Legendary TV judge Judy Sheindlin, best known as Judge Judy from the long-running Judge Judy (1996–2021), has launched a new series, Justice on Trial, on Prime Video, and it’s quickly become one of the hottest entertainment searches in July 2025.
What Is Justice on Trial Series?
Premiering July 21, 2025, Amazon debuted all eight episodes at once. Unlike her prior arbitration shows, this series is structured as a true-crime courtroom docuseries, re-examining landmark U.S. legal cases with arguably unjust outcomes.
Sheindlin serves as the trial judge, with Tribunal Justice judges Tanya Acker, Patricia DiMango, and Adam Levy hearing appeals. Reenactments, trial transcripts, news footage, and expert commentary drive each episode’s narrative.
In her own words:
“Judges do not make law. They interpret the law. Judges are people. Sometimes they get it wrong.”
The program invites viewers to question whether legal outcomes—legal, yes—were truly just. It challenges assumptions around free speech, evidence admissibility, and legal fairness, aiming to educate and provoke deeper thinking.
Who Is Judy Sheindlin?
Born October 21, 1942, in Brooklyn, Sheindlin graduated from New York Law School and began her legal career as a prosecutor in Manhattan family court. She became a judge in 1982 and supervising judge in 1986 before transitioning into media in 1996.
Her trailblazing Judge Judy show ran for 25 seasons, drawing up to 10 million daily viewers, prominent in daytime TV history. She later launched Judy Justice (2021–present) on Amazon Freevee/Prime Video and produced Tribunal Justice as well.
Today, Sheindlin’s estimated net worth hovers between $440M–500M, thanks to syndication, high salaries, library sales, and production success, including Queen Bee Productions deals.
What to Watch For in Justice on Trial
Each episode revisits a real case where legal outcomes sparked national debate, like suppressed evidence or disputed free speech limits.
Supporting panel: Judges Tanya Acker, Patricia DiMango, Adam Levy, and veteran trial lawyers Daniel Mentzer and Larry Bakman offer appellate insights.
The show blends legal analysis with dramatic reenactment, though some reviews criticize its staged presentation and dramatic tone, some even call for skipping it.
How to Watch Justice on Trial
You can stream all eight episodes of Justice on Trial exclusively on Prime Video, starting July 21, 2025. New users can try Prime’s 30-day free trial, with monthly subscription billed at $14.99, or discounted rates for young adults or government assistance users.
From Judge Judy to Justice on Trial: Her Evolution
| Phase | Format | Focus |
| Judge Judy (1996–2021) | Small‑claims arbitration | Real people, real disputes |
| Judy Justice (2021+) | Arbitration-based streaming | Modern cases, higher stakes |
| Tribunal Justice (2023+) | Three-judge panel | Behind-the-scenes legal discussion |
| Justice on Trial (2025) | Docuseries & reenactment | Landmark criminal cases + historical review |
Sheindlin has progressed from quick-hit small claims to substantive legal analysis, placing justice itself under the microscope.
Is Justice on Trial Worth Your Time?
If you’re intrigued by true crime or want to rethink fairness in historical verdicts, this show offers both drama and depth. While its theatrical style may divide viewers, it stands out as Sheindlin’s boldest legal venture yet—reintroducing her as not just an arbiter, but a legal storyteller with serious questions about justice.
Whether it delivers or disappoints, Justice on Trial is trending because Judge Judy is asking us to judge the justice system itself.