Stories about judges | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

New York's Family Court and Judge Judith Sheindlin00:11

If you want to get a fix on what's gone wrong with the American family and the American city, spend some time in New York's family court. There you'll see the battered child, the crack mother, the 10-year-old mugger, the burned-out social worker, the nitpicking lawyer, all sloshing through the well-meaning swamp called the child welfare system. Presiding is Judge Judith Sheindlin, a 5'2" package of attitude. She is shrill and testy.

Unless he's in a hospital, he's to be in school. Clear, sir. This is not a legal game. Counselor, this witness may not have a terrific memory, but I've got a very good memory, sir.

Good. Well, what do you want me to give him a testimonial dinner? Thank you very much. Step out.

Pity the young lawyer who questions her judgment.

Well, are you suggesting, Miss Gutierrez, that if I placed him on probation, he would never go visit his mother? Are you suggesting that? So let's be real.

To those who confront her, she is the evil queen in a lace collar.

If that's too hard for you, sir, I guarantee you I will put you someplace where you're going to be in bed at 9:00 and at school every day. That's where the rest of your friends are.

She deals with legal procedures with a scalpel.

So your objections noted. It's overruled. Have a seat. No. No. Listen to me. This is not a tea party. You make an objection, I rule.

The players are the judge, lawyers, case workers, addicted parents, and castaway children.