Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
In American works, this archetype is generally either a [[BlackBossLady no-nonsense black woman]] or a gruff white man. When there's a tribunal or another situation with more than one judge, both may appear in the role. Sometimes, these templates are mixed, resulting in a black man (often a BaldBlackLeaderGuy) or a white woman playing the part. American Judges are often stereotyped as being from either New England (due to many renowned law schools there) or the South (as an extension of the SimpleCountryLawyer archetype). British judges, meanwhile, tend to be stereotyped as rather posh, as a legacy of how the British class system worked until the 1980s. [[note]]The shift towards neoliberalism under UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher caused significant changes to the British class system, [[TwoDecadesBehind but old stereotypes still persist today]], at least to an extent.[[/note]]
to:
In American works, this archetype is generally either a [[BlackBossLady no-nonsense black woman]] or a gruff white man. When there's a tribunal or another situation with more than one judge, both may appear in the role. Sometimes, these templates are mixed, resulting in a black man (often a BaldBlackLeaderGuy) or a white woman playing the part. American Judges are often stereotyped as being from either New England (due to many renowned law schools there) or the South (as an extension of the SimpleCountryLawyer archetype). British judges, meanwhile, tend to be stereotyped as rather posh, as a legacy of how the British class system worked until the 1980s. [[note]]The shift towards neoliberalism under UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher caused significant changes to the British class system, [[TwoDecadesBehind but old stereotypes still persist today]], at least to an extent.[[/note]]
[[/note]] The stereotyped British judge is probably also rather out-of-date, having to ask the clerk of the court to explain things such as "rock music" and "the internet". Very unlikely to be black or female.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 36 (click to see context) from:
* ''The Book of Utterly Ridiculous Stupid Lists'' by the authors of ''Literature/HowToBeASuperhero'' included a list of things you don't associate with British judges, which leaned very heavily into the trope (or, rather, the opposite of the trope). One of them was the song "Young, Gifted and Black".
to:
* ''The Book of Utterly Ridiculous Stupid Lists'' by the authors of ''Literature/HowToBeASuperhero'' included a list of things you don't associate with British judges, which leaned very heavily into the UK version of the trope (or, rather, the opposite of the trope). One of them was the song "Young, Gifted and Black".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''The Book of Utterly Ridiculous Stupid Lists'' by the authors of ''Literature/HowToBeASuperhero'' included a list of things you don't associate with British judges, which leaned very heavily into the trope (or, rather, the opposite of the trope). One of them was the song "Young, Gifted and Black".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Series/JudgeJohnDeed'': Although John is more middle-aged than elderly, he tolerates no nonsense in his court.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 28 (click to see context) from:
* Judge Gardner in ''Film/{{Rimfire}}''. Very much a hardliner on the importance of law and order, and or citizens doing their civic duty, he is nonetheless not a HangingJudge. It is obvious that he dissatisfied when the KangarooCourt hands down a guilty verdict in the The Abilene Kid's trial, but a legal has been returned and he has no choice but to see it carried out.
to:
* Judge Gardner in ''Film/{{Rimfire}}''. Very much a hardliner on the importance of law and order, and or on citizens doing their civic duty, he is nonetheless not a HangingJudge. It is obvious that he is dissatisfied when the KangarooCourt hands down a guilty verdict in the The Abilene Kid's trial, but a legal verdict has been returned and he has no choice but to see it carried out.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* Judge Gardner in ''Film/{{Rimfire}}''. Very much a hardliner on the importance of law and order, and or citizens doing their civic duty, he is nonetheless not a HangingJudge. It is obvious that he dissatisfied when the KangarooCourt hands down a guilty verdict in the The Abilene Kid's trial, but a legal has been returned and he has no choice but to see it carried out.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/horaceawhopper.jpg]]]]
to:
Changed line(s) 9 (click to see context) from:
!!Examples
to:
!!Examples:
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
to:
[[folder:Films -- Animated]]Animation]]
Changed line(s) 65 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Web Video]]
to:
[[folder:Web Video]]Videos]]
Changed line(s) 75 (click to see context) from:
[[/folder]]
to:
----
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* In ''Film/TheTrialOfTheChicagoSeven'' the proceedings are dominated by the rule of the judge, a corpulent old white man who is a stickler for propriety. [[HangingJudge He seems predisposed against the defendants from the beginning]] due to his respect for authority -- the countercultural values professed by the hippie defendants seems to viscerally offend him, and the proceedings veer into KangarooCourt territory at times due to his respect for authority. At one point the defense wonder if the judge is senile due to some of the odd decisions he makes.
