Before you leave home
- Check your paperwork. Your citation, summons, release order, or letter from your lawyer lists your court date, time, and courtroom. Bring it.
- Bring a photo ID.
- Bring anything your lawyer asked for, such as proof of a class, treatment, insurance, registration, or a valid license.
- Plan for the whole day. Arrange child care and tell your employer you may be gone for several hours.
- Plan your trip and parking ahead of time. Traffic and parking can take longer than you expect.
If you need a Spanish interpreter, tell your lawyer ahead of time so the court can be told. Hablamos español at our office.
How to dress and act
Dress as you would for a job interview. Neat, clean clothes are fine; you do not need a suit. Avoid hats, sunglasses, clothing with slogans or images, and anything revealing.
In the courtroom, sit quietly, keep your phone off, and do not eat, drink, or chew gum. Stand when the judge enters and leaves, and when you speak to the judge. Call the judge “Your Honor.” Be polite with everyone, including the clerks, bailiffs, and the prosecutor.
If the judge asks you a question, answer briefly and honestly. If you have a lawyer, it is fine to look to your lawyer before you answer, or to ask to speak with your lawyer first.
Security and phones
For the courthouse address, parking, entrances, and current security rules, check nccourts.gov or call the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court before you go. Expect to pass through a security screening at the entrance, and expect a line, especially in the morning. Leave anything that could be seen as a weapon at home, including pocketknives and tools. Rules about phones and other items can change. Plan to keep your phone silenced and put away in the courtroom, and follow any instructions from court staff.
Finding your name and your courtroom
Court calendars list the cases set for each courtroom. Check the courtroom on your paperwork, and look for your name on the posted calendar when you arrive. If you cannot find your name, ask the clerk’s office or courtroom staff for help. Do not assume your case was canceled.
If you have a lawyer, let your lawyer know you have arrived. Many cases are handled in the hallway or the courtroom before they are called, and your lawyer may need to talk with you.
Some people find their case listed under a slightly different spelling, or under a different courtroom. If something looks wrong on the calendar, tell your lawyer or the clerk. Do not leave the building because of a calendar mix-up.
When your case is called
In a busy courtroom, many cases are set for the same time, and the order can change through the session. Listen carefully for your name. When it is called, answer and come forward, or wait for your lawyer to signal you.
Several things can happen. Your case may be continued to another date, you may enter a plea, or the case may be heard. Let your lawyer speak for you. If you do not have a lawyer and could go to jail, you may ask the judge about a court-appointed lawyer. Before you leave, make sure you know your next date and what you must do before it.
If you are there for a traffic matter, you may be asked whether you have proof of insurance, registration, or a valid license. Have those papers ready, in a folder, so you can hand them over quickly.
What not to do
- Do not leave before your case is called unless your lawyer or the court tells you that you may.
- Do not discuss your case in hallways, elevators, or restrooms where others can hear.
- Do not contact an alleged victim or witness, especially if there is a no-contact order.
- Do not miss your date. If something real comes up, call your lawyer right away.
How we help
We practice in Guilford County courts in Greensboro and High Point. We tell clients where to be, what to bring, and what will happen before the day arrives. We explain our fee in writing before you hire us. Call (336) 281-2008. Hablamos español.
This page is general information about North Carolina law, not legal advice. Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result.
Questions people ask us
What should I bring to court in Greensboro?
Bring your court papers, a photo ID, and anything your lawyer asked for, such as proof of a class or a valid license. Leave anything that could be seen as a weapon at home, because you will go through security.
How early should I get to the Guilford County Courthouse?
Plan to arrive well before your scheduled time. Security lines, parking, and finding your courtroom can take longer than expected, especially on busy mornings.
What if I cannot find my name on the court calendar?
Ask the clerk's office or courtroom staff for help, and tell your lawyer. Do not assume your case was canceled or leave without checking.
How long will I be at court?
It can take several hours. Many cases are set for the same time, and the order changes through the session. Plan for the whole morning or the whole day.
Can I bring my phone into the courtroom?
Rules about phones can change. Plan to keep your phone silenced and put away in the courtroom, and follow any instructions from court staff.