Judge Judy’s bailiff Petri Hawkins-Byrd reveals what she’s REALLY like behind-the-scenes

Judge Judy’s long-time bailiff Petri Hawkins-Byrd has revealed what it’s really like to work with sharp-tongued courtroom queen Judy Scheindlin. 

Appearing on Australian breakfast program Studio 10 on Tuesday, Petri, 54, revealed that despite her tough on-screen persona, the 77-year-old actually enjoys a good laugh.

‘So she’s always had this great sense of humour. And I think that’s what happens between us when we’re on set,’ the Brooklyn-born star explained. 

‘I don’t get to say much, but when I do get to say something, it’s usually pretty pointed and it’s meant to illicit some type of reaction from her, mostly,’ he added. 

Petri, who worked as Judy’s real-life bailiff before joining her TV show, recalled one incident where he was caught doing an impersonation of Judy in her actual courtroom in New York.  

‘One day she came back from lunch, in actual court. And there was this big black guy sitting on the bench, in her robe and in her glasses, doing what she called a ‘scathingly accurate’ impersonation of her,’ Petri mused.  

‘When she walked in, everybody stopped laughing,’ he added. 

Red-faced, Petri said he handed Judy back her robe and glasses and promptly offered to fire himself.  

Luckily, Judy had a sense of humour and chose not to reprimand him. 

‘She always talked about that and she always laughed about that,’ Petri chuckled.    

Elsewhere in his Studio 10 interview, Petri revealed that Judy is the life of the party when it comes to work functions. 

‘At every wrap party, [Judy] is the first one out on the dance floor. She and I always take to the dance floor first, because we’re from Brooklyn, we have to represent Brooklyn,’ he laughed. 

Petri has appeared on Judge Judy since its first episode in 1996, making him the longest-running court show bailiff in history.