to:
* In ''Film/TheTrialOfTheChicagoSeven'' ''Film/TheTrialOfTheChicago7'' the proceedings are dominated by the rule of the judge, Judge Julius Hoffman, a corpulent old white man who is a stickler for propriety. [[HangingJudge He seems predisposed against the defendants from the beginning]] due to his respect for authority -- the countercultural values professed by the hippie defendants seems to viscerally offend him, and the proceedings veer into KangarooCourt territory at times due to his respect for authority. At one point the defense wonder if the judge is senile due to some of the odd decisions he makes. Also, there's the problem of him [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain having a black defendant beaten up and gagged for showing contempt of court]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* In ''Series/{{JAG}}'' this role belongs to Rear Admiral Lower Half Morris and increasingly, Captain Seabring played by Corbin Benson. Subverted by Admiral Chegwidden who is old and stern, and despite having the position of US Navy Judge Advocate General, is never seen adjudicating a case.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Series/HandOfGod'': Main character Pernell Harris is a state criminal court judge. He fits the gruff older white man model.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Films - Live Action]]
to:
[[folder:Films - Live Action]]-- Live-Action]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Film - Animated]]
to:
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Film - Live Action]]
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 3,4 (click to see context) from:
Being a judge requires both the ability to keep order in a courtroom and significant legal experience. Because of this, fictional judges -- at least in the Western world -- tend to be stern and fairly old. The British tradition of judges and barristers wearing [[JudicialWig powdered wigs]] automatically makes them look extra stern and old.
to:
Being a judge requires both the ability to keep order in a courtroom and significant legal experience. Because of this, fictional judges -- at judges--at least in the Western world -- tend world--tend to be stern and fairly old. The British tradition of judges and barristers wearing [[JudicialWig powdered wigs]] automatically makes them look extra stern and old.
Changed line(s) 12 (click to see context) from:
[[folder: Anime and Manga]]
to:
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
[[folder: Film - Live Action]]
to:
Changed line(s) 35 (click to see context) from:
[[folder: Live-Action TV]]
to:
Changed line(s) 50 (click to see context) from:
[[folder: Music]]
to:
Changed line(s) 59 (click to see context) from:
[[folder: Visual Novels]]
to:
Changed line(s) 63 (click to see context) from:
[[folder: Web Video]]
to:
Changed line(s) 67 (click to see context) from:
[[folder: Western Animation]]
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* In ''Film/TheTrialOfTheChicagoSeven'' the proceedings are dominated by the rule of the judge, a corpulent old white man who is a stickler for propriety. [[HangingJudge He seems predisposed against the defendants from the beginning]] due to his respect for authority -- the countercultural values professed by the hippie defendants seems to viscerally offend him, and the proceedings veer into KangarooCourt territory at times due to his respect for authority. At one point the defense wonder if the judge is senile due to some of the odd decisions he makes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 10 (click to see context) from:
to:
[[foldercontrol]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* Discussed and subverted on ''Series/TheGoodPlace'', "The Burrito". Tahani says that all judges are extremely serious people who wear long robes and the JudicialWig. But the Judge turns out to be a flighty, approachable, and dorky woman.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'' has the elderly Judge Claude Frollo, with a stern demeanor and a gaunt face.
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'' has the elderly Judge Claude Frollo, with a stern demeanor and a gaunt face.face- as well as an incredibly cruel and evil personality.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 11 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Anime and Manga]]
to:
Changed line(s) 13,14 (click to see context) from:
[[AC:Film - Animated]]
to:
[[folder:Film - Animated]]
Changed line(s) 16,17 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Film - Live Action]]
to:
[[folder: Film - Live Action]]
Changed line(s) 23,24 (click to see context) from:
[[AC:Literature]]
to:
[[folder:Literature]]
Changed line(s) 28,29 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
to:
[[folder: Live-Action TV]]
Changed line(s) 41,42 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Music]]
to:
[[folder: Music]]
Changed line(s) 45,46 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Video Games]]
to:
[[folder:Video Games]]
Changed line(s) 48,49 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Visual Novels]]
to:
[[folder: Visual Novels]]
Changed line(s) 51,52 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Web Video]]
to:
[[folder: Web Video]]
Changed line(s) 54,55 (click to see context) from:
[[AC: Western Animation]]
to:
[[folder: Western Animation]]
Changed line(s) 58,59 (click to see context) from:
* Judge Roy Snyder on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is a gruff-voiced, middle-aged black man with a stern and dignified demeanor, who is nevertheless generally reasonable.
