Lawyers of Reddit, What Was Your “Oh Sh*t” Moment in Court?
1: Wrong Medical Term.
“Sat in on a personal injury case where the plaintiff broke their leg in an accident and had a doctor on the stand as an expert. The woman’s lawyer begins questioning the doctor about their experience with leg injuries (he was a well-known orthopedic surgeon in the area).
She asks if he’s ever treated a tibula fracture (the leg bones are tibia and fibula) to which he only answers “no” then she starts grilling him with questions about the tibula.
After about 6-7 questions she asks “how did you get a medical license and have been able to practice medicine this long if you’ve never treated a tibula fracture?” And begins a small rant about going after his credentials and those that gave it to him, to which he simply responds “There is no bone named the tibula”.
The lawyer became beet red and everyone in the room tried their best to keep from laughing including the judge.” – Bang-a-rang47, Reddit User.
She must have meant to say something else and couldn’t place the name correctly. The doctor must have known this but just decided to play along. It’s quite embarrassing to find out that you’ve been saying the wrong thing all along.
2: Not-So-Smart Client.
“I was representing a plaintiff in a hit and run case. Plaintiff is testifying and is, despite me preparing them for several hours the previous day, an absolutely terrible witness for her own case. Like, she couldn’t even identify the street she was crossing when she was hit by the car. (It was a major highway and we had gone through the sequence of events countless times the day before the hearing).
The “oh sh*t” moment came during cross examination. Defense counsel pulls out a picture of my client dressed up and ready to hit the club which was posted to Facebook the day after the alleged accident. I, thinking quickly, object because the timestamp refers to when it was posted, not when it was taken. Defense counsel show the picture to my client and asked her when the picture was taken. Sure enough, they say it was taken the day after the accident when she was supposedly in unbearable pain.
Oh. Sh*t. “– DoctorTargaryen, Reddit User.
The plaintiff was trying to get justice which was why she took it to court. However, it seems she was just trying to say everything as it is and discarded the ‘smart talks’ her lawyer had put her through. Or maybe she was just looking to make a ‘steal’ and karma caught up with her, who knows?
3: Dumb Suspect.
“When I was in college, I was a bailiff. Guy is on trial for murder. First witness testified that she saw the defendant shoot the victim. Second witness states the same. Police officer testimony is that he arrived at the scene and defendant was there holding the gun.
Coroner testimony is that the first bullet hit the victim in the arm, the second bullet hit the victim in the torso and the third bullet hit the victim in the heart which was the fatal shot.
Defendant yells out ” See that proves that I didn’t kill him, I only shot the mother fucker twice” – Mynameisinuse, Reddit User.
It’s either he is so clueless and thinks he didn’t kill the victim. Or he was trying to make his point on the number of times he shot the victim. Either way, he’s in a lot of trouble.
4: Angry Judge.
“I was a baby lawyer in my first year representing the 19-year-old child of some rich people in San Mateo County CA. My client had gone on a bit of a shoplifting spree and we were cleaning all her cases up with a global plea (meaning we handled them all at once).
Being new, I filled out the plea form wrong swapping the counts she was charged with for the counts she was pleading to. It’s an easy mistake to make. Every court has their own unique form and I was unfamiliar with San Mateo’s.
The judge calls my line, starts reading off the plea form, notices the mistake and then starts screaming at the top of his lungs “COUNSEL! WHAT IS THIS?! WHAT IS THIS?! IS THIS YOUR FIRST DAY ON THE JOB? THIS IS A COURT OF LAW AND WE DO NOT ACCEPT MISTAKES! FILL THIS PLEA FORM OIT CORRECTLY OR I WILL HAVE YOU TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR CONTEMPT!”
I did not expect a reaction like that. My client, who had clearly just taken a huge bong rip at 8 AM and who was wearing an all-pink velvet track suit was looking at me like I was the biggest idiot in the world.
I corrected the plea form. The judge made me wait until the very end of the calendar to take my plea. Afterward, he called me up to the bench.
