Is Star Jones a real judge?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Star Jones is not actually a judge – she‘s a lawyer, former prosecutor in New York, and long-time television personality who has recently begun hosting the court show Divorce Court. She brings significant legal experience to her role, but does not hold an official judicial position currently.

Jones‘ Impressive Legal Resume

While not a judge, Jones has an remarkable background in law:

  • Earned Juris Doctor from University of Houston in 1986[1]
  • Worked as a homicide prosecutor for the state of New York from 1986-1991, trying over 100 cases[2]
  • First Black person to host a court show with Jones & Jury (1994-1995)[3]
  • Legal correspondent and commentator for networks like ABC, MSNBC and more
  • Named new host of Divorce Court in September 2022

This career history demonstrates Jones‘ qualifications to apply the law on television.

What Does a "TV Judge" Like Star Actually Do?

So what is the role of a "television judge" and how does it differ from an actual judge holding elected office?

  • Presides over a reality court show, handling real civil cases
  • Makes legally binding decisions on cases, acting as an arbitrator
  • Films the show on a set, not in an actual courtroom
  • Much more entertaining, confrontational and opinionated

So while TV judges have legal training, the "cases" technically take place outside of the court system in arbitration proceedings. Still, the plaintiffs and disputes are real.

How Does Star Compare to Other Famous TV Judges?

How does Star stack up against other famous television judges like Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin) or Judge Joe Brown in terms of viewership and years on the air?

JudgeYears on TVPeak Viewers (Millions)
Judge Judy25 years26 million
Judge Joe Brown15 years11 million
Star Jones1 year (Jones & Jury)N/A

As this viewership data shows, Star Jones has a long way to go before reaching the massive audiences of Judy Sheindlin or Joe Brown. However, as the new host of Divorce Court in 2022, she has plenty of opportunity to grow her judge profile.

Her Husband is Actually an Administrative Law Judge

Interestingly, while Star Jones only plays a judge on TV, her husband Ricardo Lugo actually serves as an administrative law judge in Wisconsin. According to entertainment trade magazine The Sun, Lugo "works as an administrative law judge and attorney whose primary role is to determine if a municipal code violation occurred."[4] So he holds legitimate judicial authority to render verdicts, unlike his more famous TV judge wife.

Gaming Cases Coming to Divorce Court‘s Docket?

As an avid gamer myself, I‘d love to see some gaming-related cases come before Star Jones and Divorce Court! Common disputes involve:

  • Excessive time/money spent on games
  • Virtual theft of valuable gaming items
  • Cheating allegations in online multiplayer
  • Child custody and video game screen time

Family law attorney Janis Prulhiere told gaming site Kotaku: "We see so many divorces that have gaming and esports issues in them."[5] She speculated that many marriages fail due to problems related to excessive gaming. So Star may have her hands full settling gaming accounts and asset splits!


Could gamer relationship disputes wind up in front of Star Jones?

The Bottom Line

While Star Jones is certainly not serving as an elected judge, her impressive legal resume and career history make her well-qualified to take the bench on reality courtroom television. Gamers like myself will be fascinated to see if any esports and gaming cases come before Judge Jones – and whether she has what it takes to settle these complex relationship disputes!

[1] University of Houston Law Center, Alumni Profile

[2] Biography.com, Star Jones Biography

[3]"The Judge" Wikipedia Page

[4]The Sun, "Star Jones‘ husband REVEALED"

[5]Kotaku, "Gaming Ruins Marriages"

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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