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Visit the offical Judge Judy web site at:
JudgeJudy.com
On her web site you can see what cases are on the docket, hear timely tips, get great advice directly from Judge Judy, find out the time and television station in your city where the Judge Judy show airs, and much more!
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Judge Judy
Judge Judith Sheindlin
Petri Hawkins Byrd
"Um is not an answer!"
An audience of over 16 million people faithfully watch Judge Judy on television five days a week.
Judy's father predicted she would be a politician or have a career where she would debate her point of view.
Even at a young age, she was never without a strong opinion and everything was always a debate to young Judy.
Judith attended college at the School of Government at American University in Washington, D.C. where she graduated in 1963.
She went on to New York Law School where she obtained her Law degree in 1965.
In 1972, Judy started her career in Family Court where she began prosecuting juvenile deliquency cases for the State of New York.
It was an emotionally taxing job, but Judy knew right away that she had found her calling in life.
She quickly became known as a very sharp, no-nonsense lawyer. In 1982, New York mayor Edward Koch appointed her to the bench as a Judge in Family Court.
Four years later she was appointed to Supervising Judge in Manhattan, and since she has heard over 20,000 cases during her career.
Judge Judy Sheindlin pioneered the "open court policy" by allowing the public and the media to view her day-to-day court proceedings
She wanted all Americans to know how they were being represented while spreading her simple message:
Take responsibility for yourself, your actions, and the children you have brought into the world!
She gained the reputation for being a swift decision-maker with no tolerence for excuses.
With her reputation of being such an outspoken judge, in February of 1993 she became the subject of an article in the Los Angeles Times.
The LA Times article led to her being profiled during a segment of 60 minutes, where she caught national attention.
In 1996, Judge Judy was approached by publisher Harper Collins and asked to write a book on her experiences.
Her book was titled "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining: America's Toughest Family Court Judge Speaks Out"
and she gave a brutally honest view of the weaknesses of the family court system, including steps to reform welfare,
stopping welfare fraud, fix foster care, stop juvenile deliquencies, and how to end frivolous lawsuits.
She also points out the inherent flaw of our system: The system rewards troubled youth with professional attention and beautiful facilities,
while leaving the good kids alone to languish in our broken-down school systems.
With her quick wit, smarts, savvy, and strong opinions, it was only a matter of time before the irrepressible Judge Judy
was discovered and brought to television. The tough but fair Judge Judy
retired from New York Family Court bench in 1996 to hold her court on national television. On September 16th, 1996 Judge Judy began national syndication.
Judy holds court as the presiding judge over real-life cases on the highly successful Judge Judy courtroom series.
In January, 1999 Judy published her second book titled Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman
The book quickly became a national best seller where Judy gives an in-depth look at women's issues:
the need to have self-esteem, independence, self-reliance, an most importantly a sense of humor.
In February 2000, Judge Judy published her third book titled: Win or Lose by How You Choose!
It was her first book for children and it was designed as a tool for parents to interact with their children.
It offers engaging illustrations that accompany series of clever questions.
The book encourages parents to discuss the answers and to evaluate the consequences of each course of action.
In July 2000, her fourth book was published with the title: Keep It Simple, Stupid: You're Smarter Than You Look
In the K.I.S.S. book, Judy shares her no-nonsense opinions on solving everyday family squabbles.
For almost thirty years, Judge Judy has spread her wisdom and she is excited to be able to bring her message to millions of people.
Judge Judith Sheindlin is married to Jerry Sheindlin, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of New York.
The second marriage for both, they have five children between them (Gregory, Jamie, Jonathan, Adam, and Nicole) and ten grandchildren.
When not producing her television show every other week in Los Angeles, Judy spends her time between Connecticut and Florida.
She enjoys working out on a daily basis, traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, snorkeling, ice skating, and shopping for good bargains.
In addition to her academic degrees, Judge Judy holds a honorary Doctor of Law degree from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania.
Petri Hawkins Byrd
"Order in the Court!"
While attending college, Petri Hawkins Byrd worked as a court officer in the Brooklyn Family Court system.
In 1986, he was transferred to the Manhattan Family Court system where he worked on a rotating basis with all of the judges (including Judge Judy) in the system.
In 1989, Byrd attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
In 1990, Byrd relocated to San Mateo, CA where he became a Special Deputy US Marshall.
In 1993, he became a student couselor at Monte Vista High School in San Mateo.
In 1996, he read the story in Liz Smith's column about Judge Judy, her book, and her television show.
Byrd sent Judge Judy a letter to congratulate her, and he jokingly asked if she would be interested in having him serve at her side again.
Judy returned his letter with a phone call and accepted his offer.
Petri Hawkins Byrd is from Brooklyn, New York, but now lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and four children.
Every other week, Byrd drives to Los Angeles to serve as the trusty court bailiff for Judge Judy.
This profile was last updated 6/2/2010 by Gary Wright II
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Books
Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining: America's Toughest Family Court Judge Speaks Out
Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman
You're Smarter Than You Look: Uncomplicating Relationships in Complicated Times
Keep It Simple, Stupid: You're Smarter Than You Look
You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover: Cool Rules for School (Sheindlin and Bob Tore)
Win or Lose by How You Choose! (Sheindlin and Bob Tore)
How to Hide Money from Your Husband And Other Time-Honored Ways to Build A Nest Egg: The Best Kept Secret of Marriage (Heidi Evans and Sheindlin)
Television
Appeared on Saturday Night Live, mentioned on Will & Grace, mentioned at the Academy Awards,
a judge for the 1999 Miss America Pageant, profiled on A&E's Biography, featured on Entertainment Tonight,
The Today Show, Dateline, CNN's Lary King Live, The Tonight Show, The View, The Rosie O'Donnell Show
Publications
New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, People, Entertainmnent Weekly,
Modern Maturity, McCalls's, Parade, Good Housekeeping, TV Guide, Time
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