“All rise,” the earth pony bailiff said, his voice loud and clear in the courtroom. “This court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Tipping Scales presiding.”

Everycreature in the room stood at attention as an older unicorn mare with a pale gray coat and slate-gray eyes slowly made her way to the bench. The mare wore a black judge’s robe and thick-rimmed cat-eye glasses. As she sat down and adjusted her glasses, she nodded at the blue stallion, who simply said, “Be seated.”

Tipping Scales cleared her throat and said, “Good morning, everycreature.”

A chorus of voices saying “good morning” filled the room before the judge motioned for quiet and continued.

“As you all may know, this is a court of law. There is a certain level of decorum to be expected in a court of law, and as such, any outbursts will be swiftly dealt with. If you feel you cannot keep your composure at any time, you are asked to leave before we proceed with this matter. Anyone who is out of order will be arrested and held in contempt of court.

“Now, do I have a Ms. Spoiled Rich here?”

Spoiled Rich simply said, “Yes, Your Honor.”

“Ms. Rich, you have been arrested and formally charged with assault, a misdemeanor in the first degree in violation of the Equestrian Legal Code, Section 2903.13. We are here today for sentencing in this matter. If anycreature has a statement to make, now is the opportunity to approach and address the court.”

The prosecutor, a pegasus mare with a sand-colored coat and jade-green eyes, cleared her throat. “Your Honor, we have four statements to be heard by the court,” she said. “The first statement is by the victim, Ms. Heart Guardian.”

Heart Guardian stood at the podium and took a deep breath to steady herself before beginning. “Your Honor, I was only at the store because my daughter was having a meltdown in the bathroom and I’d gotten a phone call from somepony who was helping her through it.

“When I got in there, I remember just being slapped across the face and screamed at by Spoiled Rich, and the next thing I knew…” Heart Guardian felt herself starting to break down as her voice began to waver.

“The next thing I knew, my daughter was screaming in this mare’s face. I was just in shock that somepony could be so cruel over something that I have no control over. I used to be able to smile properly and eat with my mouth closed before I developed Bell’s palsy.

“I’m already self-conscious about it and this whole incident just made it so much worse! Please, Your Honor, I’m begging you to give her the maximum sentence you can give her.”

Tipping Scales levitated a box of tissues over to Heart Guardian, her expression stoic. “Thank you for giving your statement, ma’am, and I’m sorry that this happened.”

“The second statement is from Ms. Puzzling Insanity, the victim’s daughter.”

Puzzling Insanity approached the podium, holding a written copy of her statement and carefully setting it down. “Good morning, Your Honor,” she said, barely able to restrain her anger as she read the note.

“I do not believe that Spoiled Rich is sorry for hitting my mother. She struck my defenseless mother over her appearance. I remember hearing the slap and being overcome with rage and the urge to protect the mare who gave me life and advocated for me when I needed it most.

“Your Honor, I meant every word I said in that video, and I believe that she deserves more than the maximum sentence, but I know that that’s not how the law works here in Equestria. I sincerely hope that justice is served in this courtroom.”

Judge Scales noticed Puzzling’s eyes beginning to glow and quietly said, “If you need to go out into the hallway to cool down, you are more than welcome to do so.”

Puzzling Insanity nodded, stiffly walking out of the courtroom and into the hallway.

“The third statement, Your Honor, is from the defendant’s husband, Mr. Filthy Rich.”

Filthy Rich stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. “Good morning, Your Honor,” he said. “I want to say that my wife is no longer the mare I fell in love with all those years ago, and the fact that this dreadful display occurred in one of my stores is just awful.

“I respectfully ask that this court impose the maximum sentence allowable, and I would like to state for the record that I do intend to file for divorce.”

Spoiled Rich’s head whipped toward her husband and she screeched, “WHAT?!”

Tipping Scaled banged her gavel and glared at the defendant. “Ms. Rich, must I remind you that you are in a courtroom? You will respect the proceedings or I will hold you in contempt!”

The defendant shut up immediately. The judge turned toward Filthy Rich and said, “Sir, I’m sorry for the interruption; please proceed.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Filthy Rich said. “As I was saying, I intend to file for divorce. The mare sitting on the defendant’s side of the room is not the mare I fell in love with. She is not the mare I married. As far as I’m concerned, she is a stranger to me.”

“Thank you, Mr. Rich,” Judge Scales said, adjusting her spectacles.

“And the final statement before the court is from the defendant’s daughter.”

Diamond Tiara, missing her trademark accessory, walked up to the podium and adjusted the microphone.

“Hello, Your Honor,” the young heiress said, focusing her attention toward the judge. “I have nothing really to say that hasn’t already been said. I wish to see Ms. Spoiled Rich receive the maximum sentence, and as far as I’m concerned I have no mother. Thank you.”

Spoiled Rich was apoplectic, unable to speak as the filly returned to her seat in the gallery. Puzzling Insanity was escorted back to the gallery and sat next to her mother, hugging the older mare gently.

“This court will take the statements given into consideration,” Judge Tipping Scales said. “Do either the prosecution or the defense have anything further to say?”

“No, Your Honor,” the attorneys said in unison.

“Thank you. In this case, the callousness of the defendant and the unprovoked nature of this offense call for nothing short of the maximum sentence.

“Ms. Spoiled Rich, you are hereby sentenced to serve no more than 180 days in jail and pay a fine of no more than one thousand bits. I hope you take this time to reflect upon your actions. Any additional court costs in this matter have been waived. Court is adjourned.”

As creatures of all kinds filed out of the courthouse, Puzzling Insanity sat down on the steps. Diamond Tiara stopped and sat next to her.

“Exhausting, isn’t it?” the heiress said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah,” Puzzling said, a tiny smile crossing her muzzle. “At least I’m not the defendant this time.”

“Preaching to the choir,” Diamond said, laughing a little. “Do you and your mom want to join me and Daddy for brunch today?”

“It sounds nice, but we wouldn’t want to impose.”

Diamond Tiara shook her head. “It’s not imposing if you’re invited,” she said. “There’s this really nice place that serves the best made-to-order omelettes and I won’t take no for an answer!”

Author's Note

I referenced my own state's laws regarding assault. According to the Ohio Revised Code, Section 2903.13, simple assault is a misdemeanor in the first degree unless certain circumstances occur.