What do you say to start court?

Asked by: Prof. Louvenia Simonis III  |  Last update: February 7, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (45 votes)

To start in court, you usually stand and address the judge as "Your Honor," introducing yourself and stating your purpose (e.g., "May it please the Court, my name is [Your Name], representing the plaintiff/defendant") before presenting your brief opening statement, outlining your case and evidence in a clear, calm, and respectful manner.

What is said at the beginning of court?

An opening statement is made by the attorney for the plaintiff. The attorney for the defendant may then make an opening statement. The purpose of opening statements is to outline to the jury what each side contends the evidence will establish. A general idea of what the case is about is thus presented to the jury.

What should you say when opening a case?

When opening a case, you should introduce yourself and the parties, tell a clear, compelling story from your perspective, provide a roadmap of the evidence you'll present, state your case theory, and explain what you want the jury to do, all while avoiding argument and using relatable language to establish a strong, credible foundation. 

How to begin a court case?

Civil Lawsuits: The 8-Step Process From Start to Finish

  1. Step 1: Pre-suit negotiations. Often, a legal issue is first addressed in the form of a demand letter. ...
  2. PLEADINGS. Step 2: File a complaint. ...
  3. Step 3: Respond to the complaint. ...
  4. Step 4: The court issues a schedule for the case. ...
  5. DISCOVERY. ...
  6. PRE-TRIAL. ...
  7. TRIAL. ...
  8. APPEAL.

How do you introduce yourself to the court?

Tell your story.

Tell the judge in a few brief sentences what your case is about and how you plan to prove the facts of your case. Some lawyers call this an opening statement. Speak loud enough for the judge to hear you.

Mock Trial Step-by-Step: Opening Proceedings

32 related questions found

How to start a court opening statement?

An Introduction:

  1. Attorney identifies themself (or not) A typical introduction: “Your Honor, members of the jury, my name is (full name), representing the prosecution/defendant in this case.” ...
  2. A theory of the case. One or two sentences which tell the jury what your case is about. ...
  3. Briefly tell the jury why they are there.

How to impress a judge in court?

To impress a judge, be prepared, respectful, and credible by dressing appropriately, arriving early, knowing your case thoroughly, staying calm and polite (using "Your Honor"), speaking clearly and directly, avoiding exaggeration or opinion, and showing active engagement through note-taking. Judges value clarity, honesty, and efficiency, so provide easy-to-understand facts and solutions rather than emotional outbursts or unrequested details, allowing your attorney to handle communication. 

How do I start off a court letter?

Court Letter Template

  1. [City, State ZIP Code]
  2. Dear [Judge's Name],
  3. I am writing to bring your attention to a claim I have against [name of defendant] regarding [briefly describe the nature of the claim]. ...
  4. On [date of incident], I [briefly describe what happened].

How do you start a trial?

Criminal trial overview

  1. Pick a jury and evidence issues. Jury selection. ...
  2. Opening statements. Both sides start by giving an overview of what they plan to show at the trial. ...
  3. Prosecution presents its case. The prosecution presents its witnesses and evidence. ...
  4. Defense presents it case. ...
  5. Closing arguments. ...
  6. Jury makes a decision.

What to say to introduce evidence in court?

Once you have identified the exhibit and laid a foundation for it, ask the judge to admit the exhibit into evidence. Say: “Your Honor, may plaintiff's/defendant's Exhibit 1/A be admitted into evidence?” If you have not laid a sufficient foundation, the other side may object.

What are common phrases in court?

Common Courtroom Phrases

  • As jurors you are not to be swayed by sympathy.
  • Bail should be continued.
  • Call your next witness.
  • Can you tell the jury…?
  • Could you briefly describe …?
  • Could you describe the appearance of (a package, etc.)?
  • Counsel, lay a foundation.
  • Defendant will be remanded.

What is a good example of opening remarks?

Your opening remarks should set a positive tone and encourage participation. For example, saying “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen; it's a great pleasure to see so many familiar faces and new ones too” can immediately make the audience feel included and valued.

How to introduce a case in court example?

Good morning/afternoon, I am INSERT NAME/TITLE presiding over INSERT NAME OF COURT. Today is INSERT DATE AND TIME, and we are here in the matter of INSERT NAME OF CASE/CASE NUMBER. Will the parties please identify themselves by name and state your affiliation to this case?

What is a strong opening statement?

When structuring an opening statement, first tell the jury who you are, why you are there and what the jury will decide. “Frame your issues,” Soto said. “Keep it simple and tell a compelling story. Make it easy for the jurors to understand. You want to link important facts to issues the jury will decide.”

How to properly talk in court?

Speak clearly and distinctly, using only words, phrases and terminology that you understand. Keep your hands away from your mouth and do not chew gum. You can't speak distinctly while chewing gum or with your hand over your mouth. Always answer verbally so it can be properly recorded by the court.

What does "oye oye oye" mean in court?

Oyez (/oʊˈjɛz/, /oʊˈjeɪ/, /oʊˈjɛs/; more rarely with the word stress at the beginning) is a traditional interjection said two or three times in succession to introduce the opening of a court of law.

How to start a court case?

You start a lawsuit by filing a complaint. In some circumstances, you file a petition or a motion. The court has several complaint forms that you may use in drafting your complaint. The forms are available online and at the Pro Se Intake Unit.

What is a good sentence for trial?

I took the car out for a trial on the roads. The robots have been on trial for the past year. We plan to release a prototype this autumn for trial in hospitals. He had just given a trial to a young woman who said she had previous experience.

How to beat the trial chambers?

How to Beat a Trial Chamber in Minecraft

  1. Only trigger one spawner at a time. The trial spawners will trigger when you approach them. ...
  2. Understand each enemy. ...
  3. Leave behind markers as you explore. ...
  4. Bring milk and water. ...
  5. Be aware of traps.

How do I start off a court statement?

Structure Your Statement

Introduction: Begin with a strong opening that grabs attention. This could be a compelling fact, a thought-provoking question, or a brief anecdote related to the case. Case Overview: Provide a concise summary of the case, introducing the main parties involved and the core issues at hand.

What is the most respectful way to address a judge?

DO be respectful to the judge; address him or her as "Your Honor" or "Judge." DON'T chew gum in the courtrooms. DO turn pagers and cellular telephones off while visiting the Courthouse. DON'T bring food or beverages into a courtroom.

How to start a legal brief?

A brief should begin with the case name, the court that decided it, the year it was decided, and the page on which it appears in the casebook. 3. Identify the case facts. Next, state the facts of the case.

What color do judges like to see in court?

Judges generally prefer neutral, conservative colors like navy, gray, black, and white, as these convey seriousness, respect, and professionalism, avoiding distractions in a formal court setting; bright colors, bold patterns, and overly casual attire should be avoided to show you're taking the proceedings seriously. While some suggest lighter, muted tones (like light blue) might leave a favorable impression, the key is sobriety and fitting in, not standing out.
 

What are common words used in court?

Common court terms cover roles (Plaintiff, Defendant, Counsel), procedures (Discovery, Arraignment, Appeal), legal concepts (Liability, Damages, Jurisdiction), and documentation (Complaint, Summons, Subpoena, Testimony, Verdict). Key terms include Plaintiff (initiates suit), Defendant (accused), Discovery (evidence gathering), Arraignment (initial appearance/plea), Subpoena (order to testify/produce docs), and Verdict (final decision). 

What is the hardest case to win in court?

The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.