For many Americans going to trial, the assumption is that they remain innocent until a judge or jury can prove them guilty. However, what they don’t understand is that more often than not, the prosecution only needs to paint them in a guilty light. Unfortunately, they may make it seem as though arriving in court wearing your orange jumpsuit means you are already a hardened criminal. Even if this was only your first offense, the deck already gets stacked against you.
Looking like a criminal
Orange Jumpsuits in Entertainment
Hollywood still enjoys using prison jumpsuits in crime-based TV shows and movies because they stay visually striking. Some programs continue using the older orange suits with black stripes, while other offerings adopt modern orange jumpsuits.
Unfortunately, a jury may immediately make a connection between your entered plea, and fictional characters that they have seen. When these fake criminals display outrageous behavior, it only paints you in a worse picture.
Why Prison Jumpsuits?
Looking like it was just an unfortunate incident
The average guard staff of any correctional facility remains greatly outnumbered by the inmates. When something significant occurs, either a cafeteria brawl or an attempted escape, keeping inmates in orange allows them to spot them quickly.
Some institutions may have only a portion of inmates dressed in specific colors, while others may use one unified pattern for all.
Whether they use orange to identify particularly dangerous criminals or as a blanket outfit, they all make you appear guilty.
Why Do People Wear Jumpsuits to Court?
In some instances, a trial’s date and time get moved, and the defendants don’t have an opportunity to change wardrobes. Or, their lawyer may have thought that wearing their orange jumpsuits may help gain pity from jury members.
Either way, it’s a calculated risk and one that only gambles your future. If you can, try and avoid arriving in what the warden has you wear.
You May Already Wear Handcuffs
Chances are, you might already be showing up to trial in a pair of shiny handcuffs. That image alone is enough to make at least some jury members see you as a criminal.
When you finish off your trial day fashion show with a vibrant orange jumpsuit, you appear as a dangerous felon. By at least having a different suit on, you can eliminate some of your negative image.
