Top 10 Outrageous Karens on Judge Judy

#10: You’re a Hustler

When a property was taken over by a new tenant, plaintiff Alana Rader didn’t go back to collect her belongings for several months after she left. Now she’s in court suing the new tenant for throwing her abandoned items away. Apparently, as she tells Judge Judy, she had been told that she could keep it there through the first day of his lease. Well, that’s not how leases work. The judge doesn’t seem sympathetic at all. Whether or not Rader sees it that way, the judge doesn’t believe a woman leaves her items for that long without paying if she’s not playing some kind of angle.

#9: Taking A Fence

It’s a terrible day in the neighborhood. Just ask plaintiff Bob Ketcherside, who seems to be a one-man HOA unto himself. When his neighbor painted his side of their shared fence, Ketcherside was outraged by the color he chose. It was simply not to his liking. The hilarious thing is that Ketcherside can’t even see the color from his house. The neighborly feud turned hostile to the point that they ended up before Judge Judy. All this over the color of a fence he can’t see unless he goes out of his way to look at it. This case is proof - if any were needed - that you don’t need to be a woman to be a Karen.

#8: The Dog Whisperer

Katie Swoboda is really, really upset that Lauren Coyle’s dog made a mess in her home. Of course, Swoboda was dog-sitting at the time. So while the dog may belong to Coyle, she wasn’t responsible for it at the time. Apparently, it was also Coyle’s responsibility to see into the future and tell her that her dog would destroy her home. Yeah, that one’s not gonna fly with Judge Judy. This case is over before it begins, and Swoboda actually seems stunned at the idea that her complaint is in fact ridiculous. The judge doesn’t sugarcoat it either.

#7: I Said No Refunds

In this case, the Karen is the manager of a motorcycle rental company. Kim Knowler seems to run her business with an iron fist. Defendant Thomas Dougherty booked a motorcycle from her and then canceled that reservation less than a day later. But that doesn’t sit well with Kim Knowler. She insists she doesn’t give refunds. In fact, she wants him to recompense her for taxes and her own inconvenience. Rather than keep a longtime customer, Knowler declares war over a $390 rental that was canceled over two months in advance. Knowler also doesn’t know when to shut up, a major sin in Judy Judy’s courtroom. She loses the case and, we can only assume, Dougherty’s future business.

#6: But There Was No Zipline, Your Honor

Claudia Airola just wanted to zipline with her family. She and her children rented a cabin near a ziplining business, only to find out the business was closed. Airola had her bank refund her for the rental despite staying in the place for two days. But Airola’s defense is that the cabin owners were guilty of false advertising. Though the plaintiffs don’t run the zipline business, Airola believes that her vacation was ruined by the business being closed, and so she shouldn’t have to even pay for the rental. After a brief visit to fantasy land, Judge Judy has to give her a lecture on reality.

#5: “You Sound Like a Fool”

Karla Sanchez Lopez can’t help herself. Her friend’s dog has been accused of a heinous and vicious biting and she must right this injustice, even if it means interrupting the judge, apparently. Unfortunately, her incessant commentary and unwillingness to hear what Judge Judy is saying doesn’t get her very far. After her whole argument, such as it is, is destroyed by logic, she just starts talking back like a scolded child. You know things aren’t going your way if you’re actually saying the words “that’s your opinion” to a judge. The whole thing is hilarious and kind of painful to watch.

#4: Freedom of Speech

This case has two Karens for the price of one. Luckily for the entire neighborhood, they live right next door to each other. Stephen Hesley was offended by defendant Sheila Blazofsky letting her twigs fall onto his property. A spat erupted between the two, police reports were filed, and Blazofsky decided to invoke her first amendment rights with a bullhorn and some foul language. Unfortunately, there’s a fine, fine line between protesting and disorderly conduct and the judge suggests she find it. It started out with some twigs, how did it end up like this?

#3: “The Most Annoying Person”

This defendant has a great defense. However, you wouldn’t know it from how many times she insists on speaking when it’s not her turn. Being sued for false advertising over a cottage rental, defendant Ellen Schneiderman demands to be heard. Although she insists she’s not sure when she should talk, this doesn’t exactly stop her. Everything the plaintiff says, she immediately counters even after she’s been warned repeatedly. She’s lucky the judge doesn’t throw her case out just because she’s annoyed with her. In fact, Judge Judy tells her that right to her face. Even Officer Byrd tells her to shut up at one point.

#2: Hey, Your Daughter Hit My Car

In this case, school pickup almost ended in tragedy. Plaintiff Robin Brook was picking up her sons when the defendant’s daughter was crossing the street. Brook hit the girl with her car, causing injury. But the worst was yet to come. Brook’s side mirror was broken in the accident and she wants recompense. Clearly, she’s in need of a little perspective, and the judge does her best to provide it. Unfortunately, she seems to reject the idea that she’s not the victim in this scenario. Yes, she agrees that so much worse could have happened here. But she still wants to be paid for her broken mirror.

#1: $5,000 Haircut

Plaintiff Carlos Campos has no chance. From the moment he walks in, the judge calls his lawsuit over a $10 haircut a complete waste of time. He takes his complaint about his unsatisfactory haircut way too far, suing for the small claims maximum of $5,000. Some people might just go for the refund. But apparently this is a matter of principle for the plaintiff. Judge Judy can’t identify any principles here. She pokes a little fun at Campos’ hubris before sending him away with $10, and frankly, he should be thankful he got that much.


How would you have ruled on these courtroom Karens? Let us know in the comments.