Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Illinois

courtroom procedure and witness question

During status court dates, can I (defendant) address the judge even without my attorney's OK as long as he is present? Our attorney says I cannot speak to the judge when before the bench. Are we responsible for paying airfare and hotel to bring our witness from out-of-state? She is not a paid expert witness but our only disinterested party in this matter. She was employed by a bank and notarized the document in question. Our attorney says we have to pay these costs to bring her here. We feel the bank should pay these costs as she was representing them when we received their services. Thank you


Asked on 7/24/08, 2:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lawrence A. Stein Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa, LLC

Re: courtroom procedure and witness question

You should not speak to the judge during a status conference. That is what you have an attorney for, to speak for you in court. If you do not like the way your attorney is handling the matter, fire him. You must pay the costs of getting your witnesses to court for trial, at least in the first instance. If you win, some of those costs may or may not be assessed against your opponent.

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Answered on 7/24/08, 2:19 pm


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