Approach the bench please, Mr Tiddles: Zoom filter makes lawyer look like cat

Video court hearing in Texas takes turn when lawyer turns up looking like kitten

This image from video shows a hearing from the 394th Judicial District Court of Texas. The hearing took a detour when an attorney showed up looking like a kitten. A filter that had been activated on the attorney's device obscured his appearance and made him look like a cat. Judge Roy Ferguson shared the short video clip of the mishap on YouTube. The judge says everyone involved handled the situation with professionalism and grace. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP)Show less

A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings by Zoom: always check for filters before logging on.

Judge Roy Ferguson’s warning comes after a lawyer accidentally joined a Tuesday video conference for a civil court hearing while using a Zoom filter that made him appear like a fluffy white kitten.

“I’m here live. I’m not a cat,” Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton said.

“I can see that,” replied Mr Ferguson, whose district covers five counties in West Texas, including the town of Marfa from which Mr Ponton was calling.

The short video clip, which was shared online by Mr Ferguson, ends with others coaching the lawyer on how to remove the cat filter.

“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," the judge said on Twitter.

"Everyone involved handled it with dignity and the filtered lawyer showed incredible grace. True professionalism all around!”

Mr Ponton said he had fielded calls from around the world and was booked for national television.

“I always wanted to be famous for being a great lawyer," he told AP. "Now I’m famous for appearing in court as a cat."