Judge Judy, 83, Steps Back from On-Camera TV and Reveals the One Person She Trusts to Take Her Place

Daytime television will never be the same as daytime royalty Judge Judy Sheindlin, 83, prepares to hang up her robe for a surprising next chapter.

The end of "Judy Justice" in October will mark a turning point in Sheindlin's extraordinary television run. This time, however, the famously decisive judge knows exactly when to make her move.

She has also settled another difficult question: what happens when someone so closely identified with a television institution decides to step back. Her answer comes with a remarkable vote of confidence.

The End of an On-Camera Era

For three decades, Sheindlin's sharp questions, quick judgments, and unmistakable courtroom manner have been central to her television success.

But when "Judy Justice" finishes its Prime Video run in October, Sheindlin will move away from on-camera work — and her explanation for doing so is surprisingly straightforward.

Why Judge Judy Is Leaving the Camera

According to People, Sheindlin's priorities now include afternoon naps, family time, and developing "Judyverse," an adult animated series inspired by viral AI "Baby Judge Judy" videos.

Her explanation for leaving on-camera work was much simpler. "I have a lot of other things of interest," she said. "I don't want to do hair and makeup anymore, but I still want my message to get out there."

Sheindlin will therefore remain active behind the scenes as an executive producer. She is also producing a new syndicated courtroom show that premieres September 14, almost exactly 30 years after "Judge Judy" debuted.

The judge taking the bench is her 58-year-old son, Adam Levy. "There aren't a lot of people who can carry a half hour on their own unscripted," Sheindlin said. "He has what it takes."

Her Son Had to Become Ready

Sheindlin's endorsement comes after Levy built his own legal career. He is one of two children she had with former husband Ronald Levy before marrying Jerry Sheindlin, a father of three, in 1977.

Growing up in their blended New York City family, Levy learned early that his mother expected independence. He recalled being told, "'If you want baseball cards, don't ask me for money.'"

By fourth grade, he was charging neighbors 50 cents a load to do their laundry. Levy later followed his mother into law, although his first plan after graduating from Hofstra Law School tested her patience.

He turned down a job offer and intended to spend a year becoming a ski instructor. When the Suffolk County, New York, district attorney's office later called the family home and offered Levy a position, Sheindlin answered.

"She said, 'Hi, this is Adam Levy's mom. And yes, he's going to take that job,'" Levy recalled. He subsequently worked in private practice and served two terms as Putnam County district attorney. His political career also led to a four-year defamation battle.

A Four-Year Battle Put Levy in the Spotlight

In 2013, Putnam County Sheriff Don Smith issued press releases accusing Levy of interfering with an investigation involving Levy's friend and personal trainer, Alexandru Hossu. Hossu was eventually cleared of all charges.

In 2017, as Levy's defamation trial against Smith was beginning, Smith admitted the alleged interference had not occurred, according to CBS News. The case ended in a $150,000 settlement. Smith was required to post an apology and retraction on the sheriff's department's website.

Levy, who had left politics and moved to Wyoming, described the lawsuit as his response to political bullying. Sheindlin publicly backed him after the settlement, saying her son had won a battle for his integrity, honesty, reputation, honor, and "the truth."

That legal career eventually led Levy to television. He joined the Prime Video court series "Tribunal Justice" in 2023 and spent three seasons on its panel of judges. Sheindlin said the experience helped prepare him for a solo program. "Maybe eight years ago he wasn't ready. He's ready now," she said.

Why She Chose Him

In the "Adam's Law" trailer, Sheindlin revealed that Levy's readiness was only part of the equation. She was not ready to surrender the spotlight earlier, either.

"I wouldn't have encouraged him to take on this role and responsibility ten years ago or even five years ago because I wasn't ready to give it up. And quite frankly, I think he has the talent to beat me and [laughter] I don't like the idea of that."

"I'm right here, you know," Levy responded as his mother laughed. Sheindlin praised his understanding of the law, his memory, and his ability to study legal issues in depth. She also credited him with having "great TV eyes."

