nope, when in court. appearance can sway the jury my old lawyer told me so.
plus, various other studies.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/17/national/main6492046.shtml
i personally find the judicial system on average t appalling more so when you have studies like the one above.
when i went to court for a minor BS charge, i sat and waited my turn. i 40 year old man, polite respectful construction type worker stood in front of the judge wearing jeans boots and a normal dress shirt. the best he could do seeing as it was middle of the day and had taken time off from work.
the judge looked at him and told him off about unable to respect the courts dress code or some BS. b/c of his jeans which had nothing to do about the fine he was their to dispute.
a lot of time ppl are judged by appearance and clothing no matter how articulate one is sometimes not even being allowed to get a word in edge wise.
like i said i dont agree since when i saw the guy, all i saw an honest hard working person who was respectful and polite, the judge already made her opinion talking down to him as if he was a child abusing her authority.