Judge Judy is an American arbitration-based reality court show presided over by former Manhattan family court judge Judith Sheindlin. It is the longest-running court show in American television history, and has been in production since September 1996.
The show features real-life small claims cases that are presided over by Sheindlin, who makes binding decisions on the disputes. The cases typically involve claims of up to $5,000, and are often resolved in a single episode. Judge Judy has been praised for its fast-paced format and Sheindlin’s no-nonsense approach to resolving disputes. It has also been criticized for its sensationalistic content and for exploiting its litigants.
