Judge show

A judge show (also known as a reality court show or judicial 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 programs 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."^[1] 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.^[2]

List of Judge shows

Current

• Judge Judy (1996-present)
• The People's Court (1981-1993, 1997-present)
• Judge Joe Brown (1998-present)
• Judge Mathis (1999-present)
• Divorce Court (1957-1969, 1985-1992, 1999-present)
• Eye for an Eye (2004-present)
• Judge Alex (2005-present)
• Swift Justice with Jackie Glass (2010-present)
• America's Court with Judge Ross (2010-present)
• Last Shot With Judge Gunn (2011-present)

Former

• Judge Mills Lane (1998-2001)
• Moral Court (2000-2001)
• Judge Hatchett (2000-2008, reruns still air in some markets)
• Power of Attorney (2000-2002)
• Texas Justice (2001-2005)
• Judge Maria Lopez (2006-2008)
• Cristina's Court (2006-2010)
• Judge David Young (2007-2009)
• Jury Duty (2007-2009)
• Judge Karen (2008-2009)
• Street Court (2009-2010)
• Judge Wapner's Animal Court
• Judge Jeanine Pirro (2008-2011)
• Judge Karen's Court (2010-2011)

See also

• Game show
• Reality television

References

1. ^ Luckett v. Panos, 161 Cal. App. 4th 77, 73 Cal. Rptr. 3d 745 (2008).
2. ^ Podlas, Kimberliane. "PLEASE ADJUST YOUR SIGNAL: HOW TELEVISION'S SYNDICATED COURTROOMS BIAS OUR JUROR CITIZENRY." American Business Law Journal, 2001.

External links

• TV Judges - Judge Shows on Television
• Judging nine TV judges