Courtroom Drama

So I'll go ahead and admit it - I love those cheesy courtroom shows that run during the day. My favorite is Judge Mathis - he's sharp, funny and doesn't cut anyone any slack - ever! My husband records him during the day and we watch it at night. Judge Mathis' intro even says "the people are real, the cases are real....." And that's where the scary part comes in.

1. Why do people get cell phones for other people? Hello! You can get a prepaid phone if your credit is that bad. Why in the world do people think someone with credit so bad they can't get a cell phone is actually going to give them the money for the bill. At least 70% of the cases I see involve a cell phone bill as all or part of the settlement. Sometimes it's a cell phone for a family member or boyfriend/girlfriend. Sometimes it's for a co-worker and her son (huh?) All these people are adults, mind you.

2. In the cases of owing money, almost every single time someone was supposed to pay "when they got their tax refund." These people treat the IRS like Bank of America. Why the heck are you paying in all year to get money back? The IRS is investing your money in the meantime while you could have the money in your pocket paying off bills monthly and not creating Judge Mathis court cases for default.

But last night was the clincher. A guy sued his girlfriend for destruction of property because he was hoochying with women on stage in a club (he's in a band). The girlfriend took a knife to his guitar and admitted it. What the boyfriend failed to admit is that he dumped her clothes in the bathtub after the guitar incident and poured bleach on them. His argument was that he had paid for the clothes. The girlfriend said once he gave them to her they were a gift and therefore, hers. So the judge asks the guy if he bought the clothes for her. And he gave the most classic line I've ever heard by someone who knows they're losing and is still reaching. He said "She was given authority to wear them."

I almost fell off the couch. Like anyone's going to buy off on that one. The clothes are mine but she had permission to wear them. Pleeeeaaassseeee. Hell, he couldn't even say it without laughing. But you have to give him points for creativity.