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THE DAY ITSELF

Nobody loses for being calm and organized.

A rehearsal-first plan: what to bring, what to wear, what to say, when to stop talking — practiced out loud until it's boring.

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Sound familiar?

The playbook

  1. 01

    Know the room

    Roles, seating, security, check-in, and how long you'll wait.

  2. 02

    Build your one-page brief

    Your facts, dates, asks, and exhibits on a single sheet.

  3. 03

    Script your 90 seconds

    Most people get a short window. Use it deliberately.

  4. 04

    Practice cross-examination

    Hostile questions in a safe room, until the sting is gone.

  5. 05

    Plan the day

    Arrival time, dress, childcare, work notice, transport, backups.

Attached resources

Included with your TNL Mock Trial signup for this path.

Common questions

What should I bring to court?
Bring your hearing notice, photo ID, three copies of every document you may show the judge, a one-page summary of your facts, dates and requests, a pen and paper, and any witness contact information. Leave anything you cannot explain at home.
What should I wear to court?
Wear clean, plain, conservative clothing — the level you would wear to a job interview. Avoid hats, slogans, and anything that will not clear a metal detector, and arrive early enough to pass security without rushing.
How do I speak to a judge?
Address the judge as "Your Honor," stand when speaking, answer the question asked, and stop when you have answered it. Never interrupt the judge or the other side; write down what you want to respond to and raise it when it is your turn.
How do I prepare for cross-examination?
Practice being questioned by someone trying to poke holes in your account. Give short factual answers, say you do not remember when that is the truth, and do not argue with the questioner — the goal is consistency, not winning the exchange.
THE ONLY NEXT STEP

Rehearse how to prepare for court before it's real.

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