In private he told me, “Sorry to ream you like that. Everyone messes the plea form up so I always pick the youngest lawyer to yell at. The older guys will grumble and complain, but if you noticed they all fixed their own forms and we didn’t have any more problems. Keeps the calendar running smooth. Where did you go to law school?” After that he invited me into his office for coffee and gave me some really good life/work advice. Turns out he likes talking to new lawyers.
Judge losses his sh*t in court over a simple mistake, turns out it was all a show for the other lawyers and I have one of the worst/best court experiences of my early career.” – Dangerousgift, Reddit User.
The judge was nice enough to apologize to Dangerousgift later…although in private. The other lawyers are either used to this kind of reaction from the judge and might count it to nothing. The new ones will have to take a cue.
5: Dilemma.
“Represented a woman charged with multiple very serious felonies. She insisted that in the months before the offense, she’d been seriously dating one of the detectives who ultimately wound up investigating and testifying in her case. For a variety of reasons, I trusted this client and believed her, even though the detective never disclosed the relationship in his report.
So, during his testimony, I ask “Detective Smith, you had a romantic relationship with Ms. Defendant, correct?” He goes “What? No!” and is visibly offended.
The judge Iooks at me like I’ve lost my mind, the commonwealth attorney audibly says “what?”, I’m freaking out because a large part of my cross and argument was focused on the bias formed by the prior relationship, and now I’ve got nothing and I’ve lost all credibility.
I try again, “Detective Smith, have you had a sexual relationship with Ms. Defendant?”. As the Commonwealth rises to object and the Judge starts to scold me, the detective goes “Oh, yea. We’ve had sex, it just wasn’t very…romantic.” – Fictional_Idolatry, Reddit User.
The lawyer wasn’t wrong to believe his client, he just wasn’t clear on the circumstances. To the detective, having sex wasn’t romantic which was why he discarded the first question. Fortunately, the lawyer regained his credibility when he confirmed.
6: Old, Boring but Smart.
“UK – Bear with me on this one. I was in court listening to the most boring old defense lawyer you’ve ever seen; he was questioning the arresting officer in the case. It was drugs or something like that.
Anyway, he’s droning on about every little detail and the magistrate was constantly telling him to hurry along. The arresting officer was getting noticeably annoyed and the room became empty pretty quick. Everyone was very bored and annoyed. He was droning about details that I’m not sure anyone was really listening to or cared about.
Anyway, he went over arrest times and the likes with the officer, time he admitted the suspect and released him. He had bored the officer to the point where he was barely paying attention.
“So, he was admitted in at 21:45 on the night in question…?” “Yes” “…and released the night after…” “yes” “…and that was what? Just after 10pm?”
“Yes” “What time after 10?” “I don’t know, quarter past 10 maybe” “so my client was detained for more than 24 hours” “erm…wait”
The penny dropped. The officer let his guard down and had revealed he kept the defendant for more than 24 hours, which is the max time for detention in the UK. The defense rested and the magistrate threw the case out immediately. Well played sir, well played.” – War_King_123, Reddit User.
The defense had something up his sleeve. He cleverly beat around the bush and got the defendant tired till he lost his guard. He got the truth out in the end.
7: “Tell the Courtroom”.
“I think this qualifies, though it wasn’t me that was the lawyer.
Got called for jury duty. Was at the jury selection phase, and they asked if “Anyone here thinks they should not…” blah blah. Defendant was in the room.
I raised my hand. The defending lawyer looked at me like “Oh this oughta be good” and asked me to explain. I suggested I tell them in private. He insisted I tell the courtroom.
I said:
“OK…I probably shouldn’t be on this jury because I was on a previous jury for this man which returned a guilty verdict”.
Lawyer’s face went “oh sh*t”.
Commotion and a wait while they looked up records. Yep; verified. Whole jury was now “tainted”.
Everyone goes home, and they start over.” – SuspiciousChicken, Reddit User.
