Does ‘Judge Steve Harvey’ Offer Real Court Cases?
Family Feud isn’t the only show that Steve Harvey stars in. He is also in a surprising show called Judge Steve Harvey, which is similar to shows like Judge Judy. On this show, Harvey is a judge who presides over a case where someone is suing someone or there is a disagreement on what one person might owe another.
However, does Steve Harvey’s final decision stand in the court of law since he isn’t a real judge? Here is what you need to know.
Judge Steve Harvey Is A Legitimate Court Show
Judge Steve Harvey is a legitimate court show. However, Harvey is not a real judge. The way the show works is that Harvey acts as a neutral arbitrator. In those cases, it is not a judge but an arbitrator who helps two people come to an agreement on a settlement.
ABC has not revealed if Harvey’s decisions are legally binding. However, the show chooses its participants by scouting them or through submitted applications. When chosen, the two parties appear before Harvey and present their evidence and witnesses. In the end, Harvey makes his ruling on the monetary awards.
This is where the twist comes in. The production pays the settlements. Each party (plaintiff and defendant) receive $1,000 just for appearing on Judge Steve Harvey. When Harvey makes his decision, the production will pay the settlement of up to $10,000 for whoever he finds in favor of.
This makes it worthwhile because the loser does not have to pay out of pocket if they lose the case.
Did Steve Harvey Study Law In School?
While Steve Harvey is an arbitrator, he is not a judge or lawyer and didn’t even study law at school. He graduated from a high school in Cleveland in 1974 and then went on to attend Kent State University. He majored in advertising, but he never graduated.
To become a judge, a person has to earn a bachelor’s degree (which Harvey does not have). They then must pass the LSAT and attend law school to earn a JD (Juris Doctor). They must pass the bar exam and earn time as a court attorney before applying to become a judge.
Most court shows on television are not real courtrooms or court cases. Instead, they are arbitrations between two parties, a way to resolve disputes without needing to go through the actual court process. When people sign up to appear on the show, they sign a written agreement to abide by the judge’s ruling.
“Most judges are interested in the law: These are the facts, and that’s it,” Harvey said (via TV Insider). “I’m going to dig up the story behind why people came to court vs. what they’re in court for. I lean on decades of experience dealing with all types of situations and people, and I rely on my street savvy, common sense and humor to get it done.”
Have you watched Judge Steve Harvey? What are your thoughts on the show? Are you surprised the production pays all settlement costs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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