?

A Court Apology Letter is a key document in legal proceedings that allows individuals to formally apologize for their actions, conveying remorse and a commitment to making amends. This letter can influence the court's perspective and potentially lead to a more favorable sentencing outcome.

Do judges get emotional?

The judicial context

Further, judges can often experience negative emotions like anger, sadness or fear, because of the emotions experienced by others in their courtroom.

Why you should never judge?

Judging others impacts the energy we bring to our opinions. It impacts how people respond to our perceptions. It impacts the level of conversation and curiosity our words bring. And ultimately it impacts the judgments we make about ourselves.

Is it OK to argue with a judge?

No matter what is said in the courtroom, you should exercise self-control. Don't argue with the opposing party, their attorney, the judge, or Judiciary staff, even if you are upset by your case.

How often do girls cry?

It is not unusual to cry, and both sexes cry more than people may assume. In the United States, women cry an average of 3.5 times per month and men cry an average of 1.9 times a month. Interestingly, humans are the only animals to cry tears. This article explores why we cry and what health benefits crying may have.

Why am I crying or why am I crying?

It's normal to cry for no reason.

Pervasive stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout don't feel very good. To avoid experiencing them, our brains are sometimes inclined to push these feelings down or ignore them.

What if someone cries in front of you?

If you're around someone who is crying: Acknowledge their sadness, embarrassment, or pain and show compassion toward their feelings. Respect their tears. Let them release their feelings and show them you care.