He sits behind a heavy wooden bench in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Most people know him from a viral clip. You’ve probably seen it. A man joins a Zoom court hearing for a suspended license charge while literally driving a car. The look on the face of Judge J. Cedric Simpson in that moment—a mix of pure disbelief and "are you kidding me"—turned him into an overnight internet sensation. But there is a whole lot more to the man than just a funny YouTube thumbnail.
J. Cedric Simpson is a judge of the 14A District Court in Michigan. He’s been on that bench for a long time. Since 1999, actually. That is over two decades of seeing the weirdest, saddest, and most complicated parts of human life. He wasn't just "born" into the judiciary; he worked his way through the University of Maryland for his undergrad and then hit the books at the University of Maryland School of Law.
It’s easy to watch a thirty-second clip and think you know a guy. People call him "no-nonsense." They call him "tough." Honestly, if you watch the full hours of his livestreamed proceedings, you see something different. You see a man who deeply understands the procedural cogs of the Michigan legal system. He isn't just there to hand out fines. He’s there to manage the chaos.
Why Judge J. Cedric Simpson Keeps Going Viral
The internet loves a straight man. In comedy, the "straight man" is the one who stays serious while everything around them goes off the rails. Simpson is the ultimate straight man. When Corey Harris pulled that stunt by driving during his hearing, the video racked up millions of views. People were obsessed. It felt like a scene from a sitcom.
But the story got complicated.
Later, it came out that there might have been a clerical error regarding Harris’s license status in another jurisdiction. The internet flipped. Suddenly, people were mad at the judge. Then, even more details emerged showing the situation was exactly as the judge suspected. It was a rollercoaster. This is the reality of the 14A District Court. It isn't a scripted show. It’s messy.
Judge J. Cedric Simpson has stayed remarkably consistent through all of this. He doesn't go on talk shows to chase the fame. He doesn't change his demeanor because the cameras are rolling. He treats the guy with the suspended license the same way he treats a high-profile attorney. It’s about the rule of law. It’s about the fact that if you are in his courtroom, you follow the rules. Or he will find you in contempt. Simple as that.
The Dynamics of the 14A District Court
The 14A District Court isn't just one room. It covers a lot of ground in Washtenaw County—everywhere except the city of Ann Arbor. We are talking Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Township, Chelsea. These are diverse areas. You get college students from EMU, factory workers, farmers, and tech professionals.
Simpson handles a massive volume of cases.
Traffic violations.
Small claims.
Landlord-tenant disputes.
Misdemeanors.
Preliminary exams for felonies.
It is a grind. Think about doing that for 25 years. You'd probably develop a very sharp "nonsense detector" too. He has seen every excuse in the book. "My dog ate the summons." "I didn't know I couldn't drive on a sidewalk." He’s heard it all. This experience gives him a level of authority that younger judges sometimes struggle to command. He doesn't have to yell. He just leans forward and looks at you. That’s usually enough.
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The Coby Harris and Cindi-Marie Case Controversy
If you really want to understand the legal weight Simpson carries, look at the 2021 Zoom hearing involving Coby Harris. This wasn't the "driving" Harris; this was a domestic violence case. During the hearing, the prosecutor noticed something weird. The victim, Mary Lindsey, was acting strange. She kept looking off-camera.
Simpson’s instincts kicked in.
He didn't just ignore it. He slowed things down. He asked the police to go to her house. As it turned out, the defendant was actually at the victim's house during the hearing, physically intimidating her while the court watched on Zoom.
"Mr. Harris, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but the police are at the door," Simpson said.
That moment was chilling. It showed the benefit of having an experienced judge who actually pays attention to the screen. In the age of remote hearings, a lot of judges check out. Simpson stayed locked in. He saw the fear in the victim’s eyes through a grainy webcam. That intervention probably saved her from further harm that night. It’s these moments that define his career far more than the funny driving memes.
Legal Philosophy and Public Perception
Is he too harsh? Some people think so. If you browse through local forums or legal review sites, you’ll find a mix. Some lawyers love him because he runs a tight ship. They know if they show up at 9:00 AM, the case starts at 9:00 AM. Others find him intimidating.
But here’s the thing about the law: it’s not supposed to be a cuddle.
