Previously, Bored Panda spoke with the creator of the Overheard Courthouse Instagram account who said that it all started with @attorney.memes in 2018.
“While I was growing that account, I decided to start an account similar to the likes of @overheardla and @overheardnewyork that would detail all the unusual things that are heard in courtrooms,” the creator told us.
At first, the page was posting transcripts of trials collected from various websites they found online. But when the account grew in popularity, the followers began sending them transcripts from their own depositions/trials and unusual statements that they had personally heard. “So the account started to form its own identity,” the creator recounted.
The person who runs Overheard Courthouse argues that the reason why courtrooms are the perfect place for hilarious conversations is that there is the clash between the etiquette that’s required in a courtroom vs. life outside the courtroom.
Moreover, according to the creator, “Many people outside of the justice system aren’t aware that there’s a certain demeanor expected while in the presence of the court that differs from today’s social norms which tend to be more informal.” When you put someone who’s not familiar with the etiquette that is expected in a courtroom, it makes for some hilarious moments.
The creator explained further: “These individuals are usually known in the U.S. justice system as being 'pro se' or 'pro per' depending on the jurisdiction. The submissions involving pro pers are some of the funniest ones because not only do you have someone who may not be familiar with courtroom etiquette, but they’re placing themselves in a position where they’re not trained or experienced to handle their case and all the complexities and nuances that may come with it, which leads to some hilarious moments,” they told us in a previous interview.
