Judge Judy

Smart, savvy and opinionated, the irrepressible Judge Judith Sheindlin holds court as presiding judge over real-life cases on the Emmy-nominated syndicated reality courtroom show, JUDGE JUDY. Having made a name for herself as a tough but fair judge in New York's Family Court, Judge Sheindlin retired from the bench in 1996 and segued to television to host the new series. Judge Sheindlin brings her trademark wit and wisdom to the successful half-hour series that takes viewers inside an actual courtroom where justice is dispensed a lightning speed.

Judge Sheindlin's career in family court began in 1972 when she began prosecuting juvenile delinquency cases for the state of New York. Although an emotionally taxing job, Judge Sheindlin knew right away she had found her calling, quickly developing a reputation as a sharp, no-nonsense lawyer. In 1982, New York's then-Mayor, Edward Koch, appointed Judge Sheindlin to the bench as a Judge in the Family Court. Four years later, she was appointed the Supervising Judge in Manhattan and since then, she has heard over 20,000 cases in her career. A swift decision-maker with no tolerance for excuses, who regularly delivered memorable admonitions to defendants, Judge Sheindlin earned a reputation as one of New York's toughest judges. As one of the most outspoken judges in the country, Judge Sheindlin became the subject of a Los Angeles Times article in February 1993. The piece caught the attention of 60 Minutes, leading to a segment on the popular newsmagazine show, which brought her national recognition. After her 60 Minutes appearance ran, Judge Sheindlin was approached by Larry Lyttle, President, Big Ticket Television, about the possibility of presiding over real cases with real consequences in a courtroom on television. Intrigued by the notion of bringing her no-nonsense message to a national audience, she agreed. Shortly thereafter, JUDGE JUDY became a reality, premiering in national syndication on September 16, 1996.

When asked about her decision to hang up her robes for television, Judge Sheindlin comments, "For 24 years I tried to change the way families deal with problems on a very small scale, one case at a time. Now I can use the skills I have developed and take my message to more people every day." THE SHOW "Judge Judy Sheindlin presides over television's hottest courtroom show, JUDGE JUDY... the truth is what Sheindlin demands. No bull. No excuses. She's the mom who loves you but wants no 'he made me do it' whining. And she can always tell if you're lying. All she has to do is make eye contact." USA Today, January, 1998 JUDGE JUDY, the Emmy-nominated daily half-hour syndicated reality courtroom series, is currently in its third season. The show is currently the fastest-growing first-run series in the last decade and serves as a benchmark for the now-reinvigorated courtroom genre. "Humor is a key factor in what draws people to JUDGE JUDY's growing mass appeal. The American public likes the fact that Judge Judy is straight-to-the-point yet still has a tremendous wit that audiences can identify with," adds Randy Douthit, executive producer of JUDGE JUDY.

For example, a woman who has had four children by four different men sues her actual husband-who sired none of her kids-for financial support after they split up. Judge Judy is appalled by the gall of the woman who is suing, quipping, "Madam, on Father's Day, your house is going to need a revolving door for all your kids!" "Litigants agree to come on our show because they know that Judge Judy will give them an honest chance when they enter the courtroom," states Peter Brennan, executive producer of JUDGE JUDY. "She tends to tell litigants exactly what the audience is thinking." The series selects actual court cases from across the nation and places them before the charismatic Judge Judy, a credible arbitrator well known for her decisions on some of the toughest cases in New York-and on TV. JUDGE JUDY is a show about family court cases, marital dissension and small claims disputes. It's about relationships in conflict and Judge Judy's unique ability to act as a true moral compass for people seeking guidance, insight and resolution in their often complicated lives. Taking a common sense approach, it's Judge Judy's goal to make a permanent and worthwhile impression that will discourage repeat offenders and help heal families and victims of injustice. JUDGE JUDY airs nationwide Monday through Friday. Check local listings for times and station. Justice with an attitude--Judge Judy. That's how Judge Judith Sheindlin's television courtroom show is billed. Indeed Judge Judy won't take guff from any litigant on her show, and one can easily she why she had a reputation before retiring as one of the toughest judges in the state of New York.

USA today has stated she can always tell if someone in her courtroom is lying, and she doesn't hesitate to let the offending party she doesn't believe his or her story. When she gets aggrevated at a litigant's attitude or doesn't believe a story, she doesn't hesitate to snap at that person. She always tries to bring justice to the situation, however. She began her career prosecuting juvenile deliquency cases in New York. Later New York City Mayor Ed Koch appointed her Family Court Judge, and she heard more than 20,000 cases in her career. She later became Supervising Judge in Manhattan. Known as a tough judge, Judge Judy became the subject of a Los Angeles Time article and later a 60 Minutes episode. It was after that she retired, and her show debuted September 16, 1996. Her show is now the number one television courtroom show in the country. The litigants who come before her know her decisions are legally binding and final. They also should know when they bring their family matters, small claims issues or whatever before her, they better be honest.

"For 24 years I tried to change the way families deal with problems on a very small scale one case at a time," Judge Judy explained on her website why she retired and took the show. "Now I can use the skills I have developed and take my message to more people every day." The issues that come before her are varied. In one case a 19-year-old woman sued the father of her child for taking her money to buy a car for her and not returning the money or helping her buy the car. She claimed he took $2,800, but he said only $800.

The woman had a tape recording of a phone call with her boyfriend in which he said he received $2,800. The case was easy to decide, but Judge Judy was hard on both litigants. He told the plaintiff she is a "nice woman," but "not too swift." She chastised the defendant for not paying child support, because he hadn't been allowed to visit his child, because of a history of domestic violence. "Well, he eats doesn't he?" she snapped. In another case a 35-year-old nurse's aide sued a former friend for half the cost of their trip to Las Vegas. She said the defendant had paid for their airplane tickets but nothing else. The defendant claimed she had paid the plaintiff $1,400 cash. She said she had dropped the matter when the plaintiff didn't pay her money she owed her. She also countersued the plaintiff for defamation of character for distributing flyers stating the defendant didn't pay her debts.

The plaintiff won the case, because Judge Judy called the defendant's lawyer and found out the plaintiff had contacted the attorney to receive her money. The defendant lost her countersuit. "This lady doesn't look like she's missing a few," Judge Judy said of the plaintiff. She said she wouldn't have contacted the lawyer if she wasn't owed the money. She also said the defendant wouldn't have dropped the matter if she really were owed $300. "Someone who is not shy would have taken her to court," she explained. Judge Judy doesn't hesitate to let a litigant know if she believes a person is trying to take advantage of another. In one case a woman who had four children by four men, none of them her husband, sued her ex-husband for support.

"Madam, on Father's Day your house is going to need a revolving door for all your kids," she told the plaintiff. Legal minds run in the Sheindlin family. Her husband, Jerry, is the judge on the People's Court, once run by Judge Joseph Wapner and later Ed Koch. Justice with an attiude--an idea some might believe should have come much sooner in America.