** The show's other recurring judge character is Constance Harm, a parody of the above mentioned ''Series/JudgeJudy''. She is not as reasonable as Snyder; in her first appearance, she sentences Homer and Bart to be [[ChainedHeat handcuffed to each other]].
** The show's other recurring judge character is Constance Harm, a parody of the above mentioned ''Series/JudgeJudy''. She is not as reasonable as Snyder; in her first appearance, she sentences Homer and Bart to be [[ChainedHeat handcuffed to each other]].
to:
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Judge Roy Snyderon ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is a gruff-voiced, middle-aged black man with a stern and dignified demeanor, who is nevertheless generally reasonable.
** The show's other recurring judge character is Constance Harm, a parody of the above mentioned ''Series/JudgeJudy''. She is [[HangingJudge not as reasonable asSnyder; Snyder]]; in her first appearance, she sentences Homer and Bart to be [[ChainedHeat handcuffed to each other]].other]].
[[/folder]]
** Judge Roy Snyder
** The show's other recurring judge character is Constance Harm, a parody of the above mentioned ''Series/JudgeJudy''. She is [[HangingJudge not as reasonable as
[[/folder]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/horaceawhopper.jpg]]
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/horaceawhopper.jpg]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
to:
* The music video for ''[[Music/SammyHagar I Can't Drive 55]]'' features an older white man as a judge who has absolutely no tolerance for Sammy's antics.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Added an example from CGP Grey
Added DiffLines:
[[AC: Web Video]]
* In ''WebVideo/CGPGrey'', the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification personification]] of the American Supreme Court always has a deadpan facial expression, a JudicialWig, and a gavel. He is also [[TheComicallySerious comically serious]]. Sometimes there are nine of them to represent the nine justices on the Supreme Court.
* In ''WebVideo/CGPGrey'', the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification personification]] of the American Supreme Court always has a deadpan facial expression, a JudicialWig, and a gavel. He is also [[TheComicallySerious comically serious]]. Sometimes there are nine of them to represent the nine justices on the Supreme Court.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* Parodied on ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' with Judge Whitey, an elderly white man who speaks in a posh New England accent and is a parody of the stereotypical WhiteAngloSaxonProtestant rich guy who is clueless about anyone under his income bracket. Among other things, he has declared poverty a mental illness.
Changed line(s) 51 (click to see context) from:
* Judge Roy Snyder on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is a gruff-voiced, middle-aged black man with a stern and dignified demeanor, who is nevertheless generally reasonable.
to:
* Judge Roy Snyder on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is a gruff-voiced, middle-aged black man with a stern and dignified demeanor, who is nevertheless generally reasonable.reasonable.
** The show's other recurring judge character is Constance Harm, a parody of the above mentioned ''Series/JudgeJudy''. She is not as reasonable as Snyder; in her first appearance, she sentences Homer and Bart to be [[ChainedHeat handcuffed to each other]].
** The show's other recurring judge character is Constance Harm, a parody of the above mentioned ''Series/JudgeJudy''. She is not as reasonable as Snyder; in her first appearance, she sentences Homer and Bart to be [[ChainedHeat handcuffed to each other]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Series/TheAmandaShow'' inverts this with Judge Trudy, a stern ''child'' judge who angrily (and [[DisproportionateRetribution disproportionately]]) punishes adults who discipline their children and refuses to hear out their side.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/MyCousinVinny'': The murder trial central to the plot is being presided over by Judge Heller, a stickler for proper procedure who repeatedly jails the title character (a lawyer who needed six tries to pass the bar exam) for contempt of court for failure to follow said procedures.
