How should a court officer handle a dispute between two attorneys in the courtroom?

• A. Maintain neutrality, intervene to prevent disruption, separate individuals if needed, and defer to the judge or bailiff for resolution.
• B. Take sides to protect your side.
• C. Eject both attorneys from the courtroom.
• D. Ignore the disruption.

Answer: (A)

Neutrality and keeping order are the priorities. When two attorneys clash in the courtroom, the court officer should step in to stop the disruption, separate the individuals if needed to restore calm, and call on the judge or bailiff to decide the next steps. This approach preserves fairness, ensures safety, and maintains the integrity of the proceedings, since the officer’s role is to manage behavior without taking sides. Taking sides, ejecting only one side, or ignoring the disruption would undermine impartiality and the orderly function of the court.