Advertisement

Judges institute dress code

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Two Texas judges, struck by how people dress these days, have posted signs outside their Austin courtrooms advising defendants what not to wear.

District Judges Melissa Goodwin and Brenda Kennedy have had first-hand experience with wardrobe failures in their courtrooms, the Austin American-Statesman reported Monday.

Advertisement

Goodwin says she was convinced a dress code was needed when a female defendant appeared before her wearing a skirt that revealed her underwear -- from the bottom.

As for Kennedy, she says she knew rules were in order after a male defendant's low-slung pants fell to the floor as he walked away.

"It's gotten progressively worse the last two years," Kennedy told the American-Statesman. "I don't know if there's no common sense left, or if people just don't care anymore."

Prohibited clothing in the Kennedy and Goodwin courtrooms include shorts, short skirts, muscle shirts, pajamas, hats, house shoes and shirts with obscene language.

Defendants who violate the rules will be asked to go home and change or reschedule their cases.

Latest Headlines