Levy quickly answered, "They're your eyes," to which Sheindlin replied, "What? Well, they're my eyes." More importantly, she believes he has the personality required to connect with the audience that has followed her for three decades.

More seriously, she believes Levy has the personality to connect with viewers who have watched her for decades. "I am handing this baton over to the right person," she said.

Levy, meanwhile, has a straightforward warning for people appearing on "Adam's Law": Tell the truth. "When people make statements that are demonstrably false, that really bothers me," he said.

He explained that a litigant who is being lied about may not always know how to challenge the other person. "I do," Levy said. Having Judge Judy as his mother inevitably raises another question about Levy's new role: How much of the opportunity comes from his famous last name?

Not Everyone Is Convinced

In a Reddit discussion about "Adam's Law", one commenter admitted that watching Levy on "Tribunal Justice" changed an initially skeptical opinion.

"I was skeptical. Observing him on Tribunal Justice showed me he has a keen eye for the truth and a strong desire for justice. He is great. I thought, at first, no way this will succeed. Now I see he is a proper heir to Judge Judy," one fan shared.

Another viewer praised Levy for doing research before cases: "I like how he does some extra research on someone before the case. He goes the extra mile." One person had a very different first impression: "Omg today i learnt Judge Judy has a son and he looks just as scary as her."

Others questioned whether Levy's television manner feels natural. "He just doesn't seem genuine. When he is trying to empathize with someone, it just comes across so fake," one person wrote. Another offered a much shorter criticism: "Nepo old baby."

Others saw Sheindlin's influence as a positive. "I do like him, he's feisty like his mama 😊," one commenter wrote. Another had a more mixed assessment: "I think he tries too hard to be edgy / like his mother. When he's not overreacting I actually like him. Not sure how his own show will be."

One commenter argued that there is room for another Sheindlin courtroom show even if Levy cannot duplicate his mother's appeal.

"I think he'll be great. He has a sense of humour and can dish it out 'almost' as well as his mom," the comment read. "As good as Judge Judy? No, but that woman needs to put her feet up and let someone else do the work now. As loyal as I am to her there's only so many reruns I can watch. Time for new content."

A separate Reddit discussion produced a similarly mixed verdict. "I kind of like Adam. Yes, he tries very hard to follow in his mother's shoes, but he is not as bad as her. At least he is willing to hear people out and give them a chance to tell their side. Yes, he's very tough, but he's fair," one commenter observed.

Another questioned whether Levy would have received the same television opportunity without his famous mother: "I'm gonna say it….. I don't like him. He's too full of himself for a nepobaby. If his mother wasn't JJ, who would give him a show?"

"He always seems like he is trying too hard to be JJ. It never comes off as his own voice," another person wrote. One commenter was more severe: "I can't stand him! He scolds people like they're children. He's rude."

That prompted a defense from another user: "I've never seen him scold someone like a child who wasn't actively or previously behaving like a child." Another commenter summed up the wait-and-see response: "I'm not a fan of Judge Adam but I'll give his show a try."

The family succession even drew a political joke. Responding to news about Levy, an X user wrote, "No thanks, we fought monarchies 250 years ago."

Adam Addresses the Nepo Baby Label

Levy has addressed that issue directly. In an interview with the New York Post, he argued that his family connection does not erase the experience he accumulated before getting his own show. "Despite the fact that I have a famous mother, I got the chops as well," he said.

Those credentials include graduating from Hofstra Law School, working as a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor, serving as Putnam County district attorney, and spending three seasons as a judge on "Tribunal Justice."

Levy also said "Adam's Law" is not meant to be a copy of his mother's famous courtroom show. He acknowledged that following Sheindlin brings considerable expectations, but said he intends to establish his own identity on the bench.

"I'm here to fill my own shoes and to put my own stamp on it," Levy said. "I'm confident in my own style." One difference is the amount of preparation he says he puts into cases.

Levy described himself as "hyper-focused" on the cases he receives in advance, reviewing material that can include contracts, photographs, emails, texts, background information, and the parties' pleadings.

