I had never noticed this before. Can you point at any examples?

I have long noticed high profile people going to court with some kind of cast on, though.

Agree, it makes it seem like the individual is "one of us" and that what they're saying is a little more raw/genuine.

"They're being mean to me." vs "theyre being mean to me".

Uh, no, it makes you look careless and unprofessional.