A lot has changed since the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Many counties, especially those affected, implemented safety health protocols to prevent the further spread of the deadly virus. And now, we are living in a world where facemask and frequent handwashing are a must.

Aside from all these, there’s also social distancing, thus resulting in a lot of then face-to-face meetings or engagements to transition to “virtual”. Numerous schools resorted to online or virtual classes, sports events, concerts, tv shows, and many others are now done virtually. It’s just among the many changes on this so-called “new normal”.

Would you believe that even court proceedings are now being done virtually? Yes, it is! In fact, in a now viral video, one lawyer cracked the whole world when he accidentally turned on a kitten filter during a virtual court hearing.

It’s a virtual court hearing that will be surely written on the books.

In the 394th district of Texas, Lawyer Rod Ponton had everyone baffled when he joined virtual court proceedings via Zoom with a kitten filter turned on. In a video of the funny incident, the cat’s eyes moved and even twitched, and its mouth moved as well when Ponton talks.

Hon. Judge Roy B. Ferguson immediately said:

“Mr. Ponton I believe you have a filter turned on in your video settings.”

To which Lawyer Ponton responded:

“Can you hear me judge?”

Ponton was obviously puzzled with what’s happening so, Hon. Judge Roy B. Ferguson tried to let him know that it’s just a filter.

“I can hear you,” Judge Ferguson said. “I think it’s a filter.”

Ponton struggled to turn the filter off but since it’s a live stream of their virtual court proceedings, he’s ready to let a young feline be his avatar.

“It is and I don’t know how to remove it,” Ponton said. “I’ve got my assistant here and she’s trying to remove it but uh … I’m prepared to go forward with it. I’m here live. I’m not a cat.”

When asked by VICE about what happened during their virtual court hearing, Ponton said:

“Oh, that was just a mistake by my secretary. I was using her computer and for some reason, she had that filter on. I took it off and replaced it with my face. It was a case involving a man trying to exit the United States with contraband and contraband cash. All it was was a mistake. It was taken off and we had the hearing as normal.”

While Gibbs Bauer, also one of the attorneys during the incident said:

“Have no idea what caused that. Probably just a computer glitch.”

A lesson learned indeed.

Judge Ferguson also posted a tweet after the hearing, alongside the funny video, he wrote:

“IMPORTANT ZOOM TIP: If a child used your computer, before you join a virtual hearing check the Zoom Video Options to be sure filters are off,” he said. “This kitten just made a formal announcement on a case in the 394th (sound on).”

He also added:

“These fun moments are a by-product of the legal profession’s dedication to ensuring that the justice system continues to function in these tough times. Everyone involved handled it with dignity, and the filtered lawyer showed incredible grace. True professionalism all around!”

No one could’ve said it any better than Judge Ferguson.

The video was posted online and to no surprise, it went viral!

It’s on Twitter with 34.1 million views and 9.1 million views on YouTube. The funny mishap sure made a lot of people giggling. Now that everyone is done virtually, expect more of these Zoom meeting “bloopers” every now and then.

Make sure to watch the funny incident below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Daily Dot, YouTube/394th District Court of Texas – Live Stream, Vice, Twitter/Lawrence Hurley, Twitter/Judge Roy Ferguson