The defending lawyer should have just allowed them to talk in private. He was probably on the lookout for a funny excuse. He didn’t expect what came to him.
8: Muddy Situation.
“I was involved in a pretty messy custody case. The other party was a mess and had kept the child from my client for a few weeks. OP was playing lots of stupid games and kept requesting continuances. I requested a drug test, which the judge ordered. However, the OP didn’t show up for it (to clarify, he did show up, he just stood in front of the toilet for literally 2 hours and claimed he couldn’t pee).
I was representing the plaintiff so the burden was on me. I called multiple witnesses that testified to the defendant’s drug use. So, opposing counsel decides to call their client for direct examination and asks, “you don’t use heroin and crack, right?” That is, for the non-lawyers, a very stupid question for many reasons. Especially considering his client didn’t show up for his drug test. However, I fully expected the defendant to just lie and say he was clean.
After the question was asked, there was a really long pause and the defendant said, “yes, I do both of those drugs.” My head almost exploded. I didn’t ask any questions on cross examination because I didn’t want to muddy the waters. I won, and the child is doing great.” – TurkeyOfJive, Reddit User.
The defendant’s lawyer seems pretty clueless about the situation. It’s either he never had a conversation with his client before the meeting. Or he was also expecting the defendant to clearly state that he was clean.
9: “The Truth Shall Set You Free.”
“Not mine but my bosses one:
She had to defend a small time delinquent as duty solicitor. Before going to court he asked her what he should do; she explained to him if he was cooperative and truthful his sentence would be milder.
After hearing the case the judge asked him if he wanted to add something. He got up and explained to the judge: “my counsel told me to be truthful, so I wanted to tell you that I not only did the robbery I’m being heard for but also several others in the region”.
He continued to admit to several robberies that had been unsolved yet and everyone, even the state attorney was facepalming.” – ComradeCatilina, Reddit User.
He misunderstood his lawyer. She wanted him to be truthful about the current case. He thought she meant all his crimes.
10: “He’s as Guilty as Sin.”
“Mine actually happened while I was sitting in the jury pool during vior dire. The case was a double homicide, and the jury pool filled the entire courtroom. If you’re not familiar with vior dire it is when the lawyers ask the potential jurors questions to determine who they want to sit on the jury and who they want to exclude. It is a long and boring process for almost everyone involved, but 9/10 it’s the most important stage in a case.
So, the lawyers are asking us questions and if that question applied to you, you raised your hand and they handed you a microphone to answer the question.
The question asked was “Do you or anyone you know have prior knowledge of this case?”
So, this older gentleman raised his hand, is handed the mic, and proceeds to say “Yeah I work at the police station as a janitor, and I heard two detectives talking about him points to defendant and they were saying he was about as guilty as sin.”
We all kind of stared open-mouthed at this guy, and I started chuckling because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!!
Naturally, the defense attorney asked to approach the bench followed quickly the by the state prosecutor. After some quick and energetic whispering, the judge addressed the man.
“Do you realize what you just did. You potentially poisoned this entire jury pool. I will be calling your boss and you will be hearing about this. You can count on that. You are dismissed sir, but this isn’t over.”
The man was escorted out and then the judge addressed the remaining jury pool which was still in a mostly packed room. “Now I want you all to disregard what that man just said. I’m sure if any of you were ever accused of a crime like this you would want a fair trial, and not be condemned based on the words of one old man.”
I have been in court many times since, but never have I seen that level of downright jaw-dropping absurdity again.” – ColdStare, Reddit User.
The judge asked for prior knowledge not if the defendant was guilty or not. He had to be excused as the jury might feel whatever sentence is passed on the defendant might not be enough. Justice is based on trial and evidence…not just word of mouth alone.
11: “Don’t Wear the Jacket,” But He Did.
“Literally the first thing I ever did, was just a law student intern. Guy has a legit defense on a drug possession case. Drugs found in a jacket, guy wasn’t wearing jacket, they were going to have a very difficult time proving the jacket belonged to my guy.
