"Ask the Judge" Column continues in La Prensa, 10-23
Ask the Judge: Wanna be on the Judge Judy show?
By Judge Steve Walker
Sitting on the bench for nearly three years, I must admit I have heard some outlandish and outrageous stories while in the Small Claims Court which I affectionately refer to as the “Judge Judy Court.”
For those of you that are not aware, Judge Judy, Judge Mathis and Judge Alex from the nationally syndicated television shows all have producers who periodically come in our court and quietly peruse pending files of cases that are scheduled to be heard by me or the other Judge in Precinct 2.
The scenario is as follows. The assigned screeners sit in a designated area near the rows of files that are available to them to view and research to determine whether the cases would play well in front of a live audience in Chicago or Hollywood. If the producers feel any particular case would be good reality show material, they contact the plaintiffs and defendants in those cases to see if they would agree to appear on the show to tell their story. Both have to agree.
The incentives are well worth the litigant’s time to allow their cases to be seen on national television. The defendants have a stronger incentive to appear on the shows than the plaintiffs due to the fact that if the defendant loses the case, he/she still comes out ahead financially.
In Justice of the Peace Courts across the nation, it is much easier to win a judgment than collect a judgment. Sometimes it takes years to successfully collect the judgment owed by the defendant. Sometimes the plaintiff never collects the judgment, although the judgment stays on a person’s credit report for ten years.
When the defendant tries to sell property or buy property with a judgment on their record for example, it shows up on the report and causes financial difficulty for the defendant for years.
If the defendant loses on television, the producers of the court reality show pay the judgment. Other than the embarrassment of losing a case on TV and appearing like a fool, the defendant is no longer responsible for the debt. In other words, even if they lose, they still win and are not out any money. As stated on the television shows, “all decisions are final.” Those cases can no longer be tried in a real court.
The plaintiff’s incentive is also strong. If the plaintiff wins, he/she receives their judgment money immediately and they do not have to possibly wait months or years to collect.
The producers of Judge Judy, Judge Mathis or Judge Alex, issue a plane ticket for the plaintiff and defendant to fly to their designated cities where their show is filmed. They put them up overnight in a hotel at their expense just like all the other reality shows guests.
Usually all court shows tape the plaintiff’s and defendant’s segment the next day and then air the show at a later date. Based on real cases, the outcome is real and also becomes entertainment for the viewer.
As a sitting judge I am limited in how I conduct myself in court. I cannot talk or act likes the television judges. If I do, I will be reprimanded, sanctioned or removed from the bench. Not a good career move.
“Lastly as always, if you are due in court, be sure to show up to court on time. It is in everyone’s best interest.”
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and a former Journalist.
By Judge Steve Walker
Sitting on the bench for nearly three years, I must admit I have heard some outlandish and outrageous stories while in the Small Claims Court which I affectionately refer to as the “Judge Judy Court.”
For those of you that are not aware, Judge Judy, Judge Mathis and Judge Alex from the nationally syndicated television shows all have producers who periodically come in our court and quietly peruse pending files of cases that are scheduled to be heard by me or the other Judge in Precinct 2.
The scenario is as follows. The assigned screeners sit in a designated area near the rows of files that are available to them to view and research to determine whether the cases would play well in front of a live audience in Chicago or Hollywood. If the producers feel any particular case would be good reality show material, they contact the plaintiffs and defendants in those cases to see if they would agree to appear on the show to tell their story. Both have to agree.
The incentives are well worth the litigant’s time to allow their cases to be seen on national television. The defendants have a stronger incentive to appear on the shows than the plaintiffs due to the fact that if the defendant loses the case, he/she still comes out ahead financially.
In Justice of the Peace Courts across the nation, it is much easier to win a judgment than collect a judgment. Sometimes it takes years to successfully collect the judgment owed by the defendant. Sometimes the plaintiff never collects the judgment, although the judgment stays on a person’s credit report for ten years.
When the defendant tries to sell property or buy property with a judgment on their record for example, it shows up on the report and causes financial difficulty for the defendant for years.
If the defendant loses on television, the producers of the court reality show pay the judgment. Other than the embarrassment of losing a case on TV and appearing like a fool, the defendant is no longer responsible for the debt. In other words, even if they lose, they still win and are not out any money. As stated on the television shows, “all decisions are final.” Those cases can no longer be tried in a real court.
The plaintiff’s incentive is also strong. If the plaintiff wins, he/she receives their judgment money immediately and they do not have to possibly wait months or years to collect.
The producers of Judge Judy, Judge Mathis or Judge Alex, issue a plane ticket for the plaintiff and defendant to fly to their designated cities where their show is filmed. They put them up overnight in a hotel at their expense just like all the other reality shows guests.
Usually all court shows tape the plaintiff’s and defendant’s segment the next day and then air the show at a later date. Based on real cases, the outcome is real and also becomes entertainment for the viewer.
As a sitting judge I am limited in how I conduct myself in court. I cannot talk or act likes the television judges. If I do, I will be reprimanded, sanctioned or removed from the bench. Not a good career move.
“Lastly as always, if you are due in court, be sure to show up to court on time. It is in everyone’s best interest.”
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and a former Journalist.
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