# Perils of Zoom trials : “Your Honour, I am not a cat.” **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 9, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549 "2021-02-09T19:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/21 "2021-02-09T22:51:48Z")
YouTube link, slightly longer. Opposing counsel at the top of teh image does a really good job keeping his poker face on, but right at the end he starts to grin. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/KxlPGPupdd8/maxresdefault.jpg "Kitten Zoom Filter Mishap") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxlPGPupdd8) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/22 "2021-02-09T23:00:53Z")
The funniest thing about this is how they all strain to remain professional. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/23 "2021-02-09T23:02:45Z")
Well, of course. You don’t laugh at your learned friend in court just because he turned into a virtual cat. The laughter is normally reserved for the drinks at the bar afterwards. Can’t do that in covid-time, of course. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/24 "2021-02-09T23:14:46Z")
Umm… The Zoomcat lawyer is funny… But right there, in the upper left corner, is the disclaimer: "Recording of this hearing or live stream is prohibited. Violation may constitute contempt of court and result in a fine of up to $500 and a jail term of up to 180 days." So, how are we seeing this? Who recorded it and why aren’t they facing contempt charges? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/25 "2021-02-09T23:17:46Z")
I gotta say, that is a damned good filter. I mean, that guy is a giant kitten (with slightly eerie eyes). He’s not morphing back and forth from “human lawyer” to “giant kitten”; you don’t see a human lawyer kind of flickering or “phasing” into and out of existence… Nope, just a giant (sort of worried looking) kitten, earnestly assuring us he is not, in fact, a cat. > [@gdave](#): > > So, how are we seeing this? Who recorded it and why aren’t they facing contempt charges? Courtesy of [Lowering The Bar](https://loweringthebar.net/2021/02/cat-appears-for-hearing-after-zoom-filter-mishap.html): > [@](#): > > As others (including the judge) have pointed out, this is the sort of thing that could happen to anyone, which is why the judge says he released it for “educational purposes”: > > > [@](#): > > > > Media outlets, you may use the video. It was recorded during a virtual hearing in the 394th DC of TX, and released for educational purposes. It is crucial that this not be used to mock the lawyers, but instead to exemplify the legal community’s dedication to the cause of justice. > > > > — Judge Roy Ferguson (@JudgeFergusonTX) [February 9, 2021](https://twitter.com/JudgeFergusonTX/status/1359250939312566272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/26 "2021-02-09T23:21:38Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/27 "2021-02-09T23:43:27Z")
> [@](#): > > It is crucial that this not be used to mock the lawyers, but instead to exemplify the legal community’s dedication to the cause of justice. Pull the other one, Judge, it’s got bells on it. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/28 "2021-02-10T00:16:59Z")
It is a great filter! I laughed at the “ I’m not a cat.” and the judge saying “ I can see that…”. Really? ‘Cause I see a cat. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/29 "2021-02-10T00:19:41Z")
It’s amazing how much emotion the filter puts into the kitten’s face. The eye movement was enhanced by the filter. Kids always learn about software settings long before most adults. I guess the last child’s zoom call used the kitten. Funny stuff. Thanks for posting. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/30 "2021-02-10T00:31:23Z")
The sad thing is, I could see that happening to me, the techno-peasant lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/31 "2021-02-10T00:33:17Z")
I laugh every time I watch when the judge says “I believe you have a filter” and the cat looks down, suddenly worried. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/32 "2021-02-10T00:43:12Z")
I see why the attorney was confused. The kitten is coming from a Snap Camera filter. You may have to turn it off in that App. I was curious what it requires to become a kitten. Zoom has filters like Sepia, adjust for low light etc. Things that enhance your appearance in various lighting. > **['I am not a cat': Find and use the infamous lawyer cat filter everyone's...](https://www.cnet.com/culture/internet/i-am-not-a-cat-find-and-use-the-infamous-lawyer-cat-filter-everyones-talking-about/)** > > Feeling inspired by the lawyer who accidentally appeared as a cat in a legal proceeding over Zoom? We'll show you how to hunt down and apply the filter, too. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/33 "2021-02-10T00:48:39Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > It is crucial that this not be used to mock the lawyers, but instead to exemplify the legal community’s dedication to the cause of justice. > > Pull the other one, Judge, it’s got bells on it. > > 😊 And we all know how lawyers react to things that sort of dangle or hang down and have bells on them! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/34 "2021-02-10T00:48:48Z")
An interview with the cat: > **Did you panic when your face was a big-eyed cat?** > > Well, I was just embarrassed. You try to present your best face to the district judge, instead of an image of a cat. > … > > **If you were to pick an animal that you would want to use as your filter in court, would it be a cat or would you go with a different animal?** > > Uh … for today, I’ll stick with a cat. > > **Do you have any pets at home?** > > A little dog. > > **So you wouldn’t want to be a dog in court?** > > I don’t know. I don’t usually try to portray myself as an animal. This is all new to me. > **[“Stuff Happens”: The West Texas Lawyer Who Appeared as a Big-Eyed Kitten in...](https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/02/zoom-court-cat-video-interview.html)** > > "You try to present your best face to the district judge, instead of an image of a cat." ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/35 "2021-02-10T00:54:20Z")
It also occurred to me that this could tie in with the whole [“Lawyer Dog” case](https://loweringthebar.net/2017/11/lawyer-dog.html) (which _was_ kind of funny, but also pretty appalling). “You want a lawyer dog? Well, with the right Zoom filter, I’m sure we can accommodate your request!” ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/36 "2021-02-10T11:44:09Z")
I guess you could call this “fake mews.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/37 "2021-02-10T16:36:57Z")
“Let the record reflect that opposing counsel is playing adorably with a ball of yarn.” > **[At first, cat lawyer was embarrassed. Then he realized we all could use a laugh.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/02/09/cat-lawyer-zoom-filter/)** > > As far as courtroom disclosures, this one was unique: “I’m not a cat.” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/38 "2021-02-10T21:42:39Z")
Courtesy of one of my friends, who noted the accent: > [@](#): > > Catticus Finch ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/39 "2021-02-11T01:50:13Z")
One of the bookstore cats in my area is called catticus. I also call my big fat cat catticus upon occasion. Great cat name. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perils-of-zoom-trials-your-honour-i-am-not-a-cat/932549/40 "2021-02-11T03:40:09Z")
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