Had a long meeting with client. Explained everything. Client was excited.
Day of the preliminary hearing, guy shows up and sits down directly in front of the officer who arrested him…
… while wearing the jacket in question, the exact same jacket we were going to say they couldn’t prove belonged to him.” – Cuthman99, Reddit User.
The case would be very difficult to win. Why? The evidence is sitting right in front of them. Maybe he forgot the arrangement.
12: Agreed to Firing Someone for Being Disabled.
“Not in court but at a tribunal, and also, I was plaintiff, suing for wrongful termination.
My rep: so, you terminated him because he was ill
Employer: yes
MR: and he was ill because he’s disabled
Employer: yes
MR: so, you fired someone for being disabled
Employer: yes. “– Viscountsj, Reddit User.
Viscountsj got the justice he deserved. The employer must have been lost or didn’t know what was going on anymore. He must have realized how silly he sounded when it was too late.
13: The Client Yelled at The Judge.
“Was in court for a directions hearing. The judge was already in a bad mood and asked why we were here for such a seemingly pointless litigation (without giving details, he was right.)
The barrister starts to make our case, and I am taking notes about areas we need to further explore when I hear
“EXCUSE ME, WHY WERE YOU SO RUUUUUUDE TO ME?”
The client, who had been told to NOT COME, had come to court that day and was evidently incensed by the judge questioning the merit of their case.
They berated the judge for about 3 minutes, with me and my co-counsel first stunned and then trying to shut them up, before he adjourned the hearing.
The case did not go very well, to my client’s surprise and fury. Big sigh.” – Ladyfennec, Reddit User.
The client must have been angered by the judge’s questioning. That didn’t mean he should have retaliated. He was already told to not show up but he messed it all up.
14: The Accused Gave Himself Way.
“Not me but my former law partner. She was in court representing a client, I think in a hearing for a restraining order against her soon-to-be-ex-husband.
Our client was telling the judge that when they met to exchange the children for visitation, the ex had kicked her. He immediately angrily shouted “She can’t prove it; I didn’t leave a mark!” Thanks, buddy!” – DaniKnowsBest, Reddit User.
There’s no need for evidence anymore. The accused already gave himself out. He must have been so heated up about the whole thing that he didn’t know when he did. Case over.
15: Dad’s Honesty Got Him Jailed.
“Probably the funniest one I ever came across happened to a colleague. We were prosecutors then. 18-year-old defendant applying for bail. He needed a residential address and got his dad to show up at court to confirm that the family home was available to him.
Defense lawyer gets old dad to confirm that son can stay at family home. Dad says yes. My fellow prosecutor gets up and asks dad – do you really want him home? Dad goes off the deep end.
‘Jesus. The grief he’s brought me and his mother. Out all hours. Taking drugs. Hiding stolen property in the garage. All night parties. I’m on anti-depressants and the wife’s had a nervous breakdown.’
Dad goes off on one for five solid minutes. As the defendant gets taken back to the cells, he calls out ‘Thanks Dad. I owe you one.’ – Someluckinvolved, Reddit User.
Dad was pretty honest. It’s either he wanted the son to get disciplined or he was tired and needed a break. Either way, he got the peace he wanted.
16: Admitted to False Test Results.
“Two moments in a DUI trial:
- Passenger is testifying for driver’s sobriety when the DA asks her, “you keep saying he was sober, but are you even TIPS certified (a course for bartenders so they can recognize drunk patrons)?” She was.
- The head of the county’s blood lab accidentally admitted he cranked the sensitivity of his machines way up because he “was experimenting” – Mah_Nerva, Reddit User.
It’s better if it was an honest mistake. But experimenting with your machines and giving someone a false result is inexcusable. We can only imagine the looks on everyone’s faces.
17: Obvious Insurance Fraud.
“Obligatory INAL, but in a pre-mediation meeting once for an uninsured motorist claim an insured had alleged that she couldn’t walk without the aid of a cane and had a pronounced limp after an accident due to a low back injury and a shooting pain in her right leg.
