I think that she must be the only judge in the country to reject notarized statements. She gives the memorable line, "I don't care if you have the Declaration of Independence. The person is not here." I have seen all of the other TV judges accept notarized statements, so that is a unique feeling that Judy has.
shareShe accepts anything that will support whatever theory she has in mind. If it doesn't do that, she won't accept anything - even police reports. She stated few times "when police officers go to law school, then I'll care about what they wrote in the police reports". However, other 99% of the time she'll accept police reports and believe every word on it.
Or medical records ... Sometimes she accepts it, sometimes she doesn't. It all depends if it will support whatever theory she has in her mind.
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When I die, I want to be buried face down. That way whoever doesn't like me can kiss my ass.
I don't know about that but I do know she doesn't 'do' affidavits. I think it is because, if the witness/whomever's statement was worth their salt, then they would make a point to be there.
Oh God. Fortune vomits on my eiderdown once more.
For some reason she believes ER doctors and policemen never make mistakes. I guess she's never been treated by an ER intern who has been working 45 hours straight with very little sleep, or ever needed a policeman who's had a hectic day and is ready to clock out in 15 minutes. She has no concept of reality.
"Splodey heads keep splodin' " - Sarah Palin, 7-1-16
JJ has stated hundreds of times why she doesn't take notarized statements- unless they're in the military on active duty, she won't accept them because they don't allow her to cross examine them. It's that simple. She knows most police officers or doctors will not be allowed to take 3-4 days off work in order to fly to California to testify on a small claims court tv show, so she will accept police or medical reports. Plus, those reports are more likely to be objective, as they have no vested interest in the outcome.
As for notarized statements, they're nothing. All they are are papers that were signed in front of a notary republic, who stamps that they witnessed the person sign it. They can still lie in the statement. I love how people act shocked that she wouldn't accept notarized statements as evidence- I guess people think they're as sacred as blood oaths lol!
She knows most police officers or doctors will not be allowed to take 3-4 days off work in order to fly to California to testify on a small claims court tv show, so she will accept police or medical reports.
I know! I can't. however, most people who appear on her show are not that professional. they are hourly workers. they don't work they don't get paid.
Oh God. Fortune vomits on my eiderdown once more.
Most of the people appearing on Judge Judy don't have jobs to take time off from.
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I'm your Huckleberry.
Good point, pvd, except since when are the people who appear on JJ 'professional?' Seems like nearly every party and their witnesses are on disability!
Another point about doctors and police- if their employers would let them take a few days off to testify for small claims court, EVERY professional would do it! In my job, when I get a subpoena for a court case (not small claims), my agency charges whichever party subpoenaed me. Can you imagine hospitals or doctor's offices letting doctors leave every time there's a small claims court about a pit bull attack?
Same thing with police. All they can testify to is what they wrote in the report. Any questions JJ would ask would simply have them look at the report anyway, in order to answer her question. Are police reports and medical examinations 100% accurate and objective? Probably not, but their are certainly more objective than a first hand account.
Another point about doctors and police- if their employers would let them take a few days off to testify for small claims court, EVERY professional would do it! In my job, when I get a subpoena for a court case (not small claims), my agency charges whichever party subpoenaed me. Can you imagine hospitals or doctor's offices letting doctors leave every time there's a small claims court about a pit bull attack?
Except, a notarized letter just means a person signed the letter, not that they're telling the truth. It's not inherent truth.
shareThe same thing could be said about police report too. Cop wrote it - its not necessarily the truth.
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When I die, I want to be buried face down. That way whoever doesn't like me can kiss my ass.
MANY (if not MOST) professional people can't take 3 - 4 days off from work in order to fly to California for a small claims court TV show.
She knows most police officers or doctors will not be allowed to take 3-4 days off work in order to fly to California to testify on a small claims court tv show, so she will accept police or medical reports.
JJ has stated hundreds of times why she doesn't take notarized statements- unless they're in the military on active duty, she won't accept them because they don't allow her to cross examine them. It's that simple.
But I guess you can cross-examine police reports or medical reports?
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When I die, I want to be buried face down. That way whoever doesn't like me can kiss my ass.
Whistling in the dark...
shareBut I guess you can cross-examine police reports or medical reports?
Well, if this was actually a court of law, then you might have a point. But since it's a TV show and the participants all agree to be bound by Judy's determination and rules, it's not the same thing at all.
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Shooting has started on my latest movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5531336/
Because reading written statements makes boring TV.
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I'm your Huckleberry.
She's explained it multiple times over the years. She's said that she cannot question an affidavit. Since this is a television show based on binding arbitration and not an actual court of law, she is not bound to follow the established rules of evidence where the show is taped.
Regarding police reports: she will read them and accept observations an officer has made in a report, however she will reject any legal conclusion that the officer makes in the report. So if the officer says: "It was Party A's fault" or "Party B was clearly at fault" she rejects those conclusions since the police officer has not a law degree.
In the end, she has full reign and control over the rules in her television "court".
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Shooting has started on my latest movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5531336/
she will reject any legal conclusion that the officer makes in the report. So if the officer says: "It was Party A's fault" or "Party B was clearly at fault" she rejects those conclusions since the police officer has not a law degree.