America's Court with Judge Ross

Yet another scripted show, with a discredited former judge. From the LA Times: "L.A. Judge Is Removed From Bench Performance panel says the jurist used TV appearances to market himself for better job." ... Judge Kevin A. Ross -- the eighth California judge removed since 1995 -- was found to have "marketed himself as a judge in hopes that he then could leave the bench for a more lucrative career in television."

The Commission on Judicial Performance also held that Ross had 'trampled' on the rights of three defendants, including a woman he jailed for 2 1/2 days after tacking extra charges on to her case.

Ross improperly commented on a pending case on a public television show and lied in hearings and documents relating to his disciplinary charges, the commission found. ... Ross had been privately sanctioned by the commission...for abusing his authority and demeaning and humiliating defendants. 'As I have previously indicated, I accept complete responsibility for those specific actions that did not exemplify the highest standards of judicial excellence,' Ross said in a written statement. ... The commission also found Ross had misled the commission and fabricated stories during his defense. ... This case, the commission concluded, 'shows a shocking abuse of power and disregard of fundamental rights.'

I have read some of the reviews denigrating this judge and I do not agree at all. I find in most cases he is right on the money: he explains his decisions in detail -explains why he is ruling the way he does. The only downside of the show is that some of the plaintiffs/defendants seem like actors to me: I would hope, like other judge shows, they would use the real people involved in these situations.

I cannot bring myself to call this guy a 'judge' because that he is not. He is unbelievably unfair in his ludicrous decisions and comes off as really arrogant and a show-off. When he hits that gavel it's a miracle the thing doesn't break apart from how hard he feels he has to hit it. This is a ridiculous waste of prime time television and should have been taken off the air the day after it first aired. In 2005, Ross was removed from the bench for unethical practices. Google it. In part, this is what the report says: Judge Kevin A. Ross -- the eighth California judge removed since 1995 -- was found to have "marketed himself as a judge in hopes that he then could leave the bench for a more lucrative career in television." The Commission on Judicial Performance also held that Ross had "trampled" on the rights of three defendants, including a woman he jailed for 2 1/2 days after tacking extra charges on to her case. Ross improperly commented on a pending case on a public television show and lied in hearings and documents relating to his disciplinary charges, the commission found.

Judge Judy is the original and best--in part because she's wicked smart and also because she was sitting in family court in NYC when the rest of the TV judges were in grade school. None of the other TV judges can cross-examine (eviscerate) a witness as well as Judge Judy. Judge Milian (sp) is my second fave and there are a couple of the others (i.e., Judge Alex and Judge Toler) who are okay. But the rest of the TV judges are pretty lame. Either they don't know much law; or they are not smart enough and/or quick enough to make minced meat of the liars who come before them; or they lack sufficient personality (charisma?) to entertain; or they are essentially social workers wearing a black robe and sitting on a bench. Whatever the reason, we could do with fewer of them. That includes Judge Ross. Although he's easy on the eyes, it's painful to watch him discharge his judicial duties, such as they are. Most of the time, when he says "the gavel is going to come down in favor of...," I get the impression that he hasn't even made-up his mind yet. There's a pregnant, expectant pause that screams uncertainty. And his recitation and application of the law are on the light side. Perhaps that doesn't matter on TV. But, then, what's the point?

This show is really good for cringe watching at best. The plaintiffs and defendants are always terrible actors. Interesting reviews on this show are also fun to read. Surely no one thinks this is real.