to:
* ''Film/MyCousinVinny'': The murder trial central to the plot is being presided over by Judge Heller, a stickler for proper procedure who repeatedly jails the title character (a lawyer who needed six tries to pass the bar exam) for contempt of court for failure to follow said procedures. However, once Vinny starts following the rules, Heller turns out to be perfectly fair and reasonable.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 20,21 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt'' has the founder of Hustler magazine being sued for libel against Reverend Falwell in a Cincinnati court. The presiding judge is a corpulent and taciturn fellow, played by the actual Larry Flynt.
to:
* ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt'' has the founder of Hustler ''Hustler'' magazine being sued for libel against by Reverend Falwell in a Cincinnati court. The presiding judge is a corpulent and taciturn fellow, [[RealPersonCameo played by the actual Larry Flynt.
Flynt]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 12 (click to see context) from:
[[AC:Film Animated]]
to:
[[AC:Film - Animated]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Film/GoodWillHunting'' has Will attempt to weasel his way out of court, only for the judge, named in the credits as George H. Malone, to sentence him to jail anyway based upon his outstanding record of previous crimes that he managed to get overturned.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) :
''This draft is based on a [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1594500020088881000 TRS effort]] to salvage the core idea of TheJudge.''
----
----
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Created from YKTTW
Added DiffLines:
''This draft is based on a [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1594500020088881000 TRS effort]] to salvage the core idea of TheJudge.''
----
Being a judge requires both the ability to keep order in a courtroom and significant legal experience. Because of this, fictional judges -- at least in the Western world -- tend to be stern and fairly old. The British tradition of judges and barristers wearing [[JudicialWig powdered wigs]] automatically makes them look extra stern and old.
In American works, this archetype is generally either a [[BlackBossLady no-nonsense black woman]] or a gruff white man. When there's a tribunal or another situation with more than one judge, both may appear in the role. Sometimes, these templates are mixed, resulting in a black man (often a BaldBlackLeaderGuy) or a white woman playing the part. American Judges are often stereotyped as being from either New England (due to many renowned law schools there) or the South (as an extension of the SimpleCountryLawyer archetype). British judges, meanwhile, tend to be stereotyped as rather posh, as a legacy of how the British class system worked until the 1980s. [[note]]The shift towards neoliberalism under UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher caused significant changes to the British class system, [[TwoDecadesBehind but old stereotypes still persist today]], at least to an extent.[[/note]]
The Stern Old Judge is generally a ReasonableAuthorityFigure, though this is by no means guaranteed. May overlap with GrumpyOldMan. When the judge isn't just strict but actively out to get the defendant, see HangingJudge.
!!Examples
[[AC: Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'': Darius Zackly is an old, bearded white man who wears glasses. He is responsible for passing judgements on conflicts between the military branches, and does so with an incredibly impartial demeanor. Later played with, though, as [[spoiler:he actually gleefully tortures his captured nobles.]]
[[AC:Film Animated]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'' has the elderly Judge Claude Frollo, with a stern demeanor and a gaunt face.
[[AC: Film - Live Action]]
* ''Film/GhostbustersII'': After accidentally causing a major New York blackout, the Ghostbusters are very dismayed to learn their case will be heard by the Honorable Judge Stephen Wexler ("They call him 'The Hammer.'") He's a fire-and-brimstone older man who takes sadistic glee in sentencing them to jail (until he's interrupted by a couple old defendants with a grudge, that is).
* ''Film/MyCousinVinny'': The murder trial central to the plot is being presided over by Judge Heller, a stickler for proper procedure who repeatedly jails the title character (a lawyer who needed six tries to pass the bar exam) for contempt of court for failure to follow said procedures.
* ''Film/NothingButTrouble'': Exaggerated with Justice of the Peace Alvin Valkenheiser, a 106-year-old HangingJudge who fought in World War I and maintains a medieval brand of justice in the small town of Valkenvania, NJ. [[AllCrimesAreEqual All crimes]] from speeding, drug possession, and ''running a stop sign'' are [[DisproportionateRetribution punishable by death]] (in this case performed by the JP's personal torture machine, Mr. Bonestripper).
* ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt'' has the founder of Hustler magazine being sued for libel against Reverend Falwell in a Cincinnati court. The presiding judge is a corpulent and taciturn fellow, played by the actual Larry Flynt.
