Hot Bench

CBS Media Ventures

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.

Play

Open in

77 episodes
daily
Avg 18 min
English

Episodes 77

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S13 · E3366
Friday · 18 min
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 determine if this SUV was a lemon, or was this friendship simply souring with age?
S13 · E3359
Thursday · 18 min
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 ownership may have ended, but the judges are just getting started!
S13 · E3365
Wednesday · 18 min
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 unfairly left in the dark. This friendship’s power may be permanently shut off!
S13 · E3373
Tuesday · 18 min
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 started and needed a complete redo! Watch this food truck case with an extra side of accusations!
S13 · E3356
Monday · 18 min
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 strings attached. When family and money collide, emotions run high.
S13 · E3367
November 6 · 18 min
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 fighting for the right of way!
S13 · E3361
November 5 · 18 min
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 couldn’t always pay. Talk about a lease on lingering drama!
S13 · E3360
November 4 · 18 min
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 crossed a line and made her uncomfortable. This is one dispute that’s packed with tension!
November 3 · 33 min
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, 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?
October 31 · 9 min
The Reality TV Renaissance | Straight Up: After Hours with Vlad & Kelly
Dancing With the Stars is breaking voting records even after 35 seasons, cringe Love Is Blind clips are breaking the internet, and Love Island is still breaking hearts week after week... It seems we are having a reality TV renaissance. But what's behind it? Are we yearning for people to be “real” and "messy" in an online world so otherwise polished? Or are we falling for a trap? Is reality TV the furthest thing from reality of all? CBS News correspondents Vlad Duthiers and Kelly O'Grady are breaking it down in the very first episode of the new series, "Straight Up." Enjoyed this clip from "Straight Up?" Follow the series now - just search "Straight Up: After Hours with Vlad & Kelly" wherever you get your podcasts.
S13 · E3354
October 30 · 18 min
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 as trust and transmission trouble are on trial.
S13 · E3355
October 29 · 18 min
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 follow the rules. Watch as both sides argue over a living situation that came with more drama than square footage!
S13 · E3353
October 28 · 18 min
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 is anything but a good look!
S13 · E3352
October 27 · 18 min
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 SUV! This breakup comes with plenty of automotive baggage.
S13 · E3351
October 26 · 18 min
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 difficult circumstances. This celebration is ringing in the drama!
S13 · E3350
October 23 · 18 min
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 and no brakes on the drama!
S13 · E3349
October 22 · 18 min
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 judges must determine whether repayment was promised or presumed.
S13 · E3348
October 21 · 18 min
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 the arrangement, which he knew! Looks like this rental dispute, is checking into court.
S13 · E3347
October 20 · 18 min
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 like this, somebody’s story isn’t passing the sniff test!
S13 · E3346
October 19 · 18 min
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 as the judges navigate a collision of faith, favors and hard feelings.

Showing 1–20 of 77 episodes