Top 10 Times Judge Milian Owned People on The People's Court

At first, Judge Milian thinks this plaintiff is wrong for suing for rent he already paid. He doesn’t technically disagree, as his priority is the security deposit. Regardless, the defendant starts digging herself into a hole, and once the judge sees the conditions of the illegal basement apartment, she really changes her tune. Turning her attention to the neglectful defendant, she doesn’t mince words. The landlord’s odd calmness as she tries to explain why she’s not responsible doesn’t earn her any points, either. Milian tries to appeal to her compassion, if it exists, and forces her to confront the fact that charging someone rent to live in uninhabitable conditions is morally bankrupt.

Marva Utley’s daughter was so distraught that the bakery gave them the wrong flavor of cake for her birthday that she stormed out of her party. The day was apparently ruined, and Utley wants the baker to pay for the cost of the cake – and the entire shindig. Judge Milian can’t help but make light of the situation because it's too ridiculous to take seriously. However, the judge is offended that Utley would sue for a whopping $1500, especially since her kid is literally a grown woman. Milian instead takes aim at the (absent) daughter, calling out how spoiled and ungrateful she sounds. Everyone else who is in touch with reality would agree.

If there’s one thing Judge Milian can’t stand, it’s a litigant hiding behind religion when they’ve done wrong. Defendant Joseph Brusca is accused of selling a teenager a useless phone. It doesn’t take the judge long to decide exactly how guilty he is. But Brusca’s contention that he’s a “man of God” really, really gets under her skin. She’s not letting him off that easily. In fact, she can’t help but let him squirm a little, because she’s not quite sure any god would be all that thrilled at him dragging his faith into this.

Like a skilled assassin, Judge Milian lies in wait, setting car dealership manager Reynoso up for a massive smackdown. She lets him explain why the plaintiff’s warranty didn’t kick in, then drops the bomb that she had already called the company, and found out there never was one. So, not only did he lie in court, but he also took his customer’s money for a warranty that was never purchased. This clears the way for her to eviscerate him and his nonsensical excuses. Give this cameraperson an Emmy. Because the way they slowly push in on Reynoso as the judge rakes him over the coals is truly spectacular.

Anthony Geno Martinson sues the parents of a teen for attempting to get a restraining order against him, although as the case goes on, it becomes clear they had good reason. Martinson transported their daughter out of town without their consent. There’s something more than meets the eye here, and the judge clearly senses it. The plaintiff’s inappropriate relationship with the daughter has gotten so bad that the judge becomes furious. She blows up at him, saying he must be out of his mind to think what he’s doing is okay. Ultimately, she makes it clear that he needs to stay away.

Few disputes between exes are as reprehensible as this. Judge Milian has plenty to say to the gullible plaintiff, who bought a ring for her ex-boyfriend to give to his mother. But it was actually an engagement ring he wanted for his other girlfriend. Defendant Raymond Greene-Sutherland can’t tell a consistent story to save his life, and can’t own up to his disgusting behavior. Judge Milian has a lot of fun laying out his misdeeds, having him walk her through every single terrible decision, and forcing him to explain them. By the end, she sums him up with some choice and honest words.

Plaintiff Quincy and his cousin, defendant Imani, have the good sense not to use their last names on TV. A fight escalated into an all-out assault between them and their acquaintances, which led to car damage. What really floors Judge Milian, though, is that the pair are supposedly devoted churchgoers. Quincy is even looking to become a minister. That didn’t stop him from egging on his friends to fight his cousin, though. The hypocrisy of the whole thing leaves a bad taste in our mouth, and Judge Milian’s assessment is a necessary palate cleanser. Her damning statement, which basically says they need to practice more of what they preach, provides a much-needed reality check. Not that either one is able to hear it.

Here’s yet another dispute between cousins. Two of them end up in court over the ownership of a small dog. Defendant Christopher Colgan probably didn’t expect his snide, repugnant, and cruel messages to the plaintiff to be read aloud on TV, but she didn’t just do it to embarrass him. We learn he’s a Marine who’s trying to become a cop. Judge Milian can’t believe it. It’s so entertaining to watch her verbally destroy him in front of countless people. But her biggest and most valid complaint is that this is not the kind of man who should be able to hide behind a police badge. Watching him eat his words is satisfying, even if he’s legally in the right in the case.

Sometimes, compassion and grace is what separates Judge Milian from other TV judges. In this case, though, she reserves all her understanding for the plaintiff, who became the target of a defamatory and disgusting campaign of Internet harassment. The defendant insists he’s not at fault. He’s acting like he holds no responsibility and didn’t do anything wrong because he was just doing what his client, a lawyer, wanted. Except the judge doesn’t buy that. She tells him point blank that he knowingly spread lies for money, and that makes him completely undeserving of her respect. It’s a devastating, even-keeled takedown. The camera slowly pushing in on the defendant to capture his shame is just the cherry on top.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Is It Just Me?”
Two Ex-Friends Left Their Evidence & Their Good Sense at Home

No Business Owning a Dog
The Judge Takes on the Airheaded Owner of a Vicious Dog

Sugar Daddy
Judge Milian Knows Exactly What Happened Here

Throwing a Litigant Out
The Judge Doesn’t Take Kindly to Basically Being Called a Homophobe

“It’s Your Purse That Doesn’t Belong There!”
The Audience Actually Claps When the Judge Rules Against the Plaintiff

A massive, six-day manhunt for a teen girl led police to defendants Melinda and Christopher McManus’ door. Melinda had been aiding her son in hiding his girlfriend from her parents. Although Christopher says he had no idea, he sure doesn’t act like he’s sorry it happened – he even gets thrown out near the end. Judge Milian spends the case in a state of disbelief. That a parent could think that was a good idea, and that her husband could be so callous, enrages her. Throughout, she puts them through the wringer for the pain they’ve caused, the tax dollars wasted in the search, and their negligence and complete lack of accountability. If ever someone should leave her courtroom with their heads down, it’s these two.

Do you have a favorite Judge Milian smackdown? Tell us about it in the comments.