Hot Bench
- Episodes
- 228
- Released
- daily
- Latest episode
- Nov 13, 2026
About the podcast
Hot Bench, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin, is the only three-judge panel in broadcast syndication. Judges Dan Mentzer, Rachel Juarez, and Yodit Tewolde bring decades of legal experience to real small claims cases from across the country. Beyond delivering legal rulings, they offer insight, guidance, and new perspectives to litigants and viewers alike. The show aims to both educate and entertain by resolving real-life legal disputes. New episodes of Hot Bench are available every weekday.
Episodes 228
Suburban Legends
A used SUV sends a seven-year friendship into reverse! She claims he misrepresented the vehicle and kept dodging a refund, while he argues she bought it as-is and skipped the test drive. Only the judges can …
Show notes
A used SUV sends a seven-year friendship into reverse! She claims he misrepresented the vehicle and kept dodging a refund, while he argues she bought it as-is and skipped the test drive. Only the judges can determine if this SUV was a lemon, or was this friendship simply souring with age?
Truth, Lies and Mobile Buys
A mobile home sale turns into a neighborhood-sized headache! One buyer claims he’s still owed money after a deal fell apart, while the seller argues a new buyer repaid him and settled everything. The road to …
Show notes
A mobile home sale turns into a neighborhood-sized headache! One buyer claims he’s still owed money after a deal fell apart, while the seller argues a new buyer repaid him and settled everything. The road to ownership may have ended, but the judges are just getting started!
Keep the same Energy!
A 20-year friendship gets unplugged over an electric bill! One woman claims she let her friend use her utility account and got stuck paying the balance, while the other argues she was making payments and …
Show notes
A 20-year friendship gets unplugged over an electric bill! One woman claims she let her friend use her utility account and got stuck paying the balance, while the other argues she was making payments and unfairly left in the dark. This friendship’s power may be permanently shut off!
Mural of the Story
A food truck makeover turns into a rolling dispute! The artist claims he completed most of the custom mural before being threatened and driven off the job, while the truck owner argues the mural was barely …
Show notes
A food truck makeover turns into a rolling dispute! The artist claims he completed most of the custom mural before being threatened and driven off the job, while the truck owner argues the mural was barely started and needed a complete redo! Watch this food truck case with an extra side of accusations!
Fat Chance at Repayment
A funeral trip turns into a bitter battle over grief and money! One woman claims she paid for flights and loans out of kindness, while the other argues the financial help came with changing terms and unexpected …
Show notes
A funeral trip turns into a bitter battle over grief and money! One woman claims she paid for flights and loans out of kindness, while the other argues the financial help came with changing terms and unexpected strings attached. When family and money collide, emotions run high.
The Impatient Driver
A simple drive turns into a traffic jam of accusations! One woman claims an SUV swerved into her lane, while the other driver argues she was speeding and exaggerating the damage. This crash leaves both sides …
Show notes
A simple drive turns into a traffic jam of accusations! One woman claims an SUV swerved into her lane, while the other driver argues she was speeding and exaggerating the damage. This crash leaves both sides fighting for the right of way!
Un-Split Rent
A roommate arrangement turns into a rental resentment! One woman claims she covered her friend’s unpaid rent with help from her father, while the friend argues everyone knew her seasonal income meant she …
Show notes
A roommate arrangement turns into a rental resentment! One woman claims she covered her friend’s unpaid rent with help from her father, while the friend argues everyone knew her seasonal income meant she couldn’t always pay. Talk about a lease on lingering drama!
Rubbed the Wrong Way
A sports massage turns into a reputation wrecking showdown! A massage therapist claims his client’s review twisted an innocent question into something inappropriate, while the client alleges his behavior …
Show notes
A sports massage turns into a reputation wrecking showdown! A massage therapist claims his client’s review twisted an innocent question into something inappropriate, while the client alleges his behavior crossed a line and made her uncomfortable. This is one dispute that’s packed with tension!
One Bad Move
A social media friendship turns into a real-life disaster! One woman claims she moved in to help care for her friend’s family during a medical crisis only to be hit with a restraining order and forced out …
Show notes
A social media friendship turns into a real-life disaster! One woman claims she moved in to help care for her friend’s family during a medical crisis only to be hit with a restraining order and forced out, while another woman claims her house and family suffered because of it. This former friendship completely unravels! Who’s telling the truth and who’s rewriting history? How did this act of kindness go so wrong?
