While all eyes were on the start of the Senate’s impeachment trial today, another legal proceeding that was far more worth watching was taking place in Texas.

Lawyer Rod Ponton joined the virtual court hearing via Zoom for a case being heard before the 394th District Court in Texas and was promptly alerted by presiding Judge Roy Ferguson that he was showing up on the screen as a cat:

The clip commences with Ponton already rendered a cat, and Ferguson trying to troubleshoot the problem.

“I believe you have a filter turned on in the video settings,” said Ferguson. “You might want to, uh, take a look.”

The flustered “feline” assured Ferguson that his team was trying to remove the filter — but that he was willing to proceed with the case with or without whiskers.

“I don’t know how to remove it. I’ve got my assistant here, she’s trying to. But I’m prepared to go forward with it,” said Ponton. “I’m here live. I’m not a cat.”

“I can… I can see that,” Ferguson replied.

Watch the viral video below. Note: Judge Ferguson can be heard but not seen in the clip:

“I’m here live, I’m not a cat,” says lawyer after Zoom filter mishap

“I can see that,” responds judge pic.twitter.com/HclKlAUwbM

— Lawrence Hurley (@lawrencehurley) February 9, 2021

I’ve never used alternative filters like this for virtual calls and had no idea that a person’s expressions could be seen through the filter. LOL.

It was Ferguson who first tweeted the video along with an “important Zoom tip” for those who have children or grandchildren who may have used the computer before they did:

IMPORTANT ZOOM TIP: If a child used your computer, before you join a virtual hearing check the Zoom Video Options to be sure filters are off. This kitten just made a formal announcement on a case in the 394th (sound on). #lawtwitter #OhNo @zoom_ushttps://t.co/I0zaj0wu6K

— Judge Roy Ferguson (@JudgeFergusonTX) February 9, 2021

The judge went on to point out how the video was indicative of how the legal profession was continuing to try and go about business as usual even while COVID restrictions are still in place to varying degrees across the country:

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

— Judge Roy Ferguson (@JudgeFergusonTX) February 9, 2021

Because using video or screen grabs of such videos is normally prohibited, the judge expressly gave his permission for others to use it provided people didn’t use it to make fun of the lawyer:

Media outlets, you may use the video. It was recorded during a virtual hearing in the 394th DC of TX, and released for educational purposes. It is crucial that this not be used to mock the lawyers, but instead to exemplify the legal community’s dedication to the cause of justice.

— Judge Roy Ferguson (@JudgeFergusonTX) February 9, 2021

I mean the images from it alone were just priceless:

I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard 🤣. That cat like ‘Oh F’… pic.twitter.com/3yUENbiy3f

— Desirée (@DesireeMoffitt) February 9, 2021

It was at this point, the cat knew his cover was blown pic.twitter.com/rzyjshIOX8

— Justin (@J_Troc_71) February 9, 2021

Vice caught up with Ponton later and it was clear the lawyer was not in the mood to joke about it:

Reached by phone by Motherboard, Ponton said he was unaware that the court had posted this video and was concerned it had his name on it.

“Oh, that was just a mistake by my secretary,” he said. “I was using her computer and for some reason she had that filter on. I took it off and replaced it with my face. It was a case involving a man trying to exit the United States with contraband and contraband cash. All it was was a mistake. It was taken off and we had the hearing as normal.”

Aww. Forget “normal.” If we can have clowns argue impeachment cases before the Senate, we can have cats show up for court proceedings in Texas and represent their clients. Amirite??