'There is a guy in Zoom court literally going through the car wash': 20+ Zoom court mishaps

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Apr 8, 2024 11:00 AM EDT

Zoom is very useful for some things, but it's really best to go to court in person if you can. It was a necessity during the dark years of the early 2020s, when we all needed to stay indoors and protect ourselves from illness. We suddenly found ourselves having Zoom holidays, with forty family members all trying to talk at once from their separate dining rooms. Instead of going to school in person, the kids spent a while getting their education via screens. Even things like doctor's appointments could now be done from the comfort of our own homes. 

There was no exception for people who were going through the legal system at the time. Instead of pushing back court dates indefinitely, people were instructed to call in to a trial or a court date via Zoom. Even their lawyers called in via the video calling app! It didn't go smoothly all the time… even though we're supposed to take court very seriously, a lot of Zoom callers just couldn't be bothered. I guess court would seem less intimidating if you're sitting on your couch drinking a smoothie while chatting with your lawyer. Some folks did a lot worse than that, as you can check out down below. 

Up next, this barista is confused and frustrated by their manager's double standards. 

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  • 01
    'I was the lawyer doing a Zoom trial...I had to ask for a recess because my neighbor's pig had wandered into my yard and I had to lure it back... with a banana' L . 9 " C V B N M K L P
    via Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
  • 02
    Poussey En Bio @420AttyChicago Law partner just reported there is a guy in Zoom court literally going through the car wash right now. Where is the weirdest thing you have seen in Zoom court?
    via @420AttyChicago
  • 03
    Kenneth Blanford @BlanfordLaw I was logged into zoom and working on something else when I heard the judge say "sir you are in court put a shirt on!"
    via @BlanfordLaw
  • 04
    Just EMO @OLearyErin I was the lawyer doing a zoom trial from home during the pandemic and I had to ask for a recess because my neighbor's pig had wandered into my yard and I had to lure it back to its home with a banana.
    via @OLearyErin
  • 05
    Aaron M. Kinser @AaronK_MN It was Oct. 2020 (C). My client was late, so I messaged her to remind her. She responded, “Is it okay if I'm wearing a mask?” I answered, “of course, that is fine." She jumps on with a full green facial mask with only her eyes clear. Prosecutor and I both stifled laughs.
    via @AaronK_MN
  • 06
    GSU @GsuGrinding Lawyer sitting in his car eating a Checker's chili dog during calendar call.
    via @GsuGrinding
  • 07
    Cami Smith Allen @camismith Not court. But once had a truancy meeting with a family. And the mom did her hair and makeup AND THEN CHANGED HER SHIRT. while on the call.
    via @camismith
  • 08
    lawl_assoc @Lawl Assoc The big law attorney doing oral argument while actively driving.
    via @Lawl_Assoc
  • 09
    Yeah I Said It @ASK_DST In a bouncy kids play facility. Sort of caught on after seeing little faces peaking up continuously
    via @ASK_DST
  • 10
    Nick Petree @Petree09 Was in Pl hearing in fed court. Judge setup breakout for sidebar but said he needed a break b4 starting. While waiting I pulled up the WAP video that came out that day to see the fuss. Judge entered early, I hit mute/unmute buttons in wrong order, so judge got about 10 sec of WAP
    via @Petree09
  • 11
    Fully Automated Lu @hashed_tags In Ohio we had a legislator join a committee hearing while driving, and I believe the committee meeting was about distracted driving. Does zoom making laws count?
    via @hashed_tags
  • 12
    jsutherland.bsky.s @LadyJury Dedlock Pro se guy who appeared with no shirt but a lobster bib on. No clue what was happening and nobody wanted to open that door
    via @LadyJuryDedlock
  • 13
    Not Any Use @NotAnyUse A woman went downstairs (carrying her phone with her), opened the fridge, made herself a nice salad, brought it back upstairs, and ate it, while waiting for her case to be called.
    via @NotAnyUse
  • 14
    war cardinal @DatBeachBoy Wasn't zoom court, but was late COVID era when everything was STILL on Zoom: I had a lady who was interviewing for a senior attorney position who did the interview laying in bed with, I think, a SpongeBob bonnet and a messy nightstand. She did not get a second interview.
    via @DatBeachBoy
  • 15
    BrunetteWreck @greeneyedbklyn That is amazing. I had an opponent appear via Zoom and there was a lady in the background we assumed was an assistant. IT WAS HIS CLIENT. She fiddled with papers and did not appear to be listening to the proceedings until it became clear they were losing.
    via @greeneyedbklyn
  • 16
    Catherine @WildeMagnolias The most innocuous: A guy literally painting a wall.
    via @WildeMagnolias
  • 17
    Rhonda Anderson @Rhondaesq My first Zoom hearing I laid my suit out the night before, got the lighting/background just right and told everyone in my house to be quiet. The hearing officer was in his childhood room wearing a LED Zeppelin tshirt. My son never let me live that down.
    via @Rhondaesq
  • 18
    It's Me @SomeCallMeCap Speaking with (I thought) defendant, she says "hold on, talk to my mom". Next thing I know, she's handing the phone to her mom who is IN THE BATHTUB
    via @SomeCallMeCap
  • 19
    Bitter Synesthesite @mercurialjove Hmm, tied between 1) Counsel appearing for a Zoom mediation on a golf retreat in The Bahamas with a retired Judge of the same court, both wearing only swim trunks and polo shirts. 2) an active bank robbery. Tied only because the bank robbery was in MY background.
    via @mercurialjove
  • 20
    freehawk @RayChas52 I deposed a lady who was in bed with covers pulled to chin.
    via @RayChas52
  • 21
    CJB @cjbinmd I saw a well-known federal circuit judge walk away from the computer to take a cell phone call -- still on camera, a few feet away from the computer (but away from the microphone) -- right in the middle of someone's argument. (Granted, it doesn't beat the car wash or the cat.)
    via @cjbinmd
  • 22
    SALTY Hellina Handbaske @m3houston Jurors walking room to room with their laptop/ipad as a witness testifies. Juror painting while witness testifies.
    via @m3houston
  • 23
    Laura is on Mastod @bowman_law Judge shouting at his barking dog under the table constantly *during submissions*.
    via @bowman_law
  • 24
    Liz Homsy @Lizzidi No question it was the lawyer who showed up without a shirt on and clearly in bed still...followed closely by the client who showed up to an expungement hearing with a shirt that said "the Police"...there have been some wild ones though...
    via @Lizzidi
  • 25
    therealdavearno @therealdavearn1 Well there's the obvious, of course II GIF ALT Zoom ponton
    via @therealdavearn1

    Who could forget this classic moment? 

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