Judge show
Encyclopedia
A judge show features small claims court
cases which the parties have agreed to have adjudicated in a simulation of a small claims court. In reality, because the forum is merely a television studio and not a real court of law, what is depicted is actually a form of arbitration
. Judge shows first arose in the United States and are still predominantly found there.
These television program
s tend to air five days a week in the daypart of daytime television
, and often cost very little to create. Like talk shows, the format varies based on the titular host. In most cases, they are syndicated programs. The People's Court
was among the first court shows to air in the United States when it began in 1981. Since then, dozens of other judges have had their own programs. Justice David Sills
noted in one opinion that "daytime television in the early 21st century has been full of 'judge shows,' where ordinary people bring a dispute for decision before a celebrity jurist." Currently, the highest rated television court show in the United States is Judge Judy
. A study found that such shows may have a positive influence in encouraging interest in jury proceedings, but may also have a negative influence by distorting people's perception of courts.
Small claims court
Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and the name by which such a court is known varies by jurisdiction; it may be known as a county or magistrate's court...
cases which the parties have agreed to have adjudicated in a simulation of a small claims court. In reality, because the forum is merely a television studio and not a real court of law, what is depicted is actually a form of arbitration
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
. Judge shows first arose in the United States and are still predominantly found there.
These television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
s tend to air five days a week in the daypart of daytime television
Daytime television
Daytime television is the general term for television shows produced that are intended to air during the daytime hours on weekdays. This article is about American daytime television, for information about international daytime television see Daytime television....
, and often cost very little to create. Like talk shows, the format varies based on the titular host. In most cases, they are syndicated programs. The People's Court
The People's Court
The People's Court is a US television court show in which small claims court cases are heard, though what is shown is actually a binding arbitration....
was among the first court shows to air in the United States when it began in 1981. Since then, dozens of other judges have had their own programs. Justice David Sills
David Sills
David G. Sills has served as the presiding justice for the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three. He is a former mayor of Irvine, California...
noted in one opinion that "daytime television in the early 21st century has been full of 'judge shows,' where ordinary people bring a dispute for decision before a celebrity jurist." Currently, the highest rated television court show in the United States is Judge Judy
Judge Judy
Judge Judy is an American court show featuring former family court judge Judith Sheindlin arbitrating over small claims cases in small claims court...
. A study found that such shows may have a positive influence in encouraging interest in jury proceedings, but may also have a negative influence by distorting people's perception of courts.
Current
- Judge JudyJudge JudyJudge Judy is an American court show featuring former family court judge Judith Sheindlin arbitrating over small claims cases in small claims court...
(1996-present) - The People's CourtThe People's CourtThe People's Court is a US television court show in which small claims court cases are heard, though what is shown is actually a binding arbitration....
(1981-1993, 1997-present) - Judge Joe Brown (1998-present)
- Judge MathisJudge MathisJudge Mathis is a syndicated television legal reality show produced originally by Black Pearl Productions. In 2008, it entered its tenth season produced by AND Syndicated Productions and Telepictures. It is taped at NBC Tower in Chicago, but includes cases and litigants from other U.S....
(1999-present) - Divorce CourtDivorce CourtDivorce Court is a judge show about cases which only involve divorcing couples. Out of the shows currently airing in the court-themed genre, Divorce Court is the oldest...
(1957-1969, 1985-1992, 1999-present) - Eye for an EyeEye for an Eye (TV series)Eye for an Eye is a television program that has run in syndication since 2004.The program is a variation on popular thirty minute Reality shows. Eye For an Eye is presided over by Judge "Extreme Akim" Anastopoulo, with bailiff and former boxer Big Sugar Ray Phillips. The series was formerly hosted...
(2004-present) - Judge AlexJudge AlexJudge Alex is a United States syndicated courtroom television show that debuted September 12, 2005. The host/arbitrator is the Hon. Alex Ferrer, a former police officer, lawyer, and Florida judge. The show was produced in Houston at the television studios of Fox's KRIV , as was previously done with...
(2005-present) - Swift Justice with Jackie Glass (2010-present)
- America's Court with Judge RossAmerica's Court with Judge RossAmerica's Court with Judge Ross is a nationally-syndicated American television show that debuted in several top U.S. markets on September 20, 2010. This show uses a former real-life judge presiding over fictionalized small claims court cases. Here, Kevin A. Ross is the presiding judge...
(2010-present) - Last Shot With Judge GunnLast Shot with Judge GunnLast Shot with Judge Gunn is an American reality-based courtroom television series that debuted in syndication on September 26, 2011. The series is presented by Mary Ann Gunn and distributed by Trifecta Entertainment, with Peter Brennan, Matt Battaglia, and George Jones serving as executive...
(2011-present)
Former
- Judge Mills LaneJudge Mills LaneJudge Mills Lane is a syndicated American courtroom show that ran from August 17, 1998 to September 7, 2001. Reruns later aired on The National Network...
(1998-2001) - Moral CourtMoral CourtMoral Court was a court show that was hosted by Larry Elder, and originally ran from 2000 to 2001.The program had the same concept as a legality court show however the cases were based on ethics and morality with the winner of the case leaving with a cash prize. The judge decides after hearing the...
(2000-2001) - Judge HatchettJudge HatchettJudge Hatchett is a nationally-syndicated American television program produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. It starred The Honorable Glenda Hatchett and was modeled after other "court shows" such as Judge Judy and the long running The People's Court, as well as containing elements...
(2000-2008, reruns still air in some markets) - Power of Attorney (2000-2002)
- Texas JusticeTexas JusticeKatherine Levine a now Broadcasting Professor at Montclair State University, was the Producer and creator of the show.Texas Justice is a syndicated television program in the U.S. In the program, cases were judged by Larry Joe Doherty, and the program was recorded at the studios of Fox station KRIV...
(2001-2005) - Judge Maria Lopez (2006-2008)
- Cristina's Court (2006-2010)
- Judge David YoungJudge David YoungDavid Young is an American judge who stars on the Emmy Award-nominated Judge David Young television show, a daytime nationally syndicated court show. He is the first openly gay TV judge...
(2007-2009) - Jury DutyJury Duty (TV series)Jury Duty is an American syndicated reality-based television show that premiered on September 17, 2007. Initial market clearances, according to Broadcasting & Cable, were at least 60 percent of the nation's television markets...
(2007-2009) - Judge KarenJudge KarenJudge Karen is a nationally-syndicated American courtroom television show that debuted on September 8, 2008 in 48 of the top 50 U.S. markets. As with other court shows, such as The People's Court and Judge Judy, a real-life judge presides over small claims court cases...
(2008-2009) - Street CourtStreet CourtStreet Court is a courtroom television series syndicated for one season by Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina-based Litton Entertainment and hosted by Michael Mazzariello, also referred to as Judge Mazz...
(2009-2010) - Judge Wapner's Animal CourtJudge Wapner's Animal CourtJudge Wapner's Animal Court was an American television program in which Judge Joseph Wapner and his bailiff Rusty Burrell preside over real cases involving or about animals. It was shown on the channel Animal Planet between 1998 and 2000....
- Judge Jeanine PirroJudge Jeanine PirroJudge Jeanine Pirro is an American reality series that debuted on The CW on September 22, 2008...
(2008-2011) - Judge Karen's Court (2010-2011)