''Judge Maria Lopez'' is an American arbitration-based reality court show, presided over by Maria Lopez. On the show, guests themselves presented and argued

small claims Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and go by different names in different jurisdictions. For example, it ma ...

civil action A lawsuit is a proceeding by one or more parties (the plaintiff or claimant) against one or more parties (the defendant) in a civil court of law. The archaic term "suit in law" is found in only a small number of laws still in effect today. T ...

s before the judge. The half-hour series, produced and distributed by

Sony Pictures Television Sony Pictures Television Inc. (abbreviated as SPT) is an American television production company, production and broadcast syndication, distribution studio. Based at the Sony Pictures Studios complex in Culver City, California, it is a division o ...

, debuted in the United States and Canada on September 11, 2006. It was Sony Pictures' second court show. The show was taped at the Metropolis Studios in New York City. Prior to joining the series, Lopez was a judge in the

Massachusetts Superior Court The Massachusetts Superior Court (also known as the Superior Court Department of the Trial Court) is a trial court department in Massachusetts. The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $50,000, and in matters where equ ...

International viewing

''Judge Maria Lopez'' debuted in the same week as another syndicated courtroom show featuring a Latina judge, '' Cristina's Court''. In January 2007, SPT renewed the series for a second season despite being the lowest rated court show of the 2006–07 season, averaging a 0.9 rating. However, in February 2008 reports indicated that due to two seasons of low ratings,

was cancelling the series and the show ended on May 23, 2008, along with Judge Hatchett.

References

First-run syndicated television programs in the United States Television series by Sony Pictures Television 2006 American television series debuts 2008 American television series endings 2000s American legal television series Court shows {{US-reality-tv-stub

International viewing

See also

References