When I worked at the solicitors and at that time did Criminal Law , I used to love going to Court. At times it was quite amusing. The accused in the dock, pleading that he was innocent and was so lovely you would have thought he was the local vicar, until the Judge sent him down (and they do go down the stairs to the cells) for 2 years and well to say the air was blue was no exaggeration. The Judge's parentage was in question several times along with many other compliments that this guy could muster. His charm offensive didn't work and I do believe the sentence was increased.
So it can be enlightening at times.