4 answers
Franklin
Student
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
5
Questions
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what are some main difference between judges in tv and real judges?
#law #attorney #judge
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4 answers
Dianne Francisco, JD
Case Clerk
3
Answers
Palo Alto, California
Updated
Dianne’s Answer
Hi Franklin,
This is a great question as some people may believe that how judges act on TV are indicative of how judges act in real life!
"Reality" courtrooms create a false understanding and expectation of how judges behave. On TV, the judge is portrayed as someone who orders the parties to explain certain facts and then prematurely cuts off the person's explanation, sometimes even calling them names. Many times, TV judges jump to conclusions without hearing the story in its entirety. This type of behavior would not work well in a real courtroom because real judges encourage parties to provide full facts and evidence.
TV court shows tend to illustrate bench trials. A bench trial has no jury, and the judge is the one who decides the outcome of the case. While bench trials do exist beyond the realms of television, there are also jury trials. In a jury trial, the judge makes sure that the jury does not hear facts that would be prejudicial against the other party. Here's another way to think about it: going to court is like going to play a sport. The judge is the referee and makes sure that everyone in the sport is being fair and playing a clean game. As a referee, the judge is not biased and has no preference on who wins the game. It is the jury's decision to decide if a person is guilty or innocent. On TV, judges tend to give their opinion about the parties. In real life, judges do not give their opinion so they can avoid influencing the jury.
If you would like to see firsthand the judge's role, I encourage you to visit your local courthouse. The majority of trials are open to the public, so you can walk in and watch the trial!
This is a great question as some people may believe that how judges act on TV are indicative of how judges act in real life!
"Reality" courtrooms create a false understanding and expectation of how judges behave. On TV, the judge is portrayed as someone who orders the parties to explain certain facts and then prematurely cuts off the person's explanation, sometimes even calling them names. Many times, TV judges jump to conclusions without hearing the story in its entirety. This type of behavior would not work well in a real courtroom because real judges encourage parties to provide full facts and evidence.
TV court shows tend to illustrate bench trials. A bench trial has no jury, and the judge is the one who decides the outcome of the case. While bench trials do exist beyond the realms of television, there are also jury trials. In a jury trial, the judge makes sure that the jury does not hear facts that would be prejudicial against the other party. Here's another way to think about it: going to court is like going to play a sport. The judge is the referee and makes sure that everyone in the sport is being fair and playing a clean game. As a referee, the judge is not biased and has no preference on who wins the game. It is the jury's decision to decide if a person is guilty or innocent. On TV, judges tend to give their opinion about the parties. In real life, judges do not give their opinion so they can avoid influencing the jury.
If you would like to see firsthand the judge's role, I encourage you to visit your local courthouse. The majority of trials are open to the public, so you can walk in and watch the trial!
thank you, this was really helpful!
Franklin
Donna Bader
Attorney
24
Answers
Yachats, OR
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Essentially, real judges judge and TV judges act. The scripts for TV will not always be accurate as to court procedures and civil law. The scripts are designed for the maximum impact to include conflict and drama. A TV show will not show how much a judge depends on written documents or legal research. Clients put too much emphasis on what happens in the courtroom. In the appellate courts, oral argument is a nice bonus but the justices rarely change their minds after analyzing the briefs, researching the law, and writing a draft opinion, most often before oral argument.
Diana Nash
2
Answers
Updated
Diana’s Answer
All judges are sworn to uphold the law in an unbiased way.
A television judge is not only upholding the law, he or she must also entertain the viewers. So the tv judge must create a consistant personality. For example, Judge Judy is know for her tough, no nonsense attitude. Besides a personality, the tv judge has to develop a story with a beginning, middle and an ending.
Judges in court have to get through cases represented by attorneys and the client's paperwork. They also have to make sure the acused's rights are being met. Depending on the judge's assignment, he or see may be hearing long or short cases.
Most court proceedings are open to the public. Call your local courthouse for their hearing schedule.
A television judge is not only upholding the law, he or she must also entertain the viewers. So the tv judge must create a consistant personality. For example, Judge Judy is know for her tough, no nonsense attitude. Besides a personality, the tv judge has to develop a story with a beginning, middle and an ending.
Judges in court have to get through cases represented by attorneys and the client's paperwork. They also have to make sure the acused's rights are being met. Depending on the judge's assignment, he or see may be hearing long or short cases.
Most court proceedings are open to the public. Call your local courthouse for their hearing schedule.
thank you! what are some tips for when watching real court cases?
Franklin
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
147
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Funny story - Judge Judy was a real Judge in New York Family Court when asked to audition for the TV spot. The rest is history! Real Judges can be tough and exacting. They expect you to be prepared and know your case inside and out! Judges are generally over worked and have a great deal of responsibility. Real Judges often have to figure out family issues, criminal issues, medical issues. Being a real Judge can be very emotional and intellectually challenging. Judges don't know everything, but they try their best to do the best they can! TV Judges, like Judge Judy now, have smaller cases that have limited consequences. TV Judges have stagged cases. Each TV show is different so they have different cases. TV cases are entertainment - real cases not so much! One factor, TV Judges usually get paid a lot more than real Judges! Ask Judge Judy - her son is still a lawuer in New York - and a nice guy!
thank you so much!
Franklin