A Michigan judge delivered a scathing rebuke during a virtual court hearing, suspecting a participant of driving while logged in. The case stemmed from a $1,788 debt claim, complicated by a late appearance and a rapidly escalating exchange.
Kimberly Carroll joined the Zoom hearing late, identified only as “iPhone,” and immediately seemed disoriented. She apologized for the delay, admitting she’d been “staring at herself” while attempting to navigate the platform.
The situation quickly turned critical when Carroll’s camera activated, revealing she was seated in a vehicle, a seatbelt clearly visible. Judge Michael McNally immediately challenged her, demanding to know if she was driving.
Carroll insisted she was merely a passenger, but the judge remained unconvinced. He firmly stated he would not conduct a hearing with anyone in a moving vehicle and instructed her to pull over.
Carroll claimed a family emergency necessitated her travel and promised her “driver” would stop the car. However, the judge’s skepticism grew as he pointed out details suggesting she was, in fact, behind the wheel.
“Am I crazy, or does it not look like you’re driving that car?” McNally pressed, his voice sharp. Carroll continued to deny driving, maintaining her passenger status.
The judge relentlessly questioned her position in the car, noting the seatbelt originated from the driver’s side. He directly accused her of lying, a charge she vehemently denied.
McNally demanded to see the driver, but Carroll hesitated, stating she needed their permission to show them on camera. This further fueled the judge’s suspicion and frustration.
Moments later, Carroll appeared to exit the vehicle, a clear indication she had been the driver all along. The judge, visibly exasperated, confronted her: “No, you weren’t on the passenger side. Do you think I’m that stupid?”
Without further delay, McNally entered a default judgment against Carroll, totaling just over $1,900 including fees. He stated the court record would reflect her initial unavailability and subsequent appearance from a vehicle while denying she was driving.
As the hearing concluded, Carroll attempted to justify her late sign-in, stating she’d logged on at 1:30. The judge responded with a dismissive remark about her attitude, offering a curt “Good luck to you.”
