4 Things Every Judge Needs To Be Able To Work In 2021

It’s a given fact that judges play a pivotal role in administering court proceedings, and they have different styles of dress around the world. In some cases, the judges’ dress form is determined by the court and the type of case they would be hearing. 

Part of the judicial attire like robe and wig is now a tradition in different places though it continues to change in other areas. It is not much different from what you’ve seen in the movies or TV series. Here are the 4 things every judge needs to wear to be able to work in 2021. 

A Wig

Judges in different jurisdictions are often recognized by their wigs. The wigs have been in existence since the 17th century and were formalized in the 1840s in English common law. In other countries, wigs are synonymous with judicial service, and they play a pivotal role in the criminal justice system. The wigs are used to portray the judges’ authority and power. Additionally, wigs emphasize the judges’ anonymity and distancing since they handle different cases. A wig helps to conceal the judge’s identity so that it does not become apparent to the defendants in criminal cases.  

Apart from portraying authority, a wig helps to protect the judges so that they do not become easy targets by criminal elements. When hearing criminal cases, some defendants are convicted and sentenced to long prison sentences. As a result, the judges can be targeted for their role in delivering justice to different people. Therefore, a wig is an essential part of the judicial profession since it protects the judges.    

Judge Robes 

A judicial robe is an indispensable component in any court proceeding. A judge should wear a gown, and these come in different colors and designs. For an extensive collection of judicial robes, you can visit JudicialShop.com. The gowns come in various forms. Stylish judicial robes are crafted using various types of materials and are specifically designed for judges. A judge cannot hear any case without a gown since the apparel is considered part of the judicial service in different jurisdictions. 

In many countries, the judges wear black gowns, whereas other jurisdictions wear different colors. The good thing about judicial robes is that they are customizable and are designed according to several factors. In other places, the judicial robes are created according to the type of court right up to the Supreme Court. Not all judicial robes are similar since they serve different purposes. All judges should wear their robes when they attend every court session. In some cases, the judges should appear in their attire even when they are hearing other cases on camera.   

Formal Clothing

Both men and women wear judicial robes, but male judges usually wear white shirts together with neckties. On the other hand, women usually wear blouses. Commonly, the judges can also wear casual clothes like golf t-shirts underneath the judicial robes. The judges can be casual in their dress, but this might be challenging to notice. The gowns are long enough to cover the casual wear the judges may be wearing. However, judges should not wear gear that is too casual. For instance, sandals and other fancy clothing are not allowed in the courtroom since they can undermine the authority vested in the judges.  

Protective Clothing

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all people working in public places should wear protective gear to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. All judges attending court hearings must wear face masks and other necessary gear like gloves. While the cases of new infections and deaths have declined in some places, it seems the pandemic is persistent. Therefore, the judicial service must also adhere to the World Health Organizations’ guidelines in the fight against the coronavirus. 

The judges also need to exercise social distancing during the dispensation of their duties to avoid spreading or contracting the deadly virus. All judges must sanitize their workplaces and ensure that the environments are also safe.    

A judge is responsible for directing the court procedures. A judge can work alone, or they operate as a group. However, in different jurisdictions, judges are expected to maintain a specific type of dress to portray an image of power and authority. While judges have a form of dress code, it varies by country. There is no universal dress for the judges. Therefore, what you see in another country might differ from other nations. The common apparel that distinguishes judges from other professions includes gowns, wigs, and formal dressing.