The doctor notes didn’t support anything but a subjective injury after a few weeks, but she was still treating 2 years later and going to new physicians.
So, we had her followed covertly to see if she was really using the cane and had a limp, etc. We got footage of her carrying like 4 grocery bags in each arm to her car in a Walmart parking lot, walking perfectly fine. When she got to her car, she even opened the trunk of her SUV without putting any bags down and lifted the gate with her knee part way.
Her elderly mother was with her using a particularly decorative purple cane with a flower pattern on it.
They followed her to a doctor appointment an hour later and she’s on video using her mother’s cane and walking with a limp that would give Forrest Gump a run for his money.
Never did follow up on how that played in the mediation, but I can only imagine it gave some attorney an “Oh sh*t” moment.” – Luthalis, Reddit User.
People forget that they’re being watched when they claim something. She must have felt it only matters how she appears and acts. She forgot that once you claim something, you must pretend to have it till you die.
18: Terrible Clients.
“Person I was representing was on trial for Assault in the Third Degree and DUI. In my state, A3 means you’ve assaulted an aid worker or police officer and is a felony. The allegations are that he was very verbally abusive to the officers and, at one point, kicked one in the face.
We’re sitting at the defendant’s table and the officer is testifying about the statements my guy made to him, including some pretty horrific name calling. Out of nowhere, my client screams “You’re a fucking liar! Fuck you, you son of a bitch!!!”
We lost that trial.
Another time, the judge asked a client whether anyone had coerced him into pleading guilty, and he said “Yeah, my attorney.” I about sh*t my pants, but he laughed and said, “I’m joking. No.” – BirdLaw458, Reddit User.
Both clients were horrible enough to ruin the attorney’s career. The first one confirmed the defendant’s statement. The second claimed to be joking which can question the attorney’s credibility.
19: Obvious Fraudulent Documents.
“I was at a hearing arguing that my client was wrongfully terminated because the employer failed to abide by the proper procedures. During the hearing a witness for the employer tried to offer documents that were fraudulently altered in order to make it look like the proper procedure was followed.
I noticed the alteration. Opposing counsel quickly got that witness out of the room, and after a quick adjournment, my client got a large settlement.” – Mincerray, Reddit User.
For the opposing counsel to get the witness out, their client must have used him as back-up. It’s either that or they all felt it was going to be easy to deceive everyone. That’s a clear case win.
20: Terrible Lawyer.
“Opposing counsel was a nightmare. Everything late, his work was extremely subpar, and so forth. Accused me of lying multiple times when he had dropped the ball.
During another hearing in which he did another dumb move, judge says “I’m glad you are the last case on the call, and all of the other attorneys have left the room, so they aren’t here to hear me say that you are a terrible attorney.” – Dbo81, Reddit User.
It seems the opposing lawyer was unprepared. It’s either that or he doesn’t know his job well enough. The judge is quite nice to not call him out in front of the others.
21: Wanted the Jury to Have the Right Idea.
“My aunt was prosecuting a guy for agg. robbery one time and when the victim showed the jury how the defendant had pointed a gun at her, the defendant jumped up and shouted, “You lie! I didn’t hold it like that, I held it like this!”
Apparently, he had held it sideways like a gangster and didn’t want the jury to get the wrong idea…”- AbdulJahar, Reddit User.
He would have been better quiet and just pleaded guilty. There’s no need for further questioning. The case is won.
22: The Opposing Lawyer Came Unprepared.
“I was prosecuting a contempt action in family court (something that basically never works) and everyone in the room could tell I was winning. The other side was unprepared (out of arrogance) and I was basically ripping this guy to shreds on cross examination (which his lawyer didn’t even think would happen, because he expected the case to be dismissed.)
