Can you insist on addressing a judge (in court) with simply, "Mr." or "Ms." and when they object point out that the custom of "Your Honor" is required by "etiquette" but not by law?

What might happen if I insist on addressing a judge (in court) with simply, "Mr." or "Ms." and when they object point out that the custom of "Your Honor" is required by "etiquette" but not by law?

Imagine you’re standing before someone who, depending on the circumstances, has the power to influence your charges, your verdict, and even your sentence. Do you think it’s worth risking their respect over something trivial?

I recently found myself wrongly accused of a traffic violation that could have resulted in a misdemeanor and jail time. Fortunately, I kept detailed records of the incident. In the end, it came down to my word against the officer’s—he had mistakenly pulled DMV records on the wrong day, which gave him inaccurate information. Throughout the process, I made sure to be respectful: I dressed neatly, addressed the judge as "Your Honor," and referred to the officer as "The Officer." I treated all authority figures with courtesy. As a result, the judge reviewed the evidence and reduced the charge to just a fine. The misdemeanor was dropped.

Do you think this would have happened if I hadn’t shown respect? Absolutely not.

In court, the judge is tasked with making a judgment about who you are. They’re evaluating whether you’re trustworthy, how much you may have contributed to the situation at hand, and many other factors. That’s why it’s crucial to dress well, act respectfully, and demonstrate that you understand proper legal etiquette. There’s no place where your personal impression matters more than in a courtroom.

There is typically no statute requiring litigants or attorneys to address a judge as "Your Honor." However, courtrooms operate on established conventions to ensure decorum and respect.  Judges have the authority to enforce decorum in their courtrooms. Persistently refusing to follow customary forms of address could be seen as disruptive or disrespectful.

If you explain your reasoning respectfully, a judge might tolerate it. However, pushing the point could be seen as confrontational. The judge might:

• Issue a direct order for you to follow the customary address.
• Warn you about potential contempt of court if your actions disrupt proceedings.
• Compromise: If you have strong reasons for avoiding "Your Honor," consider using "Judge [Last Name]" instead. This strikes a balance between your preferences and courtroom decorum.
• Respectful Explanation: If questioned, calmly and respectfully explain your position without being argumentative.