Lawyers in the United States have traditionally chosen the courts they deem favorable for them to bring their cases before. The phenomenon, known as "judicial shopping," is drawing new criticism after a series of highly politicized decisions.
Actor Johnny Depp decided to sue his ex-wife Amber Heard for introducing herself in a Washington Post article as a victim of domestic violence. The movie star filed his lawsuit in Virginia, which has laws more favorable to prosecutors in defamation cases. The plaintiff always chooses the forum that is most useful to him, based on several criteria.