At the end of the trial, the judge ruled for me and stated that she found the defendant’s testimony to be untrustworthy. I was shocked at winning a contempt trial to begin with, but then this exchange happened:
Defendant’s attorney: “Your honor, now that you have found my client’s testimony to be untrustworthy, I am requesting a continuance in order to prepare further witnesses.” (This concept is shocking in and of itself, because to even think you can bring more witnesses after you rest your case is laughable)
Judge: “You had your shot and you missed, counsel.”
Defendant’s attorney: “Your honor, there was no way I could have anticipated that you’d find my client’s testimony untrustworthy and as such, I didn’t have the opportunity to prepare other witnesses in support of his position”.
Judge: “That may be an argument for your carrier, counsel, but it holds no water with me. See you this afternoon for sentencing.”
For those who didn’t pick up on it, the judge basically told the lawyer ON THE RECORD IN FRONT OF HIS CLIENT that she expects him to get sued for malpractice because he fucked up so royally.
That was mind-blowing on multiple levels.” – Thedurtysanchez, Reddit User.
The lawyer got schooled in front of his client. He must have thought the case was going to be easily won and didn’t bother preparing. Choose your attorney wisely.
23: Own Goal.
“I did jury service back in the 90’s in the U.K., a four-day trial where an estate manager (dude in charge of the farms on a big landowner’s estate) was on trial for growing and distributing cannabis. The police had raided the greenhouses and surrounding land and found tons of weed in all stages of production.
Dude claims that he is addicted to cannabis and because his tolerance is so high after smoking so much for so long that he can only get a buzz from the very tips of the plant, where the THC content is most intense. Asks the court to believe that he just discards the rest of the plant, doesn’t sell it, doesn’t even give it away, just destroys the rest of the crop.
So, it’s the last day of evidence, where both sides sum up their case and remind the jury of the salient points of what’s been said. Dude himself has been quiet and respectful throughout, smart suit, softly spoken, stuck to his answers. I’d say the jury is not buying his claim and as the judge reminds us, it’s not about whether we think it should be legalized, it’s not about whether we think he has even sold the remaining bits of his plants, all we need to find him guilty is to think that beyond reasonable doubt, he had at some point shared a single joint with a friend, and that that was enough to convict him for supply on the counts against him.
So, the jury isn’t buying his story but we are also looking at him thinking he’s quite old, isn’t doing anyone any real harm etc., is unlikely to be running a massive dealing empire. Then on that last day, the public gallery (which has been empty all week) is suddenly full of the most blatantly Stoney stoners you’ve seen in your life.
One of them is even wearing an Adidas “adihash” t-shirt. The jury files in, we sit down, we look at the public gallery and I think it’s safe to say we STARE at them. Defense barrister turns to see what we are looking at and visibly slumps, then glowers at the solicitor and hisses “REALLY???” Such an own goal.” – Noogirl, Reddit User.
It seems the farmer invited his customers to court as witnesses. It’s either that or the prosecutor had enough intel on him and invited them over. That’s the end of the case.
24: Close Call.
“I was the dumbass that almost screwed myself. I had 2 charges in 2 different courts. I accepted the first plea which almost always carries probation but my plea didn’t have that condition.
When it came time to accept the second plea, the prosecutor didn’t include probation because she assumed my first charge put me on probation. She said as much to the judge and me being a big dummy almost corrected her. My lawyer grabbed my shoulder and, I kid you not, told me to “shut the hell up, she doesn’t know.” – Atlastrabeler, Reddit User.
When your enemy is making a mistake, it’s best to keep quiet and watch. They probably forgot that they were going to harm themselves by trying to ‘correct’ the prosecutor. Their lawyer stepped in on time.
25: Never Ask Your Clients Questions You Didn’t Ask Before in Court.
“Never ask a question to which you don’t know the answer. Prosecutor suggested to my client that the canned goods he had burgled were to be used to trade for drugs.
Me thinking the idea ludicrous asked my client whether he has ever traded food for drugs. To which he replied that he once exchanged a frozen chicken for heroin. Needless to say, I didn’t win that one.” – Someluckinvolved, Reddit User.
