D.A. Jim Trotter Quotes in My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Vinny Gambini: [opening statements] Uh... everything that guy just said is bullshit... Thank you.

D.A. Jim Trotter: Objection. Counsel's entire opening statement is argumentative.

Judge Chamberlain Haller: Sustained. Counselor's entire opening statement... with the exception of "thank you"... will be stricken from the record.

D.A. Jim Trotter: Now, uh, Ms. Vito, being an expert on general automotive knowledge, can you tell me... what would the correct ignition timing be on a 1955 Bel Air Chevrolet, with a 327 cubic-inch engine and a four-barrel carburetor?

Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bullshit question.

D.A. Jim Trotter: Does that mean that you can't answer it?

Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bullshit question, it's impossible to answer.

D.A. Jim Trotter: Impossible because you don't know the answer!

Mona Lisa Vito: Nobody could answer that question!

D.A. Jim Trotter: Your Honor, I move to disqualify Ms. Vito as a "expert witness"!

Judge Chamberlain Haller: Can you answer the question?

Mona Lisa Vito: No, it is a trick question!

Judge Chamberlain Haller: Why is it a trick question?

Vinny Gambini: [to Bill] Watch this.

Mona Lisa Vito: 'Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till '64. However, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center.

D.A. Jim Trotter: Well... um... she's acceptable, Your Honor.

Vinny Gambini: Ms. Vito, it has been argued by me, the defense, that two sets of guys met up at the Sac-O-Suds, at the same time, driving identical metallic mint green 1964 Buick Skylark convertibles. Now, can you tell us by what you see in this picture, if the defense's case holds water?

Mona Lisa Vito: [Lisa examines the picture]

Vinny Gambini: Ms. Vito, please answer the question: does the defense's case hold water?

Mona Lisa Vito: No! The defense is wrong!

Vinny Gambini: Are you sure?

Mona Lisa Vito: I'm positive.

Vinny Gambini: How could you be so sure?

Mona Lisa Vito: Because there is no way that these tire marks were made by a 1964 Buick Skylark convertible. These marks were made by a 1963 Pontiac Tempest.

D.A. Jim Trotter: Objection, Your Honor! Can we clarify to the court whether the witness is stating opinion or fact?

Judge Chamberlain Haller: [to Lisa] This is your opinion, or is it a fact?

Mona Lisa Vito: It's a fact!

Vinny Gambini: I find it hard to believe that this kind of information could be ascertained simply by looking at a picture!

Mona Lisa Vito: Would you like me to explain?

Vinny Gambini: I would *love* to hear this!

Judge Chamberlain Haller: So would I!

Vinny Gambini: [answering the phone] Hello?

D.A. Jim Trotter: [into the phone] You did good out there today, Yankee. I like the competition. You like competition, too? Makes things kinds fun, doesn't it?

Vinny Gambini: I'm enjoying myself so far.

D.A. Jim Trotter: Well, I got a little surprise for you tomorrow.

Vinny Gambini: What is it? You know you have to disclose all of your evidence to me before presenting it at trial.

D.A. Jim Trotter: I just got it myself tonight. I'll disclose it first thing in the morning. The Judge is gonna have to admit it.

Vinny Gambini: Should I be worried?

D.A. Jim Trotter: I sure would be if I were you.

Vinny Gambini: [hangs up]

[to Lisa]

Vinny Gambini: Hey, Honey. Where'd you read about all that disclosure shit?

Mona Lisa Vito: Here, let me show ya. Why?

D.A. Jim Trotter: Ms. Vito, what is your current profession?

Lisa: I'm an out-of-work hairdresser.

D.A. Jim Trotter: An out-of-work hairdresser. In what way does that qualify you as an expert in automobiles?

Lisa: It doesn't.

[D.A. Trotter is making his preliminary remarks to the jury]

D.A. Jim Trotter: You're the jury. It's your job to decide who's telling the truth. Truth. That's what 'verdict' means. It's a word comes down from Old England and all our little old ancestors.

[an African-American woman on the jury looks at him in disbelief]