You've seen the opening credits a thousand times. The Statue of Liberty looms over the water, the New York City skyline sparkles, and a deep-voiced narrator reminds us that "the cases are real, the people are real, the rulings are final." It feels like the heart of Manhattan. You expect to step outside the courtroom and find yourself on a busy street corner in Brooklyn or across from the Supreme Court in Lower Manhattan.
But honestly? It’s all a clever bit of TV magic.
If you've ever wondered where is judge judy show filmed, the answer might be a little jarring for fans who associate her sharp tongue with the streets of the Big Apple. Despite the New York flags and the "Brooklyn-born" attitude, the show wasn't filmed anywhere near the East Coast.
The Real Home of the Original Judge Judy
For twenty-five years, Judith Sheindlin didn't go to work in a courthouse. She went to a studio backlot. Specifically, the original Judge Judy series was filmed at Sunset Bronson Studios (formerly known as Tribune Studios) located at 5800 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
It’s kind of ironic when you think about it. The woman who became the face of no-nonsense New York justice was actually working just down the street from the Walk of Fame. The set was built inside a soundstage—specifically Stage 4—designed to look exactly like a real Manhattan Family Court. They did such a good job that even lawyers sometimes forget it's a set.
Sunset Bronson is a legendary spot. This is the same studio where The Jazz Singer, the first "talkie" movie, was filmed back in 1927. So, in a way, Judy was making history in a place that’s been making it for a century.
📖 Related: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
Why does it look like New York?
Basically, the production went to great lengths to sell the New York vibe. They used exterior B-roll of New York City courthouses and the Manhattan Bridge to sandwich between segments. They kept a New York state flag behind the bench. Even the litigants were often flown in from the East Coast, though plenty came from all over the country.
The primary reason for the California location was logistics. Most television infrastructure—the crews, the lighting experts, the editors—is centered in Los Angeles. It was simply more efficient for the production company to build a world-class courtroom set in Hollywood than to try and navigate the red tape of filming in a live, working New York courthouse.
The Commute: How Judy Handled the Distance
You might think Judy moved to LA to be near the studio. Nope. She stayed a New Yorker at heart (and on paper).
Her filming schedule was legendary for its efficiency. She didn’t work a 9-to-5. Instead, she’d fly her private jet from the East Coast to Los Angeles about twice a month. She’d spend three days—usually Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—marathon-filming enough cases to fill weeks of television.
She’d hear ten or twelve cases a day. Boom. Done. Then she’d fly back home to her family. It’s a pretty sweet gig if you can get it, and it explains why she always seemed so sharp; she wasn't bogged down by the daily grind.
👉 See also: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
Where is "Judy Justice" filmed today?
If you’re watching her newer show, Judy Justice (which is still going strong in 2026), the location has shifted slightly, but she’s still a California girl during business hours.
Judy Justice moved production to The Culver Studios in Culver City, California. This is another historic lot (it’s where Gone with the Wind was filmed). The set is much flashier now—lots of wood paneling and a modern, high-def look—but it’s still very much a soundstage in Southern California.
- Original Show (1996-2021): Sunset Bronson Studios, Hollywood.
- Current Show (2021-Present): The Culver Studios, Culver City.
What about the "live" audience?
Here is a detail that kinda ruins the illusion: that audience isn't just "people off the street." They are paid background actors. In the original show, they were mostly aspiring actors or retirees looking for a few extra bucks. They were paid roughly $15 to $20 an hour to sit there and look shocked when Judy yelled at someone.
There are actually strict rules for them. They aren't allowed to wear bright white or logos that might distract the camera. They have to move their heads like they’re following the conversation, even if they’ve heard the same case three times due to re-takes.
Does it matter that it's fake?
Technically, the "courtroom" is a set, and the "judge" is acting as an arbitrator. In the eyes of the law, the show is a binding arbitration. The litigants sign a contract agreeing to let Judy Sheindlin decide their fate.
✨ Don't miss: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
The most interesting part? The "losing" side doesn't usually pay the judgment out of their own pocket. The production company pays the award. That’s why you see people looking so smug even after they lose; they got a free trip to LA and their debt was paid by a TV network.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning a trip to see where the magic happens, keep these things in mind:
- Don't go to New York: If you want to see the studio where she filmed for 25 years, head to 5800 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. You can't usually go inside Stage 4, but the iconic "Warner Bros" executive building is visible from the street.
- Check for Tickets: While Judge Judy is in reruns, Judy Justice often films in Culver City. You can check sites like 1iota or TVTix to see if they are casting for the audience. Just remember, you’re there to work, not just watch!
- The "Courthouse" Exterior: If you want to see the building used in the old opening credits, that's the New York County Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street in Manhattan. Just don't expect to see Judy inside.
The location might be a Hollywood secret, but the impact of the show is real. Whether she’s in a historic Hollywood lot or a modern studio in Culver City, the "Queen of the Courtroom" remains exactly where she belongs: in charge.
The production has perfected the art of creating a New York atmosphere in the middle of a California palm-tree landscape, proving that in television, where you are matters a lot less than who is sitting behind the bench.