Sit down. Sit down, Kriss.
Your honor,
I was not aware that cole's department
store was a charitable Institution.
If it is, I'm more than willing to apologize
to the court and to Mr. Kringle.
I didn'tthink so, your honor.
As I was saying before I was
so rudely interrupted,
it is my wish that Mr. Kringle be placed
under the care of the state
so that the children of new york
will no longer be put at risk.
Hey, you big jerk!
Mr. Kringle's the nicest man in the world!
He'd never hurt anybody!
Order!
Order!
- Sit down!
- Order! Order!
I have nothing further to say, your honor.
Kriss, sit down. We're almost through.
Honey, it's o.k.
Mr. Bedford...do you wish
to make a closing statement?
Your honor,
a lot of people believe in Mr. Kringle,
including millions of children.
If you rule against him, you won't destroy
anyone's belief, just the man they believe in.
Mr. Kringle is not concerned for himself.
If he was, he wouldn't be here.
He is in this regrettable position
because he is willing to sacrifice himself
for children to create in their minds
a world far better than the one we've made for them.
If this is, as Mr. Collins suggests,
a masquerade,
then Mr. Kringle is eager to forfeit his
freedom to preserve that masquerade,
To subject himself to prosecution,
to protect the children's Right to believe.
If this court finds that Mr. Kringle
is not who he says he is,
that there is no Santa Clause, then I
would ask the court to judge which is worse--
A lie that draws a smile,
or a truth...
that draws a tear?
I rest my case.
I shall render my opinion on this matter
at 12:00 noon tomorrow.
Until that time, this court stands in recess.
Hello, judge.
I appreciate your waiting for me.
Sit down.
How did I get on this case?
I don't want to rule against your client,
but I can't see how, given the facts,
I can do otherwise.
A man who believes himself to be someone
he isn't is by definition disturbed.
He isn't dangerous.
He isn't a threat.
I can't sit up on that bench
as a representative of the state of new york
And declare that there is a Santa Claus.
I can't make that argument,
much as I'd like to.
Believe me, Mr. Bedford,
if I had a way out of this,
I'd take it.
I'm sorry.
It's all about money, isn't it?
You know what destroyed Kriss kringle?
Power, greed, and this.
Anger and recrimination may
soothe your soul,
but it won't help Mr. Kringle.
He doesn't need a bitter epilogue
from his attorney.
He needs a miracle.
You may sit.
Ahem. Having heard the evidence
in the matter of Kriss kringle,
I, judge henry harper, a representative
of the state of new york,
Must regrettably rule on this day,
the 24th of december, in the year...
Would it please the court
if i gave you your christmas card?
I probably won't see you again unless
I get arrested, which is very unlikely,
Since it's christmas eve and I'm going
to bed uncharacteristically early.
Thank you very much, young lady.
You're entirely welcome.
And, uh...Merry christmas.
Merry christmas to you.
What are you doing?
Merry christmas
I'm not going to be needing that.
The young lady who just
approached the bench
presented me with
thi christmas card and this.
It's a $1.00 bill.
It's going to be returned to her shortly,
but by presenting me With this bill,
she reminded me that it's issued by
the treasury of the united states of America.
And it's backed by the government,
and the people,
of the united states of America.
Upon inspection of the article,
you will see the words, "in god we trust."
We're not here to prove that god exists,
but we are here to prove
That a being
just as invisible and
yet just as present exists.
Federal government puts its trust in god.
It does so on faith and faith alone.
It's the will of the people that guides
the government.
And it is and was their collective faith
in a greater being that gave
And gives cause to this bill's inscription.
Now, if the