A local judge in Michigan faced a vexing situation when a defendant appeared via Zoom from the passenger seat of her car—and claimed she wasn’t driving.

Kimberly Carroll, facing a hearing over unpaid debts, joined the virtual session late. When she finally appeared, Judge Michael McNally noticed something amiss: she was on the left-hand side of what seemed to be an American vehicle, and had a seatbelt across her body from left to right.

“Am I crazy or does it not look like you are driving that car?” he asked. Carroll insisted she was just a passenger and claimed she hadn’t realised until now which side she appeared on the screen.

The judge, clearly exasperated but meticulously documenting his observations, pressed further: “How would you be on the left-hand side if you’re a passenger in the front seat? Am I missing something?”

Carroll corrected herself, saying it was her right-hand side. The car continued to drive down the road, its occupants apparently oblivious to their court appearance.