Civilisation grows as play, contends Huizinga (V&R Chapter 6). One of his strongest examples is the play character of courts, judges, and trials.
Here is an excellent article on clothing choices at recent trials in the US (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/fashion/anna-sorokin-elizabeth-holmes-card-b-court-fashion.html).
Huizinga would think the defendants are entering into the spirit of the game.
