In the world of television courtrooms, few things are more entertaining than a defendant who believes their own logic is bulletproof—only to have it dismantled by the sharp tongue of Judge Judy. Such was the case for a young woman named Precious, whose “polite” request to have a seat ended in a very expensive judgment.
The Great German Shepherd Scare
The story began on a quiet April evening around 7:30 PM. Roderick Harpe was at his cousin’s house, busy inspecting a car engine. The scene was typical of a neighborhood gathering: a group of six or seven guys hanging out, working on cars, and enjoying the spring air.
Suddenly, the mundane turned into a comedy of errors. A neighbor’s German Shepherd managed to slip its leash and began sprinting across the street. While Roderick stood his ground, holding his two-year-old child and feeling perfectly safe near a man holding a large pipe, the rest of the group scattered.
According to Roderick, the defendant, Precious, panicked. Thinking the dog was a vicious beast (though Roderick insists it was a “friendly dog”), she looked for the highest ground she could find: the hood of Roderick’s fiancee’s car.
“Can I Have a Seat?”
When Precious took the stand, her version of the story added a layer of audacity that left the courtroom in stitches. She didn’t claim she was fleeing for her life from a ferocious canine. Instead, she claimed she walked up to the car and asked, “Can I have a seat on your car while I talk to my husband?”
Judge Judy was incredulous. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard,” she barked. “23-year-olds should know better than to say, ‘Can I sit on your car?'”
Precious, undeterred, doubled down: “I mean, if somebody wanted to sit on my car, they would definitely have to ask me.”
The “Stoop” vs. The “Hood”
The lecture that followed was classic Judy. She advised the defendant to sit on a stoop, sit on her hands, or find a chair—but never, under any circumstances, to use someone else’s vehicle as furniture.
To prove her point, Judge Judy turned to the gallery and asked how many people regularly sat on the hoods of other people’s cars. The result? Not a single hand was raised.
The logic was simple: Metal has limits. Judge Judy pointed out that Precious was a “very nice lady” with a “very nice shape,” but that putting that kind of weight on thin sheet metal is a recipe for disaster. It’s the same reason you don’t let a toddler jump on a car—it dents.
Precious’s final defense? “My car was gone at the time.”
The logic was clear: Since her own car wasn’t available to sit on, Roderick’s was the next best thing.
The Verdict
The laughs ended abruptly when Roderick produced the repair estimate. The “seat” on the hood had caused $1,300 worth of damage.
Judge Judy didn’t need to hear another word. Her head was “full” of the defendant’s nonsense. With a swift bang of the gavel, she awarded the plaintiff the full $1,300.
The lesson of the day: If you need a rest, find a bench. Your neighbor’s car hood is a very expensive place to park your pride.
