A virtual court hearing abruptly arrived in southwest Texas on Tuesday, when a lawyer inadvertently appeared on the screen like a cat generated by a computer filter.
The mundane civil confiscation hearing took a hilarious turnaround when Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton arrived at Zoom’s courthouse in the form of a fluffy white and brown kitten.
For about a little awkward but mostly funny seconds, Ponton struggled to remove the filter.
With other lawyers on the screen smiling wryly, Judge 394th District Court Judge Roy Ferguson tried to trick Ponton with the keystrokes. Ponton said he was ready to proceed even in his feline form.
“I’m prepared to go ahead. I’m here live, I’m not a cat,” said Ponton.
Ferguson laughed at the kitten court catastrophe and praised all the lawyers involved.
“If a child used his computer, before entering a virtual audience, check Zoom’s video options to make sure the filters are turned off,” tweeted Ferguson. “This kitten just made a formal announcement about a case in the 394th century.”
Ponton said he was forced to use his secretary’s computer because the office was in the middle of a move.
“If I could make everyone laugh at my expense, I would be happy to do that,” Ponton told NBC News hours after the hearing. “It is an example of what can happen in our computer-connected world.”
The judge said lawyers are like millions of other Americans, trying to make the most of the unconventional work environments caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“These fun moments are a by-product of the legal profession’s dedication to ensuring that the justice system continues to function in these difficult times,” tweeted Ferguson. “Everyone involved dealt with it with dignity, and the filtered lawyer showed incredible grace. True professionalism in all aspects!”
Bianca Britton contributed.