Prepare for a long day

Given the Sinaloa cartel’s penchant for violence, security at the trial has been exceedingly tight. The United States Marshals worked hard last week to accommodate the public, but should you decide to attend the proceedings, which could last as long as four months, prepare for the following:

Arrive early for a 9:30 a.m. start. During the first week, those wanting a seat arrived by 6:45 a.m. Drink coffee beforehand because you will be asked to dump any remaining beverages before you enter.

As you pass through the first level of security, you’ll be asked to put your belongings through a scanner and to walk through a metal detector. Here, you will be told to relinquish your cellphone, laptop and other electronic devices. (This is normal for the federal courts.)

Then, you’ll take the elevator to the 8th floor, find a second line of people outside the courtroom and wait for the next few hours.

Say hello to the bomb-sniffing dog lying beside another metal detector.

You’ll pass through a second layer of security, putting your remaining belongings back through the scanner. This time, be sure to remove your shoes.

Depending on your place in line, you’ll join one of the following courtrooms: The first approximately 50 people are allowed in the main courtroom. Another 50 are allowed in the overflow room. All remaining people will be asked to leave.