Here is a practical trick to help as well.

The advice here can help keep your mind calm if and when he tries to "bait" you. But if you get flustered you may not be able to keep all of our good advice in your head...

SO:

Find yourself a small object. Either something that has some meaning, or something that you purchase or find to assign some new meaning to. Something like those "worry stones" that they used to sell. I carry a small smooth stone I got in a souvenir shop somewhere. Or sometimes I carry a tiny wooden box with a message inside that a special friend gave me. It could be anything, a pen cap, a subway token, a crystal if you enjoy benefit from those, whatever.

Assign our "advice" to this object, and take it to court with you, keep it in your pocket or in your hand. Touch and rub it when you need to find your inner strength.

It is well known that having something in your hands helps you feel more secure and calm (I used to have tremendous "stage fright" whenever I had to do public speaking, until I learned to carry a pen in my hand. People think it is there for me to jot notes but for me it gives me a sense of security and confidence, it is like magic!)

This can calm you down and help you remember those tips and advice that you will need to cope, since you have "assigned" them to the object.

I'd type or write a list of those tips as well to keep in my pocket, not necessarily to refer to but just as a "crib" sheet if necessary.

One thing for this instance though, given the state of security these days, if you want to choose a smooth stone as your object make sure that they will let you bring it into court. I don't know if they might think you have a rock to throw at the judge or something! If that will be a problem, choose something that won't cause any problems with security. A pen cap would certainly be fine, or special keyring or something.

-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
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