Randy Douthit Shares Lessons Learned From Judge Judy
Judge Judy is a TV series where Judge Judith Sheindlin adjudicates small claims court cases on her talk show and then, for two seasons, presided over a law-themed reality television show, Judge Judy. Randy Douthit shares lessons learned from Judge Judy.
The series is the top-rated program in the daytime and the highest-rated program on first-run syndication, averaging 10 million viewers daily. The show’s season’s average around 250 episodes per season, and the show is said to generate a billion dollars a year in revenue.
Randy Douthit shares lessons learned from Judge Judy:
- Have high standards of integrity
Sheindlin has a reputation for acerbic wit and banter, strict adherence to courtroom protocol, and careful consideration of the facts in her cases. She cracks a few jokes in most episodes before calling on attorneys or witnesses to answer her questions. She frequently interrupts court proceedings with caustic observations or wisecracks, causing defendants and witnesses to laugh nervously while continuing their testimony.
- Have high professionalism
Sheindlin doesn’t allow her professional demeanor to waver during a trial. She has a reputation for dismissing inappropriate comments, sympathy expressions, and fellow judges’ indictments. (She politely addresses the viewers in her first sentence on the show.
- Be pleasant but firm
Sheindlin is exceptionally patient and understanding of the litigants, even when they express hostility or aggressiveness toward each other. She usually asks litigants to address her as “Judge Judy” rather than her first name.
- Be a disciplinarian
Sheindlin exhibits a quick temper and stern voice when she finds out that the parties have pre-judged the case or have lied in their testimony.
- Be a leader
Sheindlin is so respected that when she presides over a courtroom full of men, they all watch her rather than the man in the case. When Sheindlin takes over the proceedings, all others stop what they are doing.
- Bring in a mystery
Sheindlin is well known for bringing in someone outside the courtroom to analyze the case and give her input to the judge. This is usually done as a surprise, which can effectively convince the defendant that they will lose if they don’t settle quickly.