Justice on Trial on Prime Video: Who is Judith Sheindlin, aka Judge Judy? Details about new legal docuseries' face, explored 

Judith Sheindlin, once a family court judge and popular for featuring in a long-running drama, Judge Judy, is returning with another legal docuserie: Justice on Trial.

Judge Judy, at the time, ran for 25 years straight from 1996 to 2021. Recently, her name has again hit the headlines because the new true crime series blends high-profile crime cases with fictional reenactment based on actual courtroom stories and decodes whether the judicial system is always right. Justice on Trial streams on Amazon Prime, and the 82-year-old Judith still appears to wield her signature death stare and tough courtroom persona.

Read on to know who Judith is and the details we know about the legal docuseries.

Who is Judith Sheindlin featured in Prime Video drama Justice on Trial?

Judith Sheindlin, popularly known as Judge Judy, who is the iconic no-nonsense TV judge, was featured in a popular court drama in 1996. The show hosted over 7000 episodes and ran for 25 years. After that, Judy built a legal content empire at Amazon’s Freevee and Prime Video, like Judy Justice and Tribunal Justice in 2023, featuring her family members.

While Judge Judy and Judy Justice are based on small-claims cases with real litigants in arbitration, “Justice on Trial” takes a broader, more analytical view of real-life legal controversies, potentially incorporating interviews, case files, and expert commentary.

The show is made to be more investigative and reflective, offering a deep dive into how the justice system operates and are it is always right. Sheindlin’s role as the host and narrator brings her years of legal insight and trademark candour.

Here are some cases Judith addressed in Justice on Trial

The show features the 1989 case in which Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their parents. While speaking with USA Today, Judith unapologetically answered that even if the two are doing well in prison, they can't get another chance.

"What we know about the Menendez brothers is that they killed both of their parents. As we know, after they killed their parents, they went on a buying spree. They got a jury trial, and they were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. They've done incredibly well in prison, but that doesn't mean they get another chance. That is their sentence. Until Kitty Menendez can stand up before a judge and say, 'Give them another chance,' the jury and the courts have spoken. Now you have my answer. I'm going to get a lot of flak for that."

Therefore, Judy emphasises the finality of the court’s sentence and the gravity of the crime. Her comment highlights the victims' lack of voice, particularly referencing Kitty Menendez.

Secondly, in the same interview, Sheindlin also revealed that because the show spans recreations of trials decades apart, she also dons different robes and even changes her hairstyle to reflect each case’s period.

She does wear the original "Judge Judy" robe in at least one episode of Justice on Trial, but with a different collar — not the iconic lace one viewers are used to. Sheindlin cheekily admits:

“I think it’s the original robe because I took it when I left. It’s worn in spots. I hope CBS doesn’t want it back. But it was mine. And CBS has enough problems without worrying about my robe.”

Therefore, at the age of 82, reprising a role, as the anchor and narrator this time, Judith Sheindlin is an inspiration. Indeed, nobody would have been better than her.

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Watch the show only on Amazon Prime.

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