Courtroom Surprise from a Moving Car

A judge in Detroit had some strong words for a woman who logged into her online court hearing while in a moving vehicle. When questioned about her situation, her responses suggested she wasn’t being entirely truthful.

Kimberly Carroll was late to her virtual session in Woodhaven on Monday, starting things off on a bad note. She was facing a claim for nearly $1,800 from LVNV Funding LLC, a consumer loan buyer. Reports indicate the judge wasn’t too pleased with her tardiness.

Judge Michael McNally decided to continue with the hearing without Carroll present, issuing a default judgment that required her to pay the debt and associated fees before she could join the call.

Shortly after, the court clerk noted that an unidentified iPhone was attempting to join the Zoom meeting.

When Carroll finally got admitted, footage showed her seemingly sitting in the car, with her seat belt fastened. After being asked to turn on her camera, she explained, “I was sitting in a room or something and I didn’t realize I was just staring at myself…sorry.”

However, Judge McNally was not amused, asking, “What are you doing?” to which Carroll replied, “I’m not driving, I’m a passenger.”

As the longest-serving judge on Michigan’s 33rd District Court, McNally made it clear he wouldn’t entertain cases involving people operating vehicles. He urged anyone participating to pull over.

Carroll attempted to justify her situation, saying she had urgent family matters and would ask the driver to stop. She even expressed confusion about the rules regarding being in a car during a hearing.

Yet, McNally wasn’t buying it. He questioned her, asking if she was indeed the driver, and remarked on her positioning in the vehicle.

“Am I crazy or don’t you look like you’re driving that car?” he pressed, but Carroll maintained her stance.

Then, when the judge stumbled over his words about which side of the car she was on, Carroll responded, “Left hand…right hand, sorry.”

McNally pointed out the seat belt’s position, suggesting she was lying. When she denied it, he asked her to show the driver. Carroll hesitated, claiming she needed permission to show him, before suddenly getting out of the vehicle.

McNally, incredulous, said, “No, you weren’t on the passenger side. Do you really think I’m that stupid?”

Wrapping up the hearing, he reaffirmed the default judgment and remarked, “You lied to me.” He instructed the clerk to note that Carroll had claimed unavailability during the hearing and had misrepresented her situation.

After the session, Carroll returned to her “passenger seat” and made one final comment about her signing in time, which prompted the judge to summon her back.

“You have an attitude, I’ll tell you that,” McNally responded, concluding the hearing with a wish for her luck.