Rule 3.020.Proper Apparel for In-custody Witnesses and Defendants Appearing in Criminal Proceedings

Current through August 1, 2026 · Last verified September 12, 2026

In one sentenceUTCR 3.020 requires in-custody witnesses and defendants appearing for trial, whether in person or by remote means, to be dressed in neat, clean civilian clothing unless the court orders otherwise.

Full Text of Rule 3.020

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In-custody witnesses and defendants appearing for trial, whether in person or by remote means, must be dressed in neat, clean civilian clothing, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

End

Plain-English Summary

A person in custody who appears for trial does not appear in jail clothing. The clothing must be civilian, and it must be neat and clean. The rule reaches witnesses as well as defendants, so a custody witness called by either side falls within it.

The trigger is an appearance for trial, and the rule covers that appearance whether the person is brought into the courtroom or appears by remote means. A video feed from a jail is still an appearance for trial, and the clothing requirement travels with it.

The rule ends with an escape hatch for the bench: the court may order otherwise. It does not say who supplies the clothing, when the arrangements must be made, or what happens if none arrive, which is why the subject belongs on the list of things to settle with the court and the custody facility before the trial date rather than on the morning of trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a defendant in custody have to appear at trial in civilian clothing?

Yes. In-custody defendants appearing for trial must be dressed in neat, clean civilian clothing, unless the court orders otherwise.

Does this rule cover witnesses, or only defendants?

Both. The rule names in-custody witnesses alongside defendants, so a witness produced from custody for trial is covered the same way.

What if the defendant appears by video from the jail?

The rule applies. It covers an appearance for trial whether it happens in person or by remote means, so the clothing requirement does not disappear because the appearance is on a screen.

Can the court order something different?

Yes. The requirement gives way when the court orders otherwise, and the rule places no conditions on that order.

Does the rule apply to hearings other than trial?

Its terms speak to witnesses and defendants appearing for trial. The rule does not extend itself to other appearances.

The general appearance rule, UTCR 3.010, does reach everyone attending court, so a person in custody at another hearing still falls under that broader standard.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR 3.020). Prescribed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court (UTCR 1.020). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 12, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: utcr 3.020in-custody defendant civilian clothingcivilian clothing at trial oregonin custody witness clothingneat clean civilian clothing requirement