Connecticut 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 3 courthouses in Connecticut. Updated 2026-11-04

All 3 county courthouses in Connecticut 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. Connecticut Judicial Branch Superior Courthouses allow cell phones with Judicial Marshal inspection; select high-security criminal G.A. courthouses restrict camera phones or provide marshal check-in.

County Courthouse	City	Courtroom dress code	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Fairfield County Fairfield County Courthouse (Bridgeport) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Fairfield 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."”	Bridgeport	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Hartford County Hartford County Courthouse (Hartford) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Hartford 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."”	Hartford	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
New Haven County New Haven County Courthouse (New Haven) “Courtroom Decorum Order (New Haven 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."”	New Haven	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 Connecticut?

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 3 courthouses in Connecticut.

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.