The Practice S2... swine is legal tender?

@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
November 20, 2008 7:22pm CST
The Practice that was aired recently on cable was a funny one. The firm was hired to fight in a boaring dispute about the use of a pig as a cheque. Eugene represented a tax protestor in a criminal case who filed a correct Massachusetts tax return but refused to pay the tax. The client then turned loose a greased pig at the Revenue Department -- which got the tax people mad enough to prosecute him after they had cleaned up the mess. On the pig was written the necessary elements of a check-"pay to the order of the MA Revenue Department," the amount, and a signature. The court dismissed the case since the pig should be treated as payment, even though the state failed to catch the pig and cash it at the bank. I particularly like the part where Eugene goes "... my client sent you a cheque, signed and indicated the purpose of the cheque. There is no law that says cheques have to be written on paper. In this case, it is written on a pig, the pig is legal tender. You didn't cash the pig, that is your problem..." I had such a good laugh at the case! Seriously, has it ever happend in real life before where a cheque was written on something else other than paper and the receiver have to receive it, regardless of whether they like it or not? Please share your views.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
29 Nov 08
LOL I find this just perfect. Loved it :):):) As it is, there really shouldn't be any reason why the pig would not be accepted as payment other than the fact that it will incite others to do the same. It would be so fun to see revenue people receiving all sorts of things as their payment!!!
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
1 Dec 08
yeah... that would be one heck of a funny scene wouldn't it? But you must not forget, the recepient has the right to refused the legal tender offered to him. In such a case, the legal tender offered is no longer considered as legal tender. Until the recepient accepts it, the legal tender is not valid. So, it would be pretty useless to try this stunt. This case was funny cos the tax man in question is considered to have accepted the pig cos he brought it into his office and did not refuse the pig when it was sent to his office. And the punch line by Eugene is the one that really makes it all funny!
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
1 Dec 08
The guy probably thought it was some sort of bribe LOL
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
24 Nov 08
That is so funny... i used to watch The Practice but i was not able to watch this episode... but Eugene and the client are right on this... there is certainly no law that says all cheques should be written on paper... but then common sense dictates that it should... I think i should look for this episode... that might give me a good laugh...
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
24 Nov 08
This episode is all funny. Not so nice at times as there is a lot of shouting and argument going on. But the case proceedings is very funny. Especially if you enjoy looking at Eugene getting all annoyed! And Rebecca's uncle is just so stubborn! Oh, sorry to mention, the client is Rebecca's uncle. The one scene that makes it all worthwhile sitting thru the whole show is the last scene. The beginning is just a build up for the punch line that Eugene delivered!