No one likes a sore loser. That truth is particularly applicable to a court proceeding, where winning or losing may depend entirely upon the whim of one person (i.e., the judge). When a judge issues a ruling in the other party’s favor (i.e., grants a motion), it is all too easy for the losing party to lose their cool. Losing one’s cool involves a range of behaviors that run from making a sour face, to cursing like a sailor, to putting a fist through a wall. Regardless of how you show it, losing your cool is something the pro-se litigant must avoid at all costs. In fact, it’s one of the worst things you can do. Here’s why:
[superquote]Losing one’s cool involves a range of behaviors that run from making a sour face, to cursing like a sailor, to putting a fist through a wall. [/superquote]
Judges are People, and People are Judgmental
True to their title, judges are constantly judging the people appearing in their court. Like many people, judges typically take measure of a person and develop an opinion about them within the first few minutes. As a pro-se litigant who follows the guidelines laid down elsewhere in this blog, you’re likely to make a good impression on the judge when you first appear in his or her court. After all, you showed up on time, dressed professionally, and came prepared. That initial impression may make the difference between winning and losing, and it’s all to easy to screw it up.