For 25 seasons, from September 16, 1996, to July 23, 2021, Sheindlin starred in her eponymous top Nielsen-rated court show, Judge Judy.

[1][2] Sheindlin became the longest-serving television arbitrator in courtroom-themed programming history, a distinction that earned her a place in the Guinness World Records in 2015.

On November 1, 2021, Sheindlin launched the spinoff streaming series Judy Justice on IMDb TV (now Amazon Freevee), another arbitration-based reality court show in which she handles legal disputes.

[13] Sheindlin graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn in 1961 and American University in Washington, D.C., receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in government.

In her role as a lawyer, Sheindlin prosecuted cases involving child abuse, domestic violence and juvenile offenders.

[15] In February 1993, Sheindlin's reputation made her the subject of a Los Angeles Times article written by Josh Getlin (inspired by his wife Heidi, both of whom Sheindlin credits with her rise to fame)[16] that profiled her as a woman determined to make the court system work for the common good.

[23] During the show's active run, author Brendan I. Koerner commented on its popularity: Court-show viewers don't seem to want moral conundrums or technical wrinkles.

[24]A 2013 Reader's Digest poll revealed that Americans trusted Judge Judy more than they did all nine justices of the United States Supreme Court.

[26] References to Sheindlin have appeared in many television programs, including Jimmy Kimmel Live!,[25] The Simpsons, Will & Grace, America's Next Top Model, The Weakest Link, The Practice, the Academy Awards telecasts, Betty White's 2nd Annual 90th Birthday,[27] RuPaul's Drag Race, Saturday Night Live and The Amanda Show.

'[34]On September 14, 2015, Guinness World Records recognized Sheindlin as the longest-serving judge or arbiter in courtroom-themed programming history and as having the longest-running courtroom show.

[48] Sheindlin ended the series while discontented with ViacomCBS and facing lawsuits from Rebel Entertainment, also stating that "25 is a good round number" with which to finish.

The program is aired through streaming service Amazon Freevee (originally under the name IMDb TV during the show's first season).

The court show has been characterized as a "hip" rendition of Judge Judy, featuring Gen Z input from Sheindlin's young-adult granddaughter, frequent use of a stenographer to quote testimony to settle discrepancies, Sheindlin's conspicuous robe color, a modernized courtroom set and cases that have been described as more sensational because of fewer time constraints and higher monetary award limits than on Judge Judy.

[60][61][62] On April 28, 2022, it was announced that Byrd would appear in Tribunal Justice, a courtroom series created and produced by Sheindlin and her production team.

Tribunal Justice will feature former Hot Bench judges Tanya Acker and Patricia DiMango along with Sheindlin's son, former district attorney Adam Levy.

[73] On October 17, 1998, Sheindlin made a surprise guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, comedically interrupting Cheri Oteri's parody of her on Judge Judy.

[74] That same year, Sheindlin appeared as herself in a cameo scene from the Judge Judy show in the 1998 American made-for-television crime drama film CHiPs '99.

[67] On February 21, 2000, a 60-minute documentary film about Sheindlin's life and career titled Judge Judy: Sitting in Judgment aired as part of the Biography series.

In a September 17, 2013 interview with Katie Couric for the 92nd Street Y, Sheindlin elaborated on previously undisclosed facts of her life story and career in the family court.

[83][84][85] Hot Bench, which debuted on September 15, 2014, featured a panel of three judges debating and deciding on courtroom cases.

Sheindlin stated, "When my husband Jerry and I were in Ireland recently, we visited the courts and watched a three-judge bench, which I found both fascinating and compelling.

I immediately thought what a terrific and unique idea for a television program that brings the court genre to the next level.

[86][87] On August 31, 2016, it was reported that CBS had planned a scripted, semi-autobiographical drama series based on the life of Sheindlin titled Her Honor.

The show was described as following the youngest judge in New York who, while proficient at handling family court cases, has a personal life that needs work.

The show tested contestants' observational skills, requiring them to view video clips and recall what they have witnessed faster than do their competitors.

[92] In September 2017, the National Enquirer issued a formal apology for having published false statements defaming Sheindlin as having cheated on her husband and having suffered from Alzheimer's disease and brain damage.

[93] Sheindlin and her program appeared on a November 26, 2017, episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, presiding over a sketch-comedy court case with Larry David as the plaintiff.

[105] In 2018, Sheindlin and her husband announced spending $9 million on the Bird House, a 9,700-square-foot (900 m2) property on 3.67 acres (1.49 ha) in Newport, Rhode Island, once owned by Dorrance Hill Hamilton.

[118] On March 12, 2014, Sheindlin filed a lawsuit against Hartford, Connecticut, personal injury lawyer John Haymond and his law firm.

Haymond insisted that local affiliates asked him to appear in Judge Judy promos to promote Sheindlin for which he obliged.