LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — Judy Sheindlin, the iconic television personality and former New York family court judge better known as Judge Judy, is retiring from onscreen television work after approximately 30 years on the courtroom-TV bench.
Sheindlin’s current series, Judy Justice, is scheduled to release its series finale on October 22. Although she is stepping away from appearing before the camera, Sheindlin plans to remain active in television as a producer and creator.
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Her next major project is Adam’s Law, a courtroom series led by her son, Adam Levy. The show premiered in national syndication on September 14, with Sheindlin serving as its creator and executive producer.
Sheindlin discussed her decision during an appearance on Good Morning America, where Levy sat beside her.
“First of all, he’s ready,” Sheindlin said of her son. She joked that she was becoming the “Benjamin Button of court” as she moved away from the daily demands of appearing on television.
Sheindlin has also explained that she no longer wants to spend as much time on the hair, makeup and other preparations required for onscreen work. Instead, she intends to continue delivering her message through new television projects while focusing more attention on family and creative work behind the scenes.
Sheindlin’s television career began on September 16, 1996, when Judge Judy premiered in national syndication. The half-hour program featured real small-claims disputes, with Sheindlin issuing rulings and delivering the blunt, quick-witted observations that became her trademark.
Before becoming a television star, Sheindlin built a lengthy legal career in New York. After earning her law degree from New York Law School, she initially worked as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics company. She later joined the New York Family Court system as a prosecutor, handling cases involving juvenile delinquency, domestic violence and child abuse.
In 1982, New York City Mayor Ed Koch appointed Sheindlin to the family court bench. She eventually became the supervising judge of Manhattan Family Court, where her direct approach and reputation for moving cases efficiently drew public attention.
Her courtroom experience became the foundation for Judge Judy, which developed into one of the most successful programs in daytime television. The series ran for 25 seasons before ending its production run in 2021. It remained a major ratings force for years and helped inspire a wave of courtroom programs featuring judges and legal personalities.
Sheindlin’s influence extended beyond her own show. She created and executive produced additional legal and unscripted programs, including Hot Bench, Tribunal Justice and Justice on Trial. She also founded Queen Bee Productions, the company through which she has continued developing television projects.
After Judge Judy ended, Sheindlin moved to streaming with Judy Justice, which premiered in 2021 on Amazon’s Freevee service before becoming available through Amazon Prime Video. The series brought her familiar courtroom format and sharp questioning style to a new generation of viewers.
Judy Justice earned multiple Daytime Emmy Awards during its run, while Sheindlin received a Daytime Emmy for Lifetime Achievement in 2019. She was also inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2012 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Levy, who followed his mother into the legal profession, previously served as a district attorney in Putnam County, New York. He has also appeared as a judge on Tribunal Justice. Sheindlin has said that her son has the legal experience, personality and ability to carry an unscripted courtroom program.
Sheindlin’s granddaughter, Sarah Rose, has also appeared in the courtroom-TV family business as a law clerk on Judy Justice.
In addition to Adam’s Law, Sheindlin is developing Judyverse, an animated project inspired by viral artificial-intelligence videos featuring a baby version of Judge Judy. A CBS special, Judge Judy: Unfiltered, Unforgettable, is also scheduled to celebrate her three decades in television.
While Sheindlin is leaving her onscreen courtroom, her legal-TV legacy will continue through the programs she produces and the son now stepping into the spotlight.
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