
Many popular court shows are on TV. How can the genre improve? How about using a three-judge panel? That's the concept of "Hot Bench," created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. After hearing each case, the judges discuss it among themselves before rendering a verdict. The show's title comes from a term describing a court action in which a judge frequently interrupts lawyers with questions.

A woman in need of a fresh start moved into her sponsor's house, but when her son misbehaved, the sponsor's husband reprimanded him, and the arrangement quickly fell apart; the defendants are accused of withholding access to her remaining belongings.

She wanted a lush lawn, he said "no problem" -- despite not being in landscaping anymore; dead grass, broken promises and a sprinkler blame game turn a backyard makeover into a courtroom turf war.

Despite a handyman's attempts to repair and replace a defective A/C unit, the homeowner refuses the replacement and demands a refund, leaving both parties in a heated dispute.

Many popular court shows are on TV. How can the genre improve? How about using a three-judge panel? That's the concept of "Hot Bench," created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. After hearing each case, the judges discuss it among themselves before rendering a verdict. The show's title comes from a term describing a court action in which a judge frequently interrupts lawyers with questions.