In a recent Colorado Court of Appeals hearing, a courtroom livestream captured an awkward moment when attorney William Kozeliski mistakenly referred to Judge Elizabeth L. Harris as “honey” during his arguments regarding the case People v Delgato. The error occurred as Kozeliski was responding to a question from the judge, leading to an immediate apology.
The moment quickly went viral on social media platform Bluesky, receiving thousands of views. In the clip, after addressing the judge with the informal term, Kozeliski realized his blunder and repeatedly apologized, saying, “I’m sorry, your honour. I’ve just been totally thrown by my mistake.” Judge Harris, showing understanding, replied to him, “Yeah, I can imagine. I’m a little thrown by that also, if I’m being honest.”
Despite the initial tension, the exchange ended on a lighter note, with Kozeliski noting, “My brain didn’t turn on and I apologise profusely.” The judge accepted his apology, which helped diffuse the awkwardness of the moment.
Such blunders in the courtroom, while embarrassing, often serve as reminders of the human element present in legal proceedings, illustrating that even professionals can have slip-ups. This particular incident has garnered attention not only for its humor but also for the way it highlights the relationship between judges and attorneys, showing that moments of levity can exist even in serious contexts.
As this situation navigates through the potential for embarrassment, it can foster a more relatable and understanding environment in the courtroom, reminding all involved that mistakes are part of the human experience.