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 government of the united
states can issue its currency
bearing a declaration of
trust in god without demanding
physical evidence of the existence
or the nonexistence of a greater being,
then the state of new york,
by a similar demonstration of
the collective faith of its people,
can accept and acknowledge
that Santa Claus does exist,
and he exists In the person
of Kriss kringle!
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed!
Santa Claus wins!
All charges have been dropped.
Kriss kringle is free.
Hey!
- How about that.
- Yes!
You're right, Kriss.
- It's all about the children.
- Yes.
Congratulations, counselor.
Thank you.
Merry christmas, Mr. Kringle.
Merry christmas to you, Mr. Collins.
Thank you.
Uh, my children...
wanted me to remind you to stop by
the house tonight.
I won't forget. I promise.
We live in stanford-31 Shellhammer
bromton road, the big white house.
Yes. I know it well.
Yeah. Well...
anyway, merry christmas.
Oh, uh, Mr. Collins,
I hope you've taken down that
old television antenna.
I ripped my pants on it last year.
Well, Kriss, you're free.
You made a believer out of everybody.
Oh, no. Not everybody.
There are still a few I have to convince.
One in particular.
Excuse me.
Way to go, Bryan.
I'm so happy for you.
Thank you very much, Mrs. Walker.
You did a great job, sweetie.
You