Is Judge Judy pandering to the media and the ratings rather than carrying out the law..?

Question

Whenever I go to the laundromat, or some other business, I always see some Judge screaming and lecturing somebody.

I have been in court as a litigant and I have worked in the courts and I have never known anyone to rant and carry-on like any of those supposed judges on the television.

Is it more theater and entertainment than law..?

Would you appear before a courtroom t.v. and have a case adjudicated...?

Answer 1

shes a actress she is over the top, come on ..........

Answer 2

I watch mostly all of the court TV episodes...even the ones other than small claims. I agree that Judge Judy , and some of the others , do get a bit carried away at times, but she and Millian, for sure are delivering the law. Judy is pushy, but I firmly believe she was that way without the TV cameras. In the many of her episodes I don't blame her for her strictness. To me it is so appalling that many of the litigants don't have a clue as to their responsibilities. In many cases all one need to do is put the shoe on the other foot and the truth becomes clear. Why would someone do something to someone that they wouldn't want done to them?

Answer 3

yes I think so. The longer the show airs the more she "shows off for the camers" it seems. Just the same with the other court shows. Its like THe Real World where the first season the people acted naturally and the seasons after that they just played it up because they knew they were on t.v.
It particularly made me question Judy's judging and upholding the law when I saw her on People magazines cover sometime back. I think "Judge Judy" turned more into a poblicity stunt than a "real" court show.

Answer 4

There are two words you must become familiar with in court TV shows: entertainment and arbitration. What does this mean? Of course, any TV show will be shown to entertain and to gain ratings. Therefore, Judge Judy and any other TV judge will say things that will entertain the audience and gain ratings.

Next, arbitration! Arbitration is what is going on everyday on these court TV shows, unless it is an actual trial or court proceeding. These TV judges are merely arbitrators and not actual judges, unless, of course, you are fortunate as Judge Mathis and Judge Brown to be actual judges in other jurisdictions. As an arbitrator, you have more flexibility and control to assign any remedy you want, as long as it is fair and reasonable under the law.

Answer 5

It is theatre and it is entertainment.

But it's also much more like a private arbitration than a formal court of law. Strict rules of procedure and evidence need not be followed, and the outcome is binding because of contractual agreement of the parties that it will be.

So, these TV judges have a much greater latitude when deciding cases, and the drama is what keeps the show going.

Answer 6

pssst... this is a tv show.

"Sheindlin acts in a more inquisitorial fashion in a manner similar to U.S. appellate courts and many international courts. There are no lawyers present and participants defend themselves, which is standard in a small claims court. The people who appear on her show sign a waiver agreeing that arbitration in her court is final and cannot be pursued elsewhere unless she dismisses the case without prejudice. The producers of the show pay participants a set amount of money for being on the show. Additionally, the producers pay any monetary damages awarded - the disclaimer mentions "any monetary award is made out of a fund maintained by the producer."

lawyers rule. i would not ever wish to defend myself from this harpy... her only job is to make the cases that come into her court as entertaining as possible.

in all honesty, i think this is sort of detrimental to our legal system, in the same vein as our restrictions on news cameras in courtrooms. it is more theater than law, like law and order is more fable than law.

everything you see on television has a crew behind it to manufacture reality for you. she is intelligent, but i'm sort of disappointed that she uses her gifts to make stupid people seem even more stupid.

Answer 7

I kinda like her. Shes not always right but more than often shes pretty close. I think shes acting how she actually feels. I wouldnt know if she pandering for ratings or not and I agree that Ive never seen a judge lecture like that but my experience is limited. Itd be nice to see more of it in real life though. Just my opinion.

Answer 8

I'm glad you caught on. Judge Judy and all the other "judges" on tv, except maybe that first tv judge, Judge Wapner(sp?), are a bunch of glory seeking hogs, and have nothing to do with justice. God Bless you.

Answer 9

It is a TV show. Period.

Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Jerry Springer, it's all the same. Every minute that you waste watching such garbage is a minute that you can never get back.

Answer 10

it really is a not person-friendly question to respond to, i imagine it would want to count number on why i'd be going formerly both one in all them. no longer understanding the rationalization behind that, i'd ought to take my opportunities with Jerry Springer's target audience. they're used to weird and wonderful issues, that's why they're there so i might want to easily about say something and they could have self assurance me the position choose Judy might want to be a touch harder to fool. good luck.

Answer 11

I like her. She hits the nail on the head a lot.

She's a very smart cookie with loads of experience in human nature. She can smell a lie coming. Those qualities makes a popular show.

I'm sure management tells her to keep on being herself because of ratings and that's what they are supposed to do.