Raggedy Van
A minivan purchase goes from family vehicle to financial headache! The buyer claims she was sold a van with a dying transmission, while the seller argues it ran fine and that’s the risk of buying used! Tune in …
Show notes
A minivan purchase goes from family vehicle to financial headache! The buyer claims she was sold a van with a dying transmission, while the seller argues it ran fine and that’s the risk of buying used! Tune in as trust and transmission trouble are on trial.
Keyed Off
A spare room is at the center of a housing headache! She claims there was a promise of a year-long living arrangement and abruptly kicked out, while he argues she was only ever a temporary guest who couldn’t …
Show notes
A spare room is at the center of a housing headache! She claims there was a promise of a year-long living arrangement and abruptly kicked out, while he argues she was only ever a temporary guest who couldn’t follow the rules. Watch as both sides argue over a living situation that came with more drama than square footage!
Wig Out
A wig purchase leaves one customer pulling her hair out! The customer claims the wig didn’t fit and wasn’t what she wanted, while the shop owner claims the purchase was approved and non-refundable! This dispute …
Show notes
A wig purchase leaves one customer pulling her hair out! The customer claims the wig didn’t fit and wasn’t what she wanted, while the shop owner claims the purchase was approved and non-refundable! This dispute is anything but a good look!
Title Waves
An SUV sale between exes quickly runs off the road! A woman claims she returned the vehicle after discovering problems and never got her refund. Her ex argues she still owes money and claims she still has the …
Show notes
An SUV sale between exes quickly runs off the road! A woman claims she returned the vehicle after discovering problems and never got her refund. Her ex argues she still owes money and claims she still has the SUV! This breakup comes with plenty of automotive baggage.
First Birthday... Last Straw!
A milestone birthday ends with disappointment and demands for a refund. A mother claims the decorations and party favors failed to meet expectations, while the decorator argues she went above and beyond despite …
Show notes
A milestone birthday ends with disappointment and demands for a refund. A mother claims the decorations and party favors failed to meet expectations, while the decorator argues she went above and beyond despite difficult circumstances. This celebration is ringing in the drama!
Three-Wheel Overdrive
A bargain truck purchase turns into a roadside nightmare! A buyer claims the vehicle was falling apart, while the alleged seller argues he merely brokered the deal and isn’t responsible. One truck, two stories …
Show notes
A bargain truck purchase turns into a roadside nightmare! A buyer claims the vehicle was falling apart, while the alleged seller argues he merely brokered the deal and isn’t responsible. One truck, two stories and no brakes on the drama!
Mister Big Bucks
A former family friendship breaks down over money and broken trust. One claims he repeatedly helped with car expenses and was never repaid, while the other argues repayment was never part of the deal. Now the …
Show notes
A former family friendship breaks down over money and broken trust. One claims he repeatedly helped with car expenses and was never repaid, while the other argues repayment was never part of the deal. Now the judges must determine whether repayment was promised or presumed.
Bed and Wreck-fest
What started as a short-term rental turns into a long-term headache! The landlord claims his tenant allowed unauthorized guests who left the property in disarray, while the tenant claims the guests took over …
Show notes
What started as a short-term rental turns into a long-term headache! The landlord claims his tenant allowed unauthorized guests who left the property in disarray, while the tenant claims the guests took over the arrangement, which he knew! Looks like this rental dispute, is checking into court.
Barking Up the Wrong Tree
An off-leash encounter sends neighbors straight into court! One claims his dog was seriously injured, and he was stuck with thousands of vet bills. The other claims it was simply a brief scuffle. With disputes …
Show notes
An off-leash encounter sends neighbors straight into court! One claims his dog was seriously injured, and he was stuck with thousands of vet bills. The other claims it was simply a brief scuffle. With disputes like this, somebody’s story isn’t passing the sniff test!
The Last Supper
A simple favor leads to a painful falling out. A couple claims their former church friend crashed their truck and won’t pay for the damage, while she argues a faulty tire is responsible for the accident. Watch …
Show notes
A simple favor leads to a painful falling out. A couple claims their former church friend crashed their truck and won’t pay for the damage, while she argues a faulty tire is responsible for the accident. Watch as the judges navigate a collision of faith, favors and hard feelings.
Nailed It Or Failed It?
