California Courthouse Dress Code & Attire Rules (2026)
Short answer: Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 35 courthouses in California. Updated 2026-11-04
All 35 county courthouses in California enforce judicial decorum dress codes: shorts, flip-flops, tank tops, halter tops, pajamas, and hats are prohibited in courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may refuse entry or reset your hearing if you are improperly dressed. California Superior Courts allow cell phones and laptops past security checkpoints across all 58 counties, but California Rule of Court 1.150 strictly forbids photographing or recording anywhere inside a courthouse without written judicial permission.
| County Courthouse | City | Courtroom dress code | Phone Lockers | Juror Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center & Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Downtown LA) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Los Angeles County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Los Angeles | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| San Diego County San Diego Central Courthouse “Courtroom Decorum Order (San Diego County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
San Diego | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | $20/day |
| Orange County Central Justice Center (Santa Ana) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Orange County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Santa Ana | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Riverside County Riverside County Courthouse (Riverside) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Riverside County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Riverside | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| San Bernardino County San Bernardino County Courthouse (San Bernardino) “Courtroom Decorum Order (San Bernardino County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
San Bernardino | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Santa Clara County Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Santa Clara County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
San Jose | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Alameda County Alameda County Courthouse (Oakland) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Alameda County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Oakland | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Sacramento County Sacramento County Courthouse (Sacramento) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Sacramento County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Sacramento | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Contra Costa County Contra Costa County Courthouse (Martinez) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Contra Costa County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Martinez | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Fresno County Fresno County Courthouse (Fresno) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Fresno County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Fresno | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Kern County Kern County Courthouse (Bakersfield) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Kern County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Bakersfield | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Ventura County Ventura County Courthouse (Ventura) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Ventura County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Ventura | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| San Francisco County San Francisco County Courthouse (San Francisco) “Courtroom Decorum Order (San Francisco County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
San Francisco | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| San Joaquin County San Joaquin County Courthouse (Stockton) “Courtroom Decorum Order (San Joaquin County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Stockton | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| San Mateo County San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City) “Courtroom Decorum Order (San Mateo County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Redwood City | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Stanislaus County Stanislaus County Courthouse (Modesto) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Stanislaus County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Modesto | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Sonoma County Sonoma County Courthouse (Santa Rosa) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Sonoma County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Santa Rosa | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Tulare County Tulare County Courthouse (Visalia) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Tulare County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Visalia | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Solano County Solano County Courthouse (Fairfield) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Solano County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Fairfield | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara County Courthouse (Santa Barbara) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Santa Barbara County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Santa Barbara | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Monterey County Monterey County Courthouse (Salinas) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Monterey County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Salinas | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Placer County Placer County Courthouse (Roseville) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Placer County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Roseville | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Merced County Merced County Courthouse (Merced) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Merced County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Merced | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo County Courthouse (San Luis Obispo) “Courtroom Decorum Order (San Luis Obispo County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
San Luis Obispo | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz County Courthouse (Santa Cruz) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Santa Cruz County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Santa Cruz | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Marin County Marin County Courthouse (San Rafael) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Marin County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
San Rafael | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Yolo County Yolo County Courthouse (Woodland) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Yolo County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Woodland | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Butte County Butte County Courthouse (Oroville) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Butte County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Oroville | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| El Dorado County El Dorado County Courthouse (Placerville) “Courtroom Decorum Order (El Dorado County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Placerville | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Shasta County Shasta County Courthouse (Redding) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Shasta County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Redding | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Imperial County Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Imperial County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
El Centro | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Madera County Madera County Courthouse (Madera) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Madera County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Madera | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Kings County Kings County Courthouse (Hanford) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Kings County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Hanford | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Humboldt County Humboldt County Courthouse (Eureka) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Humboldt County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Eureka | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Napa County Napa County Courthouse (Napa) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Napa County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
Napa | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | No lockers | Free Validated |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear jeans or shorts to court in California?
Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 35 courthouses in California.
How is this courthouse policy data verified?
We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.
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