[[AC:Literature]]
* Creator/AgathaChristie's ''Literature/AndThenThereWereNone'': Judge Lawrence Wargrave is a retired HangingJudge with a no-nonsense attitude; he is accused of steering a jury into sentencing an accused murderer to death in spite of evidence supporting the accused man's innocence.
* In ''Literature/TheStand'' by Creator/StephenKing, Lloyd Henreid, a small-time crook who got in way over his head and is on trial for multiple murders, is told by his lawyer that the judge he's going to draw is a career judge who is over 70 years old. Lloyd is very upset, because he knows such a judge is pretty much going to be this trope. The lawyer also informs Lloyd that judges like this, in their younger days, used to make the rounds of their territories on horseback, and standard operating procedure was to have a speedy trial and then break out the rope. Sure enough, Lloyd gets sentenced to the electric chair.
* ''Literature/TheWestingGame'': Josie-Jo Ford is the black and female variety of this trope. In fact, it's stated that her strict, serious demeanor helped to make her the first black female judge in her state's history.
[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld'': In episode 14 of season 4, Cory is arraigned for speeding but doesn't panic when he is told that the judge that will be preceding over his case has the last name "Lamb". [[FluffyTheTerrible However, the judge in question turns out to be a very strict and intimidating man despite what his name implies]].
* ''Series/HardcastleAndMcCormick'' centers on a retired judge and a race car driver. Judge Milton Hardcastle aims to incarcerate criminals who weaseled out of a conviction on technicalities, and Mark [=McCormick=] was convicted of stealing a prototype race car (from its designer's murderer). [=McCormick=] ends up in the custody of Judge "Hard-case" Hardcastle, where he puts his talents and wits to use as an ersatz detective. Judge Hardcastle is a stickler for the law, even keeping a copy of the Miranda Rights in his boxer shorts.
* ''Series/JudgeJudy'' is the poster child for this trope. Judge Judy is a woman on the higher end of middle age who takes ''zero'' crap from any of the parties on her show and is quick to snarkily chew out anyone who she thinks is being dumb.
* In ''Series/LawAndOrder'', Judge Walter Bradley is the toughest judge the Manhattan DA's office has to deal with. He's also among the oldest shown on the series.
* In ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', Judge Lena Petrovsky usually serves as the series' designated hardass, although she's not the series' oldest judge.
* The title character on ''Series/{{Matlock}}'' sometimes runs afoul of older judges who are harsh sticklers for procedure that hamstring him at every turn. This is especially true on the rare times a judge is also the murderer, an example being Carter Addison in the episode "The Judge."
* ''Series/TheMightyBoosh'': In the episode "The Nightmare of Milky Joe", Howard and Vince go on trial for murder in a society composed of puppets made from coconuts (ItMakesSenseInContext). The judge at their trial is a stern old coconut man with a deep, sonorous voice and posh accent, who wears a "judicial wig" made from a white piece of rope.
* Subverted for comedy in one ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' sketch, where two judges who appear old and stern on the surface are revealed to be CampGay once they get out of the courtroom. They exchange stories of gavel-banging and stern telling-offs they delivered, reframing the classic stern judge schtick as catty gay sassiness instead.
* The judges on the 1950s-1960s ''Franchise/PerryMason'' television show are almost always older (usually male) and (except when the plot requires a [[ThePerryMasonMethod Perry Mason Method]] style denouement) keep a tight rein on the court proceedings.
* In an episode of ''Series/WorzelGummidge'', Worzel is put into a KangarooCourt with the Crow Man, who's already a serious, somewhat cranky ([[JerkWithAHeartOfGold but decent]]) old man being the judge.
[[AC: Music]]
* ''Music/TheWall'': In "The Trial", Pink is judged by Judge Worm, a harsh and rather vulgar judge who sentences Pink to be "exposed before [his] peers" and orders the titular wall torn down. Whether he's Pink's distorted perception of an actual judge or all in Pink's head is [[AmbiguousSituation left deliberately ambiguous]].
[[AC: Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'': The judge presiding over [[BloodKnight Johnny Gat]]'s appeal is an older black woman with absolutely no patience for Gat's blatant disregard of court decorum.
