Peak lapel on trial?

I doubt the jury will hold one (slightly) unusual suit against a government lawyer, but I also wouldn't take the chance. Don't risk anything with a jury. This may be especially true when trying to prove false tax reports - you don't want the jury to be able to think that you may entertain some extravagances yourself, especially in the 8th Circuit, which will probably have some conservative folks on the jury.

(Disclosure - I don't practice in front of juries, but I've always heard to tone it down in front of juries in fear of alienating them.)

Originally Posted by TexasLidig8r

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See what your jury consultant says.



I've never understood that -- must be a civil thing for big tobacco to spend their cancer money.

Originally Posted by LesterSnodgrass

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I've never understood that -- must be a civil thing for big tobacco to spend their cancer money.

No No No... its for insurance companies to spend those overpriced premiums everyone pays!

As a federal prosecutor, I would think understated is the way to go.

(Oh.. don't let the dandies on here see you are wearing black shoes with navy suits! )

Originally Posted by airportlobby

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Is this a jury trial? If not, you can take more chances. Also depends on the court. I know of one older district court judge (in Dallas) who is not above telling an attorney that his attire is inappropriate. Ask around about the court.


McBryde?

Originally Posted by TexasLidig8r

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McBryde?
Yes.

Originally Posted by airportlobby

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Yes.


lol.. I remember when he first took the bench. At first, he prohibited female attorneys from wearing pantsuits in his court.

I saw him chew out an attorney for appearing in pressed khakis and a navy blazer...

A real joy!

As a law student, I'm surprised at the vast array of badly-dressed lawyers. I don't mean under-dressed (can't afford it, casual office, whatever), but poorly coordinated efforts. A guy I saw the other day arrived at a meeting with a black blazer that had the most lint I had ever seen.

I see Directors at my client office wearing sport coats with the lapels that are curling upward and out, massive amounts of pilling, and wearing shoes that should have been thrown away years ago. I really don't get it.

I probably would not wear peak lapels on trial.

Count me in with the chorus of nays. I would avoid peak lapels as a federal prosecutor.

I formerly represented criminal defendants at trial as well as some civil bench trials.

I think peaked lapels are fine for an AUSA to wear at trial. Hardly anyone wil notice the difference. Its not like you're asking is it OK to wear a mauve tuxedo from the 1970s for my opening statement like Joe Pesci in My Counsin Vinny.

BTW and kind of OT, but the title of your thread makes me think of an abstruse legal usage pet peeve of mine. It's the difference between being "in trial" and being "on trial". Traditionally I've observed that a lawyer is in trial when representing a client during a trial. Being on trial means that the govenment has charged you with a criminal offense and at least the voire dire of your trial has started.

In the past ten years I've heard more and more lawyers referring to themselves as being "on trial", when they're referrig to "in trial". It's usually lawyer who are neither on, or in, trial very often.

They maybe say something like "I can't attend mediation that week. I'm going to be on trial in Tampa." This piques my curiosity, bringing images of them being cuffed and stuffed into the back of a Hillsborough County Sheriff's cruiser in the parking at Mons Venus. So I have to ask: "really, what are you charged with?"

My father always dresses flashy for juries. It works for him. Probably not recommended for most.

Originally Posted by Connemara

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I really don't like single breasted PL suits. Am I the only one?


You're amongst friends, I don't like the single breasted PL suits either, I think they will date too easily.

Originally Posted by Bill Smith

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You're amongst friends, I don't like the single breasted PL suits either, I think they will date too easily.

I don't think it will date, it's been around forever. Whether one likes it or not is another question.

I love peak lapel on single breasted suit, not everyone's favorite, but I think it adds just a bit flavor.

Originally Posted by LesterSnodgrass

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(snip) 8th Circuit (snip)
This was all I needed to see. I wouldn't wear a SB PL anywhere in this circuit.