Lawyers Share Their Most Shocking Cases
On TV, courtrooms seem like well-oiled machines. Lawyers know just what to say to get that perfect piece of testimony. Judges are impartial. Witnesses cry on cue. In real life, though? Not so much.
These court cases are wild rides, from start to finish and I can't stop binge-reading them.
1. A Spectacular Self-Screw
My friend was defending a guy in court. The main witness for the prosecution was on the stand and was asked if she could identify the defendant.
She scanned the courtroom and seemed confused—my friend was already silently celebrating because if she couldn't identify him, he could probably get all charged dropped.
As he was mentally adding this case to the "win" file, he happened to glance over at his client, who had just helpfully raised his hand to make it easier for her to identify him. Even the judge facepalmed on that one.
2. Well That Backfired
One of my father's friends tried to salt the earth before getting divorced. A rental house and a cabin were deeded to relatives, their cars were sold for tiny sums, stocks handed over to a trust "for the children," etc. Husband vanished a chunk of cash from the company he co-owned with his wife using phony invoices. The guy even stopped paying himself a salary, electing to burn through their personal savings instead. This was all a huge mistake.
He learned that judges really, really hate when you try to hide or intentionally diminish assets, and they will absolutely refer you to prosecutors for fraud.
I don't think he did any jail time in the end, but his ex-wife got EVERYTHING, plus the satisfaction of firing him from his own company.
3. You Just Played Yourself
Not the worst, but one that sticks out something they did to themselves. Woman shows up to court in an "It's party time! Drink up!" t-shirt. She was there for her first appearance on a third DUI charge. Judge was not in a humorous mood that day.
4. There's Always a But
This guy wanted custody over his children after a divorce, but his wife was accusing him of physical harassment. He was asked if he had ever laid his hands on his wife, and he straight-up said: "Yes, but only when she annoyed me."
I was ready to leave the courtroom and laugh.