[[AC: Visual Novels]]
* Subverted with the Judge from the ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' series. While he certainly looks the part, he's pretty indecisive, easily swayed, and [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} very eccentric]]. It should be noted that judges have a different set of stereotypes in Japan from the ones they have in the West.
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'': Judge Roy Spleen is a grumpy old monster judge in the Underworld. In "[[Recap/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandyS6E2KeeperOfTheReaper Keeper of the Reaper]]," Judge Spleen becomes TheComicallySerious as he gets increasingly fed up with Fred Fredburger's immature behavior and constant interruptions.
* Judge Roy Snyder on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is a gruff-voiced, middle-aged black man with a stern and dignified demeanor, who is nevertheless generally reasonable.
----
Being a judge requires both the ability to keep order in a courtroom and significant legal experience. Because of this, fictional judges -- at least in the Western world -- tend to be stern and fairly old. The British tradition of judges and barristers wearing [[JudicialWig powdered wigs]] automatically makes them look extra stern and old.
In American works, this archetype is generally either a [[BlackBossLady no-nonsense black woman]] or a gruff white man. When there's a tribunal or another situation with more than one judge, both may appear in the role. Sometimes, these templates are mixed, resulting in a black man (often a BaldBlackLeaderGuy) or a white woman playing the part. American Judges are often stereotyped as being from either New England (due to many renowned law schools there) or the South (as an extension of the SimpleCountryLawyer archetype). British judges, meanwhile, tend to be stereotyped as rather posh, as a legacy of how the British class system worked until the 1980s. [[note]]The shift towards neoliberalism under UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher caused significant changes to the British class system, [[TwoDecadesBehind but old stereotypes still persist today]], at least to an extent.[[/note]]
The Stern Old Judge is generally a ReasonableAuthorityFigure, though this is by no means guaranteed. May overlap with GrumpyOldMan. When the judge isn't just strict but actively out to get the defendant, see HangingJudge.
!!Examples
[[AC: Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'': Darius Zackly is an old, bearded white man who wears glasses. He is responsible for passing judgements on conflicts between the military branches, and does so with an incredibly impartial demeanor. Later played with, though, as [[spoiler:he actually gleefully tortures his captured nobles.]]
[[AC:Film Animated]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'' has the elderly Judge Claude Frollo, with a stern demeanor and a gaunt face.
[[AC: Film - Live Action]]
* ''Film/GhostbustersII'': After accidentally causing a major New York blackout, the Ghostbusters are very dismayed to learn their case will be heard by the Honorable Judge Stephen Wexler ("They call him 'The Hammer.'") He's a fire-and-brimstone older man who takes sadistic glee in sentencing them to jail (until he's interrupted by a couple old defendants with a grudge, that is).
* ''Film/MyCousinVinny'': The murder trial central to the plot is being presided over by Judge Heller, a stickler for proper procedure who repeatedly jails the title character (a lawyer who needed six tries to pass the bar exam) for contempt of court for failure to follow said procedures.
* ''Film/NothingButTrouble'': Exaggerated with Justice of the Peace Alvin Valkenheiser, a 106-year-old HangingJudge who fought in World War I and maintains a medieval brand of justice in the small town of Valkenvania, NJ. [[AllCrimesAreEqual All crimes]] from speeding, drug possession, and ''running a stop sign'' are [[DisproportionateRetribution punishable by death]] (in this case performed by the JP's personal torture machine, Mr. Bonestripper).
* ''Film/ThePeopleVsLarryFlynt'' has the founder of Hustler magazine being sued for libel against Reverend Falwell in a Cincinnati court. The presiding judge is a corpulent and taciturn fellow, played by the actual Larry Flynt.
[[AC:Literature]]
* Creator/AgathaChristie's ''Literature/AndThenThereWereNone'': Judge Lawrence Wargrave is a retired HangingJudge with a no-nonsense attitude; he is accused of steering a jury into sentencing an accused murderer to death in spite of evidence supporting the accused man's innocence.
* In ''Literature/TheStand'' by Creator/StephenKing, Lloyd Henreid, a small-time crook who got in way over his head and is on trial for multiple murders, is told by his lawyer that the judge he's going to draw is a career judge who is over 70 years old. Lloyd is very upset, because he knows such a judge is pretty much going to be this trope. The lawyer also informs Lloyd that judges like this, in their younger days, used to make the rounds of their territories on horseback, and standard operating procedure was to have a speedy trial and then break out the rope. Sure enough, Lloyd gets sentenced to the electric chair.
