In open court

This article is about the legal concept. For the language arts publisher, see Open Court Reading. For scholarly press publisher, see Open Court Publishing Company.

In open court is a legal term in the United States defined by the appearance by a party or their attorney in a public court session such as during a trial. Normally, the public may be present at trials, hearings and similar routine matters.^[1]

United States constitutional law

Under Article III, Section 3 of the United States Constitution:

No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court

—U.S. Const., Art. III, § 3 (emphasis added).^[2]

In the United States, the constitution guarantees criminal defendants the right to a "public and speedy trial" under the Sixth and the Fourteenth Amendments. The Sixth Amendment also grants the defendant the right to appear on his or her own behalf.

Distinguishing rules

Many courts dealing with children or minors, such as the New York Surrogate's Court, Probate Court, Family court, juvenile court, or widow's and orphan's court do not normally hold sessions in open court.^{[citation needed]}

Appearance in open court is distinguished from an appearance in a judge's chambers.^[3]

See also

• Admission
• Confession
• Jurisdiction
• Settlement conference

References

1. ^ Legal dictionary
2. ^ Wikisource of Article III.
3. ^ Ballentine's Law Dictionary, p. 378