Courtroom Security Guidelines and Dress Code

Upon entering the Courthouse, you will be greeted by a security guard or a Shreveport City Deputy Marshal for a security screening.

Your possessions will be inspected and you will also pass through a metal detector, as you would in airports and many other public buildings.

The following may NOT be brought into the Courthouse:

• Guns, knives or weapons of any kind unless you are a law enforcement officer with proper identification
• Stun guns, scissors, mace or other caustic or flammable materials
• Food or drinks
• Alcohol
• Drugs of any kind unless prescribed by a doctor to the person in possession
• Video or recording devices unless prior, written permission has been granted by the Judge
.

Cameras and audio or video recording devices may be brought into the Courtroom only with advance approval by the Judge. NOTE: it is illegal to record (video or audio) any Court proceeding without express, written permission from the Judge.


• In the Courtroom, you will not be allowed to eat, drink or chew gum. While Court is in session, the Marshal will remove visitors who talk, whisper, laugh, applaud, read or otherwise violate Courtroom decorum.
  

• All electronic devices, such as cell phones and pagers, must be in the silent mode or turned off. Violators will be removed by the Marshal.

Dress Code Strictly Enforced

Appropriate attire is mandatory for any appearance in Court, whether as a participant in a case, a witness or an observer. This not only helps maintain decorum but shows respect for our nation’s laws and Courts.

As a general rule, you should think of the Courtroom as a formal environment. Dress as you would when going for an important job interview or to church. You will be barred from the Courtroom if you violate the Court dress code. Regardless of how you personally feel about the dress code, obey the rules.

You will NOT be allowed to enter the Courtroom wearing the following inappropriate clothing (this may result in an arrest warrant for failure to appear or a default of your civil case):

• Shorts
• Hats (men) or hair curlers (women)
• Halter or tube top
• Tank top or muscle shirt
• See-through top
• Flip flops
• Clothing that exposes your midriff or underwear
• Ripped or torn jeans
• Baggy pants that fall below your waist
• Pajamas
• Clothing with an emblem or wording that promotes illegal or inappropriate activity
• Clothing that depicts or promotes violence, sex acts, illegal drug use or profanity
• For males, shirts must be tucked in