A home repair turns into a bitter battle over workmanship and money. A contractor claims he’s still waiting to be paid, while the homeowner argues she’s still waiting for quality work! Watch as the judges …
Show notes
A home repair turns into a bitter battle over workmanship and money. A contractor claims he’s still waiting to be paid, while the homeowner argues she’s still waiting for quality work! Watch as the judges determine whether this project was a job well done or a costly mistake.
New Year, New Wreck
A trip through an intersection turns into a collision of accusations! One driver claims a truck ran a red light and left her with a damaged minivan, while the other alleges she drove straight through a red …
Show notes
A trip through an intersection turns into a collision of accusations! One driver claims a truck ran a red light and left her with a damaged minivan, while the other alleges she drove straight through a red light and into his truck! Watch as the judges uncover which story has the right of way.
No Family Discount
A bargain rental quickly becomes a costly disagreement! An aunt and uncle claim their niece and nephew left owing rent and cleanup costs, but they claim the house was a mess and wasn’t worth the rent increase …
Show notes
A bargain rental quickly becomes a costly disagreement! An aunt and uncle claim their niece and nephew left owing rent and cleanup costs, but they claim the house was a mess and wasn’t worth the rent increase. This housing battle is anything but home sweet home!
Artificial Internship
This AI project may have generated more drama than results! One woman claims she was hired and then reclassified as an unpaid intern, while the business owner argues a contract was never signed and she barely …
Show notes
This AI project may have generated more drama than results! One woman claims she was hired and then reclassified as an unpaid intern, while the business owner argues a contract was never signed and she barely worked! It’s up to the judges to decide whose story needs a software update!
Defamation Dispute
A decades-old relationship is back with vengeance! He claims his childhood ex’s social media rant hurt his reputation, while she argues he’s been telling stories about her too! These two former sweethearts are …
Show notes
A decades-old relationship is back with vengeance! He claims his childhood ex’s social media rant hurt his reputation, while she argues he’s been telling stories about her too! These two former sweethearts are anything but friends online!
Battering Scam
This used-car deal may have stalled before it even started! The buyer claims he was sold a vehicle in poor condition, while the seller argues he is being blamed for someone else’s scam! Talk about a deal with …
Show notes
This used-car deal may have stalled before it even started! The buyer claims he was sold a vehicle in poor condition, while the seller argues he is being blamed for someone else’s scam! Talk about a deal with no warranty on the drama.
Car Ex-Change
A failed relationship drives a bitter dispute over a car. She claims he promised to make payments and maintain the vehicle, while he argues she never followed through on transferring ownership. Looks like this …
Show notes
A failed relationship drives a bitter dispute over a car. She claims he promised to make payments and maintain the vehicle, while he argues she never followed through on transferring ownership. Looks like this relationship came with a very expensive return policy!
You Better Call Tyrone
A casino-themed birthday bash leaves one man feeling like he lost a bet! He claims he deserves his deposit back after canceling early, except the planner argues the money was already committed to vendors. It’s …
Show notes
A casino-themed birthday bash leaves one man feeling like he lost a bet! He claims he deserves his deposit back after canceling early, except the planner argues the money was already committed to vendors. It’s up to the judges to decide whether this refund request is a winning hand!
Case Of The Petty Ex
A breakup leaves one ex seeing red... on her credit card statement! She claims she covered a car repair bill and got stuck with the payments, while he argues she offered to help before abruptly ending the …
Show notes
A breakup leaves one ex seeing red... on her credit card statement! She claims she covered a car repair bill and got stuck with the payments, while he argues she offered to help before abruptly ending the relationship! Watch as the judges sort through a debt loaded with emotional interest.
The Feline Is Mine
A family catfight turns into a purr-fect storm of drama! One side claims a teenager left his treasured pet with Grandma during a vacation, while Grandma claims she’s grown attached and doesn’t want to give it …
Show notes
A family catfight turns into a purr-fect storm of drama! One side claims a teenager left his treasured pet with Grandma during a vacation, while Grandma claims she’s grown attached and doesn’t want to give it back! Will a grandmother’s wishes outweigh a teenager’s broken heart?
Machine Misdeal
Two former friends dig themselves into a dispute over a deal gone wrong! One claims he’s still owed money for a “skid steer,” while the other argues he got stuck with a machine that belongs in the scrapyard …
Show notes
Two former friends dig themselves into a dispute over a deal gone wrong! One claims he’s still owed money for a “skid steer,” while the other argues he got stuck with a machine that belongs in the scrapyard. Watch as the judges see if the truth can gain some traction.
These are the latest 40 of 228 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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