A Metro Detroit woman is at the center of a viral video after she was caught driving during a virtual court appearance, and then lying to the judge about it.
Kimberly D. Carroll was scheduled for a hearing in 33rd District Court in Woodhaven before Judge Michael K. McNally on Wednesday, March 25, when the incident took place.
After phoning in late without her screen on, Carroll turned on her camera, and it became immediately clear she was inside a moving vehicle.
“You cannot be driving,” McNally said. “Ma’am, what are you doing? Come on.”
Carroll insisted she was not driving but was instead a passenger.
“I’m not driving. I’m a passenger in a car,” Carroll said. “I will pull over right now.”
McNally was not convinced.
The seatbelt visible on screen appeared to be coming from the driver’s side, and Carroll was seated on the left-hand side of the vehicle.
“How would you be on the left-hand side if you’re a passenger in the front seat?” McNally asked. “Am I missing something?”
McNally then asked Carroll to show him the driver of the vehicle to verify her claim.
“Let me see the driver,” McNally said.
Carroll hesitated.
“I have to ask their permission,” Carroll said.
McNally was blunt in his assessment.
“You know, you’re lying to me, right?” McNally said. “You think I’m that stupid?”
Carroll denied lying, but McNally had seen enough.
Before Carroll had even appeared on camera, McNally had already entered a default judgment against her after she failed to check in on time.
The case, LVMV Funding vs. Kimberly D. Carroll, involved a claimed debt of $1,788.80, plus $75 in court costs and a $585 service fee, for a total judgment of $1,921.85.
After Carroll’s denial and refusal to show the driver, McNally entered a default judgment citing her conduct.
“You lied to me,” McNally said. “Judgment $1,921.85. The defendant was not available at the time and then was driving a car and telling the court she was not.”
Carroll pushed back, claiming she had signed in at 1:30 p.m.
“Well, you got an attitude with you, I’ll tell you that,” McNally said. “I’m not putting up with your merit nonsense. Good luck to you.”
The exchange was recorded and quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread attention for both Carroll’s conduct and McNally’s sharp, no-nonsense handling of the situation.