What Time Does Court Start
Court proceedings are an integral part of the legal system. But if you’ve never been to court before, you may be wondering “What time does court start?” This is an important question to answer so you can arrive on time and avoid any issues.
So what dictates the start times for court proceedings? And how early should you plan to arrive? Let’s take a closer look at some typical court start times and factors that impact exact start times.
First, it helps to understand what court is and why consistent start times matter. At all levels of the court system, from municipal courts to federal supreme courts, procedures need to begin on time to keep cases moving efficiently through the legal process. Consistent start times allow judges, attorneys, plaintiffs, defendants, witnesses, court reporters, clerks, and other staff to effectively coordinate schedules.
Court Start Times
Court start times can vary depending on the type of court. Here are some typical opening times for different courts:
Federal Courts
The federal court system follows its own rules and procedures.
District Courts
These are the federal trial courts that hear both civil and criminal cases. They often begin proceedings between 8:30-9:00 am.
Appeals Courts
These intermediate appellate courts hear appeals from district courts. Proceedings typically start between 9:00-10:00 am.
Supreme Court
The highest court with ultimate judicial authority meets in Washington D.C. Public sessions generally start at 10:00 am sharp.
State Courts
State courts can have different opening times.
Trial Courts
In many states, trial court sessions start between 9:00-9:30 am on weekdays. Some may have later start times.
Appellate Courts
These courts hear appeals from lower state courts. Start times are commonly from 9:30-10:00 am.
Supreme Courts
A state’s highest appellate court may begin oral arguments as early as 9:00 am on weekdays. Weekend or evening sessions are rare.
Municipal Courts
Local city and county courts handle minor cases like traffic violations. They often have morning and afternoon sessions, beginning at 8:30 or 9:00 am and then 1:00 or 1:30 pm.
Factors That Impact Start Time
The exact start time for any court can vary day-to-day due to:
Type of Proceeding
Simple hearings can start sooner than lengthy trials. Courts may also coordinate times for linked cases.
Judges Schedule
Other case assignments or dockets can impact when a judge is available.
Attorneys Schedules
The schedules of both defense and prosecution attorneys may cause delays.
Number of Cases Scheduled
Light or heavy caseloads influence day-to-day time adjustments.
So court start times are guidelines that account for realistic scheduling factors on any given day. The key is arriving early.
Typical Start Time
While every court runs on its own schedule, here are some general rules of thumb:
Morning Start Time
For both federal and state courts, morning session start times fall somewhere between 8:30-10:00 am, with 9:00 am being most common.
Afternoon Start Times
Some municipal courts have later starting sessions, like 1:00 or 1:30 pm.
Night Court
A few city courts may hold special evening sessions, beginning at 5:00 or 6:00 pm to resolve minor infractions.
So if faced with the question “What time does court start?” it’s always smart to call the specific court office to confirm times for your scheduled proceeding if possible. Expect early morning starts to be the norm otherwise.
Arriving on Time
It’s always wise to arrive early for a court date to account for delays. Consider:
Consequences of Being Late
Tardiness can negatively impact your case, resulting in fines, warrants, or other penalties.
Allowing Extra Time
Leave buffer time for traffic, parking, security screenings, locating the right courtroom, speaking with attorneys pre-trial, etc. These factors can be unpredictable.
Ideally, strive to arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour early for court whenever possible. Tardiness due to circumstances beyond your control may be excused by the judge, but it’s best avoided when able.
Contacting the Specific Court
To eliminate guesswork, contact the court office directly to:
Get Exact Start Times
Verify precise court proceedings start times for your specific date and courtroom number.
Double Check Before Appearance
Call or check the court website again the day prior just to confirm no last minute time changes.
Conclusion
The question “What time does court start?” has no universal answer. Court start times vary across different courts based on factors like caseloads, schedules, and proceeding types. Arrive roughly an hour early whenever possible, more if warrants require processing and to speak with attorneys. Always contact your specific court before showing up to double check precise start times for your appearance date to account for potential daily variability. Arriving punctually, prepared, and dressed appropriately will prevent unnecessary issues and keep your court date on track.
FAQs
1. What time does family court start?
For most county family courts, sessions start between 8:30-9:30 am on weekdays. Always confirm precise times by phone or online for your specific court date.
2. What happens if I’m late for court?
Tardiness may result in fines, warrants, rescheduling fees, or other penalties unless excused by the judge due to an emergency. Punctuality is expected so court dockets progress on schedule.
3. Is there night court?
Some municipal courts offer limited evening sessions starting at 5:00 or 6:00 pm to handle minor traffic, civil infractions, and misdemeanors. Night court availability varies by county and state.
4. How early should I arrive for court?
Strive to arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour before your scheduled court time whenever possible. This buffers unpredictable delays getting parked and screened, locating the right room, speaking with counsel pre-trial etc. Higher security courts may advise arriving even earlier.
5. Who determines when court starts?
Individual courts establish their own start times for sessions based on procedural rules, judges availability, average caseloads, and other administrative factors. Federal and appellate courts generally start earlier than local municipal courts.
