Proposed rule bans T-shirts, gum-chewing in courtrooms

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) – A new rule being considered by judges in a southwestern Indiana county would prohibit T-shirts, shorts and gum-chewing in courtrooms.

The rule proposed by Vanderburgh County judges in Evansville would apply to lawyers, litigants and spectators.

Superior Court Administrator Krista Hamby tells the Evansville Courier & Press the rule was released Thursday for public comment and sent to the Evansville Bar Association for distribution to its members.

The rule would apply uniformly to all seven judges and five magistrates in Superior Court and the one judge and one magistrate in Circuit Court, but Sheriff David Wedding says it would be up to individual judges to determine what’s appropriate in their courtrooms.

Public comment on the rule continues through June 28 before it takes effect July 1.