Hot Bench does have real judges that are qualified legal minds with specialised expertise in various legal fields, which lends credibility to their verdicts on the show.
In the reality television genre, one of the most popular of its sub-genres is court shows.
Pioneered by the likes of Judge Judy Sheindlin through the 1996 premiere of Judge Judy, the judge and reality star is behind one of the most original takes on the sub-genre, Hot Bench, which premiered in 2014.
Each of the judges on the three-judge panel style of the court drama was reportedly handpicked by Sheindlin for their experience and expertise in law.
While most of the judges on the show did not have prior experience as judges, Patricia DiMango and Michael Corriero are the most experienced judges on Hot Bench.
What happened to Hot Bench’s Judge Larry Bakman?
If you watched Hot Bench from its first season, then a judge that you would likely be familiar with is Larry Bakman.
He was part of the first two seasons of the show until he was replaced with Judge Michael Corriero at the beginning of season three. Beloved by viewers for his rapid questions to litigants, it came as a surprise when he left the show so abruptly.
However, it seems that the small claims cases were not fulfilling for Bakman, as he explained his departure on Facebook, writing in part, “I am incredibly swamped with my practice. The cases over there are big-time and include things along the lines of domestic violence, solicitation of murder, and voluntary manslaughter”.
Does Hot Bench have real judges?
Yes, Hot Bench does use real judges to deliberate and hand down a mostly unanimous verdict for most of the cases in the courtroom.
Of course, as highlighted, Larry Bakman was not a judge but a lawyer whose legal expertise were focused on federal weapons charges, solicitation of murder, voluntary manslaughter, and domestic violence cases.
Moreover, another “judge” on the panel who did not have experience as a judge prior to their inclusion on Hot Bench was Tanya Acker.
Before Hot Bench, Acker was a sought-after commentator and advocate. It is reported that before the release of the court show, Acker prepped by serving as a temporary judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which was at the behest of Sheindlin.
Patricia DiMango, on the other hand, was a revered judge by the time she was asked to be part of the show. She earned a reputation for being able to resolve high volumes of cases, so lawyers suggested that she needed her own show.
Therefore, when she received the call and Sheindlin explained, “I’m looking for someone like me, only younger”, she took on the job.
Both judges, Acker and DiMango, on Hot Bench, marked their departure from the court show with the end of season eight in September 2022. This is as they are now set to front the Sheindlin executively produced Amazon Freevee court show, Tribunal.
Is Michael Corriero a real judge?
Judge Michael Corriero is the only remaining judge from previous seasons of Hot Bench after the exit of Judge Patricia DiMango and Tanya Acker from the show before its season nine premiere.
At the time of joining the show, Corriero was quoted as saying that he joined the cast because Judy Sheindlin was persuasive and he “felt comfortable that I could act the way I’ve always acted”.
Before appearing on Hot Bench, Corriero had no prior television experience, but he had worked 28 years as a judge with a particular focus on youth court and he is touted to have spearheaded rehabilitation programs for young offenders.
Is Yodit Tewolde a real judge?
Similarly to Tanya Acker, new incoming judge Yodit Tewolde is an advocate, though she will be serving as a judge on Hot Bench. She is a former prosecutor and defence attorney who is the founder and managing attorney of her own criminal defence firm.
But what arguably made her an ideal fit for the court show is her extensive television and commentating experience as a legal analyst and the host of Making the Case, a contributor to America’s Most Wanted, and an anchor and journalist for Court TV.
Networks who had worked with Tewolde frequently in the past include CNN and MSNBC.
Is Rachel Juarez a real judge?
Similarly to Tanya Acker before her upcoming premiere as a judge on Hot Bench, Rachel Juarez served as a Temporary Judge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court Temporary Judge Program.
However, Juarez had a specific focus on civil cases for larger corporate clients. But then she co-founded a family law practice which specialises in representing high-income individuals in divorce and other family law matters.
