Going To Court? Remember The Costco Rule

It was November. I was going to get a rotisserie chicken at Costco.

image from wikipedia

I was in law school. At the time, I was deeply engrossed in preparing for the National Moot Court competition. The issue that year was mail fraud. Mail fraud and not much else was on my mind.

In a moment of clarity, I knew I had to eat. For $6.99 I could get a rotisserie chicken at Costco.  It was tasty, prepared, nutritious, and cheap. It would serve as dinner then lunch then dinner again.

That day, I pulled into the Costco parking lot. I was eager to get my chicken. As I walked into Costco the greeter was there to check my membership card. I had been to Costco many times before. They always checked my cards. My card was in my wallet.

As I fumbled for my Costco ID Card the greeter at the door said to me, “son, have you been here before?”

I said “yes”.

In his old man voice he said “when did you know you were coming here?”

I was struck by how simple his question was. This was more than your average conversation with a greeter.

“Ah….ummmm…..here’s my card” I responded.

He then said “You knew you were coming here from at least the moment you turned off your car in the parking lot. You’ve been here before. You knew you had to show your ID. Next time when you get out of your car, take your ID out of your wallet, so you’re not standing here fumbling for your ID”.

This may have been the best old man lecture I have ever received. He had a point. I’ve never gone into Coscto without my ID in hand since that day.

What does any of this have to do with court?

Instead of old men and IDs there are judicial marshals and metal detectors. I’m going to go all old man here for a second. As you are waiting in line, instead of staring off blankly or checking facebook – take the change out of your pocket. If you have a large belt buckle, take it off prior to it being your turn in line. Begin gathering anything that you think may set off a metal detector prior to it being your turn to pass through.

Each time I go to court,  I see gross violations of the Costco rule. I forgive non-lawyers. They may not frequent courts and have something weighty on their minds. But lawyers, for the love of all that’s good, please follow the Costco Rule.

The Costco rule also applies to airlines, sporting events, and grocery store lines.

Ryan McKeen is a trial attorney at Connecticut Trial Firm, LLC in Glastonbury, Connecticut. In 2016, he was honored by the CT Personal Injury Hall of Fame for securing one of the highest settlements in the state. He is a New Leader in the Law. ABA 100. Avvo 10. 40 under 40 for Hartford Business Journal. He has been quoted in Time Magazine, the New York Times, Hartford Courant, Wall Street Journal Law Blog and the Hartford Business Journal. He focuses his practice on Connecticut Personal Injury law. He loves what he does. Contact him ryan@cttrialfirm.com or 860 471 8333

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