They were trying to prove a point by asking their client. It was an own goal as their client felt his attorney needed him to come clean. Some questions are to be asked before a court trial and not during.
26: Ended as Fast as It Started.
“NAL, but have been on a number of juries.
Kid was being charged with arson in his high school. First sign of trouble, prosecutor is trying to get the investigator to say something specific. Note: this was a fire investigator.
“What did you see? ”
It was a bathroom.
“Anything else? ”
“Sink? ”
“What else did you see? ”
“Mirrors. ”
“What else? ”
Trash can.
“Anything in the trash can? ”
“Paper towels”
“Anything unusual about the paper towels? ”
“They were burned? ”
“THANK YOU”
Then she calls the co-conspirator who has made a plea deal, who according to opening statements will testify that the kid/ defendant started the fire. The kid spoke and acted like a stoner.
“What happened? ”
“We had some aftershave. We got some paper towels and poured the aftershave on the towels. Then I lit them– I mean he lit them! ”
“Your honor, I’d like a recess. ”
End of trial.” – Xubax, Reddit User.
We can imagine the confused looks on the judge’s face. Everything looks and sounds staged and scripted. There’s no need for further questioning.
27: Witnesses Repeated the Same Phrase.
“I was just interning in court during law school but I’m a lawyer now. Fight in a club, someone had broken someone else’s jaw, and had 6 friends with him that insisted he had been identified wrongly because he never have a beard and the victim said he had a beard.
They used a very specific phrasing to the tune of “My friend doesn’t have facial hair because he is a professional in the food industry and it would go against the regulations”. After three of the witnesses had repeated the same exact phrasing, the judge stopped one to ask if he knew what a couple of the terms in that line meant, and the witness couldn’t explain it.
Defense lawyer got busted for instructing the witnesses. She’d also gotten the defendant to reject a plea deal that exchanged prison time for a fine and community service.” – Vaaaaare, Reddit User.
She forgot to explain what the terms meant too. The judge must have suspected foul play as they all repeated the same phrase. Different witnesses, same phrase…something fishy.
28: Opposing Attorney Died A Night Before.
“Lawyer here! I had a pre-trial conference at 9am at a court about 2 hours away. So, I wake up super early to drive in horrible weather to the conference. I get there and we’re waiting for the other (in town) attorney. All the while I’m grumbling to myself about how I’m from out of town and I can still make it on time.
Finally, the court calls the other attorney’s office and gets a receptionist who tells us through tears that…other attorney passed away the night before. Needless to say, I was just happy to still be alive and we rescheduled for a few months later.” – Goffer06, Reddit User.
Too bad that the opposing attorney died. It gives them more time to prepare. Considering that they were almost in a ‘terrible’ mood.
29: Accused Identifies Himself.
“I’m only in Law School at the moment, but I saw this happen when I was watching a summary (non-jury) trial in my home town about 3 years ago. It was a domestic abuse case, with the partner of the accused being examined.
The prosecutor asked her to identify the person who she accused of attacking her and she refused, or said something along the lines of she didn’t remember. She was clearly scared of the guy, but it seemed like she was trying to protect him on the stand for whatever reason.
Well, that was ruined after the second time she tried to protect him and refuse to identify, as the accused shouted out ‘I’m right here you stupid b*tch’.” – Jazaraz1, Reddit User.
She was quite scared and didn’t want to get in more trouble. However, the accused was too hateful to care. He gave himself away.
30: He Tried to Escape…Via Death.
“Not a Lawyer. Wife is, but she was just watching. Making his statement before the sentencing, the defendant, who molested a step daughter, her friend and a niece, pulled a knife from God knows where, and stabbed himself twice before getting wrestled to the ground.
How he got it through the metal detector, no one knows. He lived through that but died two months later in prison of natural causes.” – DONT_PM_ME_BREASTS, Reddit User.
He already knew the case was a lost one on his side. We still don’t know he got the knife past security. But he still got the death he wanted after staying in prison.