Simpson operates on the principle that the court is a sacred space. Even if that space is currently a Zoom square on a laptop, the dignity of the law remains. When people show up in his court wearing pajamas or eating a sandwich, he checks them. It’s not about ego. It’s about respect for the system that keeps society from falling into total anarchy.
He has been involved in various judicial associations, including the Association of Black Judges of Michigan. He has served as a leader in the Michigan District Judges Association. These aren't just titles. They represent a commitment to the "business" of being a judge. It involves looking at how laws are applied across the state and trying to ensure some level of consistency.
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What Happens When the Cameras Turn Off?
Most of the time, the 14A District Court is boring.
That’s a good thing.
Justice is usually boring. It’s paperwork. It’s confirming dates. It’s making sure a defendant understands their rights. Simpson spends the vast majority of his day doing these mundane tasks. He makes sure the court recorder has everything. He checks that the defense counsel has seen the discovery.
There is a specific kind of patience required for this. You have to be able to listen to the same legal arguments three hundred times a year and still treat the three-hundredth-and-first time like it’s new. Because for the person standing in front of him, it is new. It’s likely the most stressful day of their year.
Common Misconceptions About the Viral "Driving" Video
Let’s clear some stuff up about the Corey Harris incident because the misinformation is everywhere.
- The Judge wasn't being "mean." He was reacting to a blatant violation of law happening in real-time. If a judge sees a crime (driving without a valid license) being committed during a hearing, they literally cannot ignore it.
- The license issue was a mess. While there were claims that Harris's license should have been reinstated, the records available to the court at that moment showed it was suspended. A judge rules based on the evidence in the file, not what someone says "should" be the case.
- The "clerical error" defense. Even if there was a clerical error at the Secretary of State, the defendant still didn't have a physical, valid license in his hand. Simpson’s frustration was centered on the fact that the defendant was actively driving while talking to a judge about his suspended license.
It’s a nuance that gets lost in a 15-second TikTok.
The Evolution of the Washtenaw County Legal Scene
Washtenaw County has seen a shift toward more progressive legal practices lately. We’ve seen the rise of specialty courts—drug courts, mental health courts, veterans' courts. These are designed to treat the underlying cause of a crime rather than just punishing the symptom.
Judge J. Cedric Simpson has been part of this evolving landscape. While he holds the line on decorum, he is also part of a system that is increasingly trying to find ways to reduce recidivism. This means he has to balance being a "tough" judge with being a "smart" judge.
Sometimes that means a stern lecture.
Sometimes it means a referral to a support program.
Sometimes it means jail.
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He’s an expert at reading people. You don't stay on the bench for a quarter-century without learning how to tell who is genuinely sorry and who is just sorry they got caught.
Actionable Insights for Navigating the Court System
If you ever find yourself in a courtroom—whether it’s Judge Simpson’s or anyone else’s—there are some very practical lessons to be learned from his viral moments.
First, don't be a distraction. If your hearing is on Zoom, sit in a quiet room. Turn off the TV. Don't drive. It seems obvious, but clearly, it isn't. Your environment tells the judge how much you respect their time. If you look like you don't care, why should the judge care about your excuses?
Second, know your paperwork. If you claim your license is valid or your fine was paid, have the receipt. Don't tell the judge, "I think my mom took care of that." Judges deal in facts and documents. If it isn't on paper, it didn't happen.
Third, be honest. Simpson has a way of sniffing out a lie within seconds. If you messed up, own it. Judges often show more leniency to someone who takes responsibility than to someone who tries to spin a wild tale.
Finally, understand the "Why." The reason Judge J. Cedric Simpson is so strict about the rules is that the rules protect everyone. If he lets one person slide, the whole system starts to crumble. The law is a set of boundaries. He’s the guy who makes sure those boundaries stay where they are supposed to be.
Whether you see him as a viral hero, a stern authority figure, or just a man doing a very difficult job in Michigan, there is no denying his impact. He has brought the reality of the American district court system into the living rooms of millions. He reminded us that the law isn't just a book on a shelf; it’s a living, breathing process that happens every day in small courtrooms across the country.
If you are interested in how the legal system actually functions, the best thing you can do is watch a full morning session of a district court. Don't just watch the clips. Watch the hours of routine cases. You will see the immense weight of the decisions these judges make. You will see the poverty, the mistakes, and the occasional moments of genuine redemption. That is the real world of Judge J. Cedric Simpson. It’s a lot more interesting than a meme.