Q & A: Judge Judy

Q: I had an argument with a co-worker. He is claiming that the TV show Judge Judy is fake. I said that all the cases on the show seems real. Am I wrong?

A: You are actually closer to the truth—Judge Judy is not "fake" in the way some scripted shows are, but there are a few nuances to how it operates.

How Judge Judy Works:

1. Real Cases: The disputes presented on Judge Judy are indeed based on real small claims court cases. The producers of the show comb through public court records to find interesting cases and invite the parties to present their cases on the show. The litigants voluntarily agree to have their cases arbitrated by Judge Judy Sheindlin, a retired family court judge.

2. Binding Arbitration: Although it looks like a courtroom, what you see on Judge Judy is technically arbitration, not an official court ruling. When the participants agree to appear on the show, they sign contracts agreeing that Judge Judy's decision will be legally binding. This is a real legal process, though outside the formal courtroom setting.

3. Television Production Influence: While the cases are real, Judge Judy is still a TV show, meaning that there are elements of production that might give it a "staged" feel. The producers select cases for their entertainment value, and the editing may enhance drama or cut down on unnecessary details. The participants also receive compensation for appearing on the show, and any money awarded by Judge Judy is paid by the show, not by the litigants.

In summary, while Judge Judy might have some TV embellishments, the cases themselves are real legal disputes, and Judge Judy's rulings are binding. Your assessment that the cases seem real is accurate!

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model