What is a sovereign citizen and how is Darrell Brooks using that argument in his trial?

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Among the numerous disruptions from Darrell Brooks is his claim to be a 'sovereign' or 'sovereign citizen,' but the argument lacks any merit, according to legal experts.

Judge Jennifer Dorow acknowledged Brooks' claim during one exchange on Tuesday.

"I realize it may very well be related to be your claim to be a sovereign citizen," Dorow said to Brooks.

"Claim to be sovereign. Claim to be sovereign. That's correct," Brooks replied during that exchange on Oct. 4.

His claim is nothing new, according to legal experts.

"Essentially what these people are claiming or they believe is that none of the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction apply to them, they don't have to follow the laws that everyone else has to follow," Julius Kim, an attorney at Kim & LaVoy, told CBS 58.

The Southern Poverty Law Center says the sovereign citizen movement uses conspiracy theories and falsehoods to justify their beliefs. It can lead to combative exchanges in court.

"The sovereign citizenship movement has kind of this playbook as to how they can establish that the court does not have jurisdiction over them," Kim explained in an interview. "That's why you hear Mr. Brooks ask questions asking if [Judge Dorow] has ever taken an oath, he's trying to test her legitimacy."

The claim does not have any merit in courts and has been dealt with in previous cases, including some cited by Judge Dorow. Kim added Judge Dorow has been able to deal with the claim from Brooks while also keeping the court process moving forward.

"Wisconsin doesn't recognize the concept of sovereign citizens is essentially what it comes down to and so [Judge Dorow] has got to acknowledge the argument, acknowledge the statements but then move on," Kim said.