Code of Decorum

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General Rules and Guidelines

1. Open all Meetings and Sessions with a prayer by the Chief Justice or by someone he chooses.
2. Business attire is mandatory for all Court Sessions, including Traffic Court Sessions.
3. Chief Justice reserves the right to fall back on Robert’s Rules in Court Meetings.
4. Justices may not overtly show opinion on matters outside of the court so as not to reflect an official opinion of the LUSC.
5. During a Court Session, all members of the court should be referred to, even amongst each other, as Justice “Last Name” for the sake of formality.
6. Justices may not discuss current cases outside of the Court, especially with media.
7. Use discretion when writing public documents such as opinions.
8. During any Court Session or Traffic Court Session, the two involved counsels may not directly address each other.

Procedure for Court Sessions for the LUSC

1. General adherence to formality.
2. Procedure:
   1. 
      The Court comes in and Justices introduce themselves, as well as record of who is recusing themself for the hearing.
   2. A brief overview of the case at hand is given.
   3. The Plaintiff gives opening argument.
   4. The Defense gives opening argument.
   5. The Plaintiff pleads case.
   6. The Defense pleads case.
   7. Cross examination is allowed by each side.
   8. The Plaintiff gives closing.
   9. The Defense closes.
3. It is the Chief Justice’s responsibility to discern between debate and disorderly conduct.
4. Justices may ask questions for clarification at any time. The opposing party, however, must wait their turn.
5. At any time, parties may petition for a closed session. The justices will vote to decide.
6. If an individual is out bursting, it is considered contempt. However, if it is general rowdiness of the audience, a Closed Session may be called.
7. The location of Court Sessions will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
8. The Court will meet outside of the Session room ten minutes prior to the start of the Session.
9. At the end of closing arguments, the Chief Justice will tell all parties to leave while the justices deliberate, and then give a verdict. (or the justices will leave if it is more convenient).
10. Opinions must be published within 48 hours of rendering a verdict. They must be sent to the Clerk.
11. There should be formality and directness from the concerned parties.
12. Justices must leave Sessions immediately after the verdict is rendered. They may not discuss the case until all opinions are published.
13. During deliberation, the justices should decide who will write the opinions before the verdict is given.

Procedure for Traffic Court

1. General adherence to formality.
2. Procedure:
   1. The Court comes in and gives introductions, as well as a brief overview.
   2. The officer presents the case.
   3. The student gives their account.
   4. The officer is given time to respond.
   5. The student is given time to respond.
   6. Justices deliberate and render a verdict.
3. Justices reserve the right to ask questions at any time.
4. No written opinions are necessary.
5. If any member of the court is issued a ticket that they would like to appeal, the appeal must go through LUPD.