Legal Definitions - officer of the court

An officer of the court is anyone who has a responsibility to make sure justice is served and the law is followed. This includes:

• Judges
• Clerks
• Court personnel
• Police officers
• Attorneys (lawyers)

Attorneys have a special responsibility to be truthful in court and follow all the rules. This means they cannot lie or mislead the court, and they must follow all the procedures and guidelines set by the court.

For example, if a police officer is called to testify in court, they are an officer of the court. They have a responsibility to tell the truth and provide accurate information to help the court make a fair decision. Similarly, if a lawyer is representing a client in court, they are also an officer of the court. They must follow all the rules and procedures, and they cannot lie or mislead the court in any way.