My Cousin Vinny

The Law Lord

This is not the forum to be cavaIier.

The Arraignment

is the first the Law Lord hears about an accusation of breach of the peace that jury trial may be used to resolve. a defendant is brought before the Court. the crime of which the defendant will be accused is articulated to the defendant in open court. the court demands the defendant’s plea, either guilty (which requires no trial) or ‘not guilty’ (which requires trial). if trial is required the court then deals with bail.

Now… the next words out of your mouth|are either gonna be ”guiIty” or ”not guiIty”.
I don’t wanna hear commentary,|argument or opinion.
If I hear anything other than|”guiIty” or ”not guiIty”,…
..you’II be in contempt.
I don’t even wanna hear you cIear your throat.
I hope I’ve been cIear.
Now… how do your clients pIead?

I think I get the point.

No. I don’t think you do.
You’re now in contempt of court.
– Will you go for two counts of contempt?

|- Not guiIty.

Thank you.
– Bail will be set at $200,000.|- (strikes gavel)

The Preliminary Hearing