I have a question. If you have to go to court for any reason, and you have a beard, would you shave it off, or just make sure it trimmed and looks neat? I don't have to go to court btw. Just something I have always wondered.
It really should not matter as long as you wear nicer clothes. Lawyers and officers of the court might be held to different standards though, but really only by eccentric judges. If you are testifying for a side and have a vested interest in that side winning, you should look as nice as possible.
I've gone in for Jury Duty already (and had the unfortunate luck of being selected for the jury). They told us over the phone that you really aren't supposed to wear jeans or a T-shirt, but I showed up in that and they didn't seem to mind. Another person showed up with a full beard, wearing shorts, and wearing sandles.
Unfortunately, I've been to court a few times there, and most of the people there aren't exactly dressed to impress. If you wear something nice, business casual should do, you'll visually separate yourself from the other general riff-raff, and might get looked on a bit more favorably by the judge. (Assuming you're there for undesirable reasons) Of course a suit can't hurt. But when it comes to facial hair, neatly groomed should be fine, you don't have to lop the whole thing off.
Traffic court at night is the 7th circle of hell. Great for tranny watching, if you're into that sort of thing.
If you're on jury duty, it doesn't matter much at all. You can show up with a ZZ Top/Al Qaeda beard and it doesn't really make a difference beyond how likely the defense or prosecution will be to keep you around. Which is just as well: depending on where you live you could possibly be paid just for showing up. Happened for me too, the case I was a potential juror for was settled before the jury pool was even reduced and I got a check a week later
