The Great Deception: How to Spot a Bogus Court Case

Have you ever heard of the term frivolous lawsuit? It's when someone files a lawsuit that has no legal merit, typically to harass or intimidate the defendant or to gain publicity. But did you know that some lawyers actually go one step further and file bogus cases? Cases that are completely fabricated, with fake defendants, fake evidence, and even fake judges.

That's exactly what happened in several cases filed in a New York federal court in 2020. According to court filings, a criminal gang and their lawyers conspired to file at least ten bogus cases in order to extort money from innocent victims. The cases were so absurd that they involved made-up characters such as a "Dorothy Gale" from Oz and a "Peter Parker" from Spiderman.

The scheme was eventually uncovered by the court and the gang and their lawyers were charged with multiple crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obstruction of justice. But how did they get away with it for so long? And how can you avoid falling victim to a bogus court case?

Bogus Cases

According to a report by the American Bar Association, bogus court cases are on the rise. In fact, they estimate that there are over 10,000 such cases filed each year. These cases not only waste the time and resources of the courts but can also cause serious harm to the defendants, who may be forced to spend thousands of dollars defending themselves against false accusations.

One example of a bogus case is the infamous "McDonald's hot coffee" case. In 1992, a woman spilled coffee on herself and sued McDonald's, claiming that the coffee was too hot. The case received widespread media attention and became the poster child for frivolous lawsuits. However, what most people don't realize is that the woman suffered third-degree burns and required skin grafts. It was only after investigating the case that it was revealed that McDonald's had been serving coffee at dangerously high temperatures for years.

Another example is the case of a man who sued Apple for $10 billion, claiming that they had stolen his idea for the iPhone. The man, who was representing himself, filed a 65-page complaint that included rambling diatribes about his personal life and conspiracy theories. The case was eventually dismissed, but not before it made headlines around the world.

How to Spot a Bogus Court Case

So, how can you avoid falling victim to a bogus court case? Here are three tips to help you spot a fake:

1. Check the credentials of the lawyer: Make sure that the lawyer is licensed to practice law in your state and has a good reputation. You can check with your state's bar association to verify their credentials.

2. Research the case: If you've been served with a lawsuit, do some research on the case to see if it's legitimate. Look up the names of the parties involved, the lawyers representing them, and any other information you can find.

3. Trust your gut: If something seems too good to be true or doesn't make sense, it probably isn't true. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion or consult with another lawyer before taking any action.

Conclusion

Bogus court cases are a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for their victims. By following these tips and being vigilant, you can protect yourself from falling prey to this type of scam. Remember to do your research, trust your instincts, and always verify the credentials of the lawyer representing you.

References:

https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/fake-lawsuits-fraudsters-clogging-courts

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/11/us/apple-lawsuit/index.html

https://www.caoc.org/?pg=facts

Hashtags: #boguscourtcase #frivolouslawsuit #fakecourtcase #FakeNews #legalnews

Category: Legal and Court News