Prior to appearing in court, you should

• A. Review your inspection notes and the required codes
• B. Draft new codes during the court session
• C. Rely solely on memory and avoid notes
• D. Bring only photos, not notes

Answer: (A)

In court, being prepared with your documentation is essential. Reviewing your inspection notes and the applicable codes before you testify ensures you can accurately recount what you found, reference the exact code requirements that apply, and explain how the observed conditions violation those requirements. This keeps your testimony precise and credible under oath and helps tie each finding to a specific standard.

Drafting new codes during court isn’t appropriate because standards are set by the governing authorities, not by inspectors during testimony. Relying solely on memory and avoiding notes increases the risk of forgetting details or misstating facts under pressure. Having notes provides the specifics you need to support your conclusions. Bringing only photos without notes or code references leaves gaps in context and how the images tie to the code violations.