Are TV Judges Real Judges?

[Iroquois]

I was bored so I thought I'd start this poll. Sometimes my parents watch Judge Judy. Just watching her scream at people gives me doubts on wether she is a real judge. Then I get to thinking about other TV judges. I've seen court cases with my grade 12 law class and never once did they act the way TV judges do. Very unprofessional.

So, are these people real judges who have been told to act this way to spice up the show, or are they simply just actors?

Another thing too. I'm not doing this as a poll but do you guys think Dr Phil is a real psychiatrist?

[Woodlouse2002]

Definatly not. I reckon being a proper judge pays better than being a judge on telly who shouts at people.

[Craig.]

they are prob real judges however how much weight their ruling actually counts for on the shows is prob zero.
i have heard that the show pays for the ruling costs anyway

[flyboy 28]

Yes, Dr. Phil is a real psychyitrist... (Spelling )

[Sock]

They cannot be real judges, it's all fake.  Nuff' said.  As for Dr. Phil...Even if he is a real psychyitrist, he's no man.

Sock

[BFMF]

I'm doubtfull about those court tv shows. I've heard people say they're not real and some people say they are.

But it could be nothing but reality tv shows

[Felix/FFDS]

I dare say that the " judges"  have been judges at one point or another.  Remember, in the US, some judges are elected, not appointed.  Some choose not to run.

For legal purposes, the rulings are binding.  Typcially these are "small claims"  courts, and in some jurisdictions, these are handled by "officers of the court" , an appointed lawyer, etc. and the parties have agreed to abide by the ruling.

Basically, what we're seeing is a "binding arbitration"  Two parties have a dispute and agree to present their respective cases to a third party who will listen to each and make a ruling, to which both parties defendant and plaintiff, have agreed to accept.

In that sense, these people are "arbitrators"  but in the case of the TV judges, who MAY have been judges in their own right at some point, they are called "Judges"

[loomex]

I know for a fact that at least one judge was real. Judge Mills Lane, who is no longer on TV due to a stroke. When I first met him he was a DA in Reno, NV. Most of you my know him as the ref at the now famous Mike Tyson bite fight. What you saw on TV was what you got for real

[Polynomial]

Apparently they are real judges but whatever payout has to be made to either the defendents or persons being prosecuted is paid by the television show.  Go figure.

[Professor Brensec]

I know that Judge Judy is a fair dinkum judge. She spent many years in the New York Family Court.

Her book "Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining" is a very funny and informative book.

I imagine she was chosen for the TV show because of her 'character' and entertainment value. It's a TV show after all, it has to be entertaining. You'd probably find that they are not quite as 'rambunctious' off air.

Here in Australia, she was quite popular. I've spent some time in Family and District Courts (representing myself in Child Support cases, trying to get money for my kids from the ex Mrs.) I always won and got the money. And yes, here the judges tell you exactly what they think of you, just short of libel............

My ex was called an irresponsible, lying pisspot (not only by me!..............lol

[Scottler]

From a legal standpoint, yes, they're real judges.  And of course they don't act the way judges are "supposed" to act..it's television.  If you've ever been in a real courtroom, or even seen legal proceedings on television, you'd realize precisely how boring it is.  lol

But to answer the question, yes, they are legal judges.  Their credibility among their peers, however, is another poll entirely.

[Professor Brensec]

Yes, an interesting point, Hype.

I'd imagine that they would be up against the same sort of 'peer criticism' as would be Doctors etc that 'sell' themselves to the media for the sake of money or fame.

It is a bit of a double standard in some cases, as I know of Doctors that don't have an 'ethical' bone in their body, but as I have said on occasion "we're all pink inside"..............