Lawyer Accidentally Calls Judge ‘Honey’ During Courtroom Argument in Viral TikTok Video
- A Colorado attorney left viewers cringing and chuckling after accidentally calling a judge "honey" during a livestreamed court session
- The awkward moment, captured during a serious legal hearing, sparked stunned reactions both in the courtroom and online
- Social media users compared the cringeworthy slip to calling your teacher "mom" but way worse
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Denver – A Colorado courtroom was left in stunned silence, and later, stifled chuckles, after a lawyer addressing a judge during a high-stakes case accidentally called her "honey."
Source: TikTok
Attorney William Kozeliski was mid-argument during a live-streamed hearing in the Colorado Court of Appeals when the slip occurred.
William Kozeliski's slip of the tongue
He was presenting remarks in People versus Delgado, a case re-evaluating the defendant’s consecutive prison sentences, when the pressure of the moment got the best of him.
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Stammering in response to Judge Elizabeth L. Harris' probing questions, Kozeliski visibly flustered and blurted,
“But, but honey—,” before recoiling at his own words as the courtroom visibly reacted.
Harris’ eyes widened in disbelief, while Judge Terry Fox, seated beside her, and members of the jury tried to suppress their reactions.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry,” Kozeliski gasped, launching into a stumbling apology that consumed the remainder of his time on the stand. “I don’t even know what to say to that, I apologise.”
William Kozeliski apologised for mistake
Though Judge Harris attempted to steer him back to the legal point he was making, Kozeliski struggled to regain composure.
“Um, the question here is what happened. I’m sorry, I’ve just been totally thrown,” he admitted, still visibly rattled.
Judge Harris, maintaining a measured tone, replied,
“Yeah, I can imagine. I’m a little thrown by that also, if I’m being honest.”
Judge accepts William Kozeliski's apology
When Kozeliski failed to refocus, Harris ultimately took over the discussion, offering her legal analysis as the attorney stood awkwardly silent.
He only managed a single relevant statement before asking to apologise again before stepping down.
“I accept your apology,” Harris said while scribbling notes.
“Okay. I don’t know what to say. My brain didn’t turn on and I apologise profusely,” Kozeliski muttered sheepishly.
Social media reactions
The incident, broadcast live and now circulating widely online, has stirred reactions ranging from secondhand embarrassment to gentle sympathy.
Wolf Jeffries:
"It’s called a Freudian slip. It happens ALL the time. Muscle memory too from past arguments with his wife. Really not a big deal."
TsjerkRider
"I’d leave. Close the briefcase. Give up law. And find an island where I could lie down and die of cringe alone."
HIROSHI Sakamoto:
"Freudian slip or not, the man apologised sincerely and repeatedly. He was visibly shaken. Yes, she was not amused by being called ‘honey,’ and rightfully so, but she moved on."
Source: TikTok
Accused person steals prosecutor's phone
In an unrelated courtroom drama, a suspect shocked the Kibera Law Courts when CCTV captured him stealing a prosecutor’s phone during his hearing.
The missing phone raised immediate concern, leading to a review of security footage that exposed the culprit.
Authorities tracked him down to Kawangware, where he was arrested along with an accomplice suspected of running a phone theft syndicate.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