* ''Literature/TheWestingGame'': Josie-Jo Ford is the black and female variety of this trope. In fact, it's stated that her strict, serious demeanor helped to make her the first black female judge in her state's history.
[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld'': In episode 14 of season 4, Cory is arraigned for speeding but doesn't panic when he is told that the judge that will be preceding over his case has the last name "Lamb". [[FluffyTheTerrible However, the judge in question turns out to be a very strict and intimidating man despite what his name implies]].
* ''Series/HardcastleAndMcCormick'' centers on a retired judge and a race car driver. Judge Milton Hardcastle aims to incarcerate criminals who weaseled out of a conviction on technicalities, and Mark [=McCormick=] was convicted of stealing a prototype race car (from its designer's murderer). [=McCormick=] ends up in the custody of Judge "Hard-case" Hardcastle, where he puts his talents and wits to use as an ersatz detective. Judge Hardcastle is a stickler for the law, even keeping a copy of the Miranda Rights in his boxer shorts.
* ''Series/JudgeJudy'' is the poster child for this trope. Judge Judy is a woman on the higher end of middle age who takes ''zero'' crap from any of the parties on her show and is quick to snarkily chew out anyone who she thinks is being dumb.
* In ''Series/LawAndOrder'', Judge Walter Bradley is the toughest judge the Manhattan DA's office has to deal with. He's also among the oldest shown on the series.
* In ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', Judge Lena Petrovsky usually serves as the series' designated hardass, although she's not the series' oldest judge.
* The title character on ''Series/{{Matlock}}'' sometimes runs afoul of older judges who are harsh sticklers for procedure that hamstring him at every turn. This is especially true on the rare times a judge is also the murderer, an example being Carter Addison in the episode "The Judge."
* ''Series/TheMightyBoosh'': In the episode "The Nightmare of Milky Joe", Howard and Vince go on trial for murder in a society composed of puppets made from coconuts (ItMakesSenseInContext). The judge at their trial is a stern old coconut man with a deep, sonorous voice and posh accent, who wears a "judicial wig" made from a white piece of rope.
* Subverted for comedy in one ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' sketch, where two judges who appear old and stern on the surface are revealed to be CampGay once they get out of the courtroom. They exchange stories of gavel-banging and stern telling-offs they delivered, reframing the classic stern judge schtick as catty gay sassiness instead.
* The judges on the 1950s-1960s ''Franchise/PerryMason'' television show are almost always older (usually male) and (except when the plot requires a [[ThePerryMasonMethod Perry Mason Method]] style denouement) keep a tight rein on the court proceedings.
* In an episode of ''Series/WorzelGummidge'', Worzel is put into a KangarooCourt with the Crow Man, who's already a serious, somewhat cranky ([[JerkWithAHeartOfGold but decent]]) old man being the judge.
[[AC: Music]]
* ''Music/TheWall'': In "The Trial", Pink is judged by Judge Worm, a harsh and rather vulgar judge who sentences Pink to be "exposed before [his] peers" and orders the titular wall torn down. Whether he's Pink's distorted perception of an actual judge or all in Pink's head is [[AmbiguousSituation left deliberately ambiguous]].
[[AC: Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'': The judge presiding over [[BloodKnight Johnny Gat]]'s appeal is an older black woman with absolutely no patience for Gat's blatant disregard of court decorum.
[[AC: Visual Novels]]
* Subverted with the Judge from the ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' series. While he certainly looks the part, he's pretty indecisive, easily swayed, and [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} very eccentric]]. It should be noted that judges have a different set of stereotypes in Japan from the ones they have in the West.
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'': Judge Roy Spleen is a grumpy old monster judge in the Underworld. In "[[Recap/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandyS6E2KeeperOfTheReaper Keeper of the Reaper]]," Judge Spleen becomes TheComicallySerious as he gets increasingly fed up with Fred Fredburger's immature behavior and constant interruptions.
* Judge Roy Snyder on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' is a gruff-voiced, middle-aged black man with a stern and dignified demeanor, who is nevertheless generally reasonable.
