Top 10 Times Judge Judy Threw Cases Out of Court

In her younger and more patient days, the judge put up with a lot more disorderly conduct in her courtroom. While it may be plaintiff Charles Lanfried’s case, his witness and the defendant end up getting into a verbal back-and-forth that completely derails everything. It doesn’t take long for the snide remarks and insults to turn into full blown accusations of unflattering behavior. The judge awards Lanfried his money after less than 4 minutes, if only to get them all out of her hair. Still, the drama is far from over. Their heated exchange spills over into the hallway outside.

Two former friends are horrified when their dogs act like the animals that they are and breed a litter of puppies. Plaintiff Jeannette Plenzick says she was promised a puppy from that litter that she never received. Right away, Judge Judy thinks these two are morons. When the plaintiff accidentally says they had no contract, the judge takes this as her out to not even have to hear this case. After all, if there was no contract, there could be no breach of contract, and therefore no lawsuit. She’s not interested in these litigants’ feelings. She’s interested in the law.

Sometimes, a case comes along that’s so dumb, the judge can’t help but spin the plaintiff in a circle before sending them on their way. That’s exactly what Judge Judy did with Katie Swoboda, who sues a woman she agreed to dogsit for. The dog made a mess in her house, and Swoboda thinks the defendant should have told her this would happen. Unfortunately, no one in the room is a fortune teller. Also, because the dog was under Swoboda’s care at the time, the judge is less than sympathetic. The plaintiff can hardly believe she’s not going to get her money, which is unbelievable in itself.

An early episode sees Judge Judy hearing a case against Divine Brown, the former sex worker who became infamous due to her involvement with actor Hugh Grant. Sued by her former manager, the case erupts into a shouting match between both sides before Sheindlin tosses the whole case out. In fact, she does this not just once, but twice. Their cool-down period doesn’t help. The fight continues out in the hall even after the credits begin to roll. Even the imposing Officer Byrd can’t get them to behave themselves. You can tell this is early in the show’s run. Sheindlin would never put up with this in later seasons.

No one can sniff out the truth like Judge Judy. She starts her interrogation of these litigants by announcing that this case doesn’t sit right with her. Toying with them before she dismisses their case, she asks them a series of seemingly innocuous questions about where they live and what they do. But it soon becomes clear she’s got some more serious questions. It becomes clear that she thinks these guys might be taking advantage of the show’s generosity in flying them out to L.A by cooking up some phony lawsuit. She sends them back home to resubmit their case in the local courts, and washes her hands of them.

Judge Judy never hesitates to embarrass a litigant who she thinks deserves it. She makes a point to tell plaintiff Lisa Reid just how distasteful and petty she is for suing her former friend. The defendant, she argues, broke her toilet, most likely due to her size. Reid’s attempt to get her friend to pay for the toilet and embarrass her on national TV doesn’t go over well at all. The defendant’s sweetness makes it seem all the more cruel. When Judge Judy finally gives her parting shot, the entire audience falls apart with laughter. Clearly, they agree.

By the time Troyana Rodriguez makes her case, the judge can’t even be bothered to make heads or tails of it. Between the strange details of her relationship with defendant N’Shaia Swindeman and how she lent Swindeman a TV set, so much seems to go unspoken or just seems completely made up. Rodriguez is unsure how to even answer some of the judge’s questions. Nothing about the case makes sense. It’s not exactly a mystery the judge is interested in figuring out. She doesn’t like liars, and she especially doesn’t like having her time wasted. The plaintiff leaves without her TV and without a clue.

Kim Knowler may have strong opinions about how she runs her business, but her practices don’t endear her to the judge. Defendant Thomas Dougherty canceled a motorcycle rental he made with her business over two months in advance, but Knowler insists she gives no refunds. Now she’s suing him for fees she incurred once he contested the charges. Sheindlin lets her know right away she’s not sympathetic. That’s when things go off the rails. Knowler insists on interrupting the judge, and just can’t seem to stop herself. It’s rare to see a litigant with this much audacity.

These two litigants are already at a disadvantage with Judge Judy. Raven Miyamoto and Dache Williams are clearly living for the drama. The former friends’ petty squabbles are not exactly scintillating for the judge. She’s not interested in hearing how they’ve healed from past traumas. She just wants to know who owes what. When Miyamoto decides to openly swear at the defendant in court, the judge is out of her seat faster than you can say “dismissed.” Honestly, it seems like she was just looking for the perfect excuse to tell these two goodbye and boy did they give her one.

If there’s one thing Judge Judy hates, it’s a litigant who can’t get to the point. Plaintiff Shaughnessy Fahy is determined to give her the full story when she just wants bullet points. Fahy does everything he can to annoy her. It’s almost like he wants to get his case thrown out. After several unsuccessful attempts to rein him and his juvenile antics in, the judge is all too ready to send him back home. He can’t believe she would do this, and he even has the nerve to ask if she’s serious. Never ask Judge Judy if she’s serious.

What’s your favorite Judge Judy case? Let us know in the comments.