Ninjago City vs. Ninja (trial)

Not to be confused with the episode.

“In all my years as a judge, I have never seen such a callous disregard for public safety as I have in this case. The ninja put the entire city at risk by freeing the convicted criminal Aspheera, and then helping to arm her with the very weapon she used to attack this city. Do you have anything to say in your defense before I pass judgement?”

— William Toughbutt to Dareth, "Ninjago City vs. Ninja"

Ninjago City vs. Ninja
Information
Participants	Ninja Dareth William Toughbutt Ninjago City's citizens
Location	Ninjago City Courthouse
Date	Days after the candlelight vigil
Result	The Ninja are sentenced to 5 years in Kryptarium Prison
Chronological order
Previous	Candlelight vigil
Next	Final prophecy of Quanish the Elder

Ninjago City vs. Ninja was a trial that took place in Ninjago City following the ninja's theft of Aspheera's staff and them breaking Aspheera out of Kryptarium Prison. The trial was presided over by Judge William Horace Toughbutt. The trial ended with the ninja being convicted and being sentenced to five years in Kryptarium Prison.

History

Not longer after being arrested by the New Ninja, the ninja were charged with breaking Aspheera out of prison and stealing her staff. It was apparently the fastest trial ever, and Kai blames their lawyer Dareth. As Skylor wonders if the judge will go easy on them, Wu tells her his nickname is "Toughbutt," but, Dareth says its his last name, to which Kai disbelieves it as anyone's last name. Pretty soon, the bailiff orders everyone to stand for Judge William Toughbutt, who will be presiding the trial. Judge Toughbutt was surprised and disgusted to see the Ninja on trial and asks if they have anything to say in their defense before he charges them. Before they could however, Dareth reminds everyone in the court of the heroic deeds the ninja did for the city which earns approval from the audience. Toughbutt agrees with this and does not sentence the ninja to Life Imprisonment. Though Wu, Nya, and the ninja were relieved at first, it immediately turned to dismay when Toughbutt sentences to ninja to 5 years in Kryptarium Prison. This decision leaves the entire audience to protest as the Ninja are taken away, and Dareth tries to plea Toughbutt for community service, but was ignored.

Aftermath

The Ninja were transferred to Kryptarium Prison where they were forced to spend their first night there. Meanwhile, in the monastery, Dareth began blaming himself for the outcome of the trial though Wu remained neutral as he believed that the ninja had gotten what they deserved for going against his wishes of breaking Aspheera out, though Nya takes the blame for it, insisting that it was her fault for everything that occurred, which Wu didn't accept.