That preparation can take hours or even days. "We get to the truth. That's what's important," he said. His mother's involvement does not mean they always reach the same conclusions, either. "We don't agree on all the cases," Levy said.

He explained that he sometimes discusses a case with Sheindlin, hears her thoughts, and pushes back when he disagrees. Sheindlin, meanwhile, was the one who decided the moment had arrived for her son to lead a daytime courtroom show.

"She told me, 'Now's the time,'" Levy recalled. He had been considering an extended break after the third season of "Tribunal Justice," even planning more time for skiing. Instead, his mother's call changed those plans.

"I tried to get out, but she pulled me back in," he joked. Levy's connection to the law, however, predates his mother's television fame. He said he knew in fourth grade that he wanted to become a lawyer and prosecutor after watching Sheindlin work as a prosecutor and supervising judge in New York City Family Court.

He even dressed as a lawyer for Halloween as a child — something he said resulted in other children bullying him. "But it was good. It gave me tough skin," Levy said.

Growing up in New York City during the 1970s and '80s also shaped skills he says he later brought into the courtroom. Levy said he learned early how to assess people's behavior and recognize when someone might not be telling the truth.

"I learned very early in life how to go about cross-examining someone who was not telling the truth [to] get to the truth," he said. That experience, along with his legal career, is Levy's answer to the suggestion that his mother's name alone qualifies him for the job.

Whether viewers agree is another matter. And some have already made their opinions about Judge Judy's successor very clear.

Viewers See the Family Resemblance

Sheindlin may have given her son an emphatic vote of confidence, but viewers have been forming their own opinions. The trailer prompted plenty of comments about how strongly Levy resembles his mother — not only physically, but in the way he speaks and handles people.

One viewer wrote, "I'm not ready for Judge Judy to hand anything over. May she live forever!!" Another was immediately struck by the similarities: "Oh my gosh this guy totally embodies his mom 😂 I love it!!" A third was willing to give Levy a chance but made one thing clear: "I'll give him a shot, but no one will ever replace his mom."

"Looking just like his mama lol. Can't wait!" another commenter wrote. One viewer went into much greater detail about the resemblance: "He takes after his mom in so many ways. The facial expressions, his manner of speech, the way he eviscerates liars. I have a feeling this is going to have a very long and prosperous run. [...] Judy, you raised him well!"

"Looks and sounds just like his mama!" another wrote, while someone else commented, "He looks just like his mother." Another viewer was enthusiastic about both mother and son: "How exciting! I cannot wait! No other judge compares to JJ and her son is equally as impressive!! ❤"

One comment captured the mix of affection for Sheindlin and curiosity about what Levy might do next: "Awwww I love Judge Judy🥹 but I'm excited to see her son do his thing 🥰 like mother like son I can tell just from the trailer." Another simply wrote, "Like mother like son 😂😂 I love it!!"

Whatever viewers ultimately decide about "Adam's Law," Sheindlin herself is not hedging. She believes her son has the legal knowledge, memory, personality, and television presence to carry the format.

Her confidence extends all the way to predicting that he could become a major daytime success. "Adams [music] Law is going to be the number one program in daytime. I know it," Sheindlin said in the trailer.

Judge Judy Is Still in Charge Behind the Scenes

Despite stepping away from regular on-camera work, Sheindlin remains closely involved in the next phase. She is producing "Adam's Law," while Levy continues traveling from his Wyoming home to Stamford, Connecticut, to tape the show.

He and his wife, Lori Leichtman, have three children. Their daughter Sarah Rose is also part of the family television operation as a law clerk on "Judy Justice."

Levy sees his mother frequently when he travels east, and family dinners still reflect the household's long-standing rules for making an argument. "Everyone has their chance to speak," he said, "but you better be able to back up your position."

For Sheindlin, having more time for those gatherings is part of what comes next. "I don't think that I've ever been this content before," she said. She will also be celebrated in the CBS special "Judge Judy: Unfiltered, Unforgettable" on September 22.

After decades in front of the camera, she believes her own television legacy no longer needs proving. "I don't have to prove anything else. I did it." And she is equally confident about the person succeeding her.