If you are involved in any type of legal dispute it is important to keep your thinking and behavior independent from your opponent’s thinking and behavior.
If you get upset and show your worst side, you’d better believe that it can come back to bite you.
Displaying your uncontrolled rage in person, by text, by voice mail, or online can really harm your case.
Always “take the high road”. Hang up. Walk away. Ignore inflammatory electronic communications.
If your opponent tries to goad you into an uncontrolled display of anger, don’t take the bait!
Here are some times when losing your temper can be especially harmful to your case:
- When you use bad language and/or make a personal attack;
- When you”lose it” in front of children in a divorce or involve the children in the dispute;
- When you “let go” in front of customers or co-workers in a business setting;
- When you display your anger in a public place, especially if that public place is in or near the courthouse (yes, it does happen!)
- When you provide evidence by posting your angry or sarcastic rant online or in texts or voice mail.
It is important to stand up for yourself, but do so in a controlled, effective, well-considered way. Don’t be out of control.
Remember: if the “other guy” can get you to behave in a manner that is out of control then s/he has the power, not you!
