Judge Judy Season 21 Episode 31 Nervy Squatter Lawsuit?!; Well-Behaved Courtroom Dog

In season 21 episode 31 of Judge Judy, titled "Nervy Squatter Lawsuit?!; Well-Behaved Courtroom Dog", the no-nonsense judge presides over two separate cases.

In the first case, a man is suing his former roommate for failing to pay rent and refusing to leave the apartment they shared. The plaintiff claims that the defendant had promised to pay half of the rent but never followed through, and that he had been living in the apartment for months without contributing anything. The defendant, on the other hand, argues that he and the plaintiff had agreed to split the rent equally, but that the plaintiff had failed to inform him of additional expenses that he had incurred. He also claims that he had been actively looking for work and had not been able to find anything, hence his inability to pay rent.

As Judge Judy listens to both sides of the story, she begins to suspect that the defendant is not being entirely truthful. She questions him about his finances and his job search, and finds inconsistencies in his answers. She also points out that he had been living in the apartment without paying rent for an extended period of time, which suggests that he had no intention of ever paying. In the end, Judge Judy rules in favor of the plaintiff, ordering the defendant to pay the back rent owed.

In the second case, a woman is suing her former landlord for refusing to return her security deposit. The plaintiff had rented a home from the defendant for a few months, but had moved out early due to several issues she had with the property. She claims that the defendant had promised to return her security deposit, but had not done so despite numerous requests. The defendant, however, argues that the plaintiff had left the property in poor condition and had not fulfilled her lease agreement. She also claims that she had spent a significant amount of money on repairs and cleaning after the plaintiff moved out, which justifies her withholding the security deposit.

As Judge Judy listens to both sides of the story, she is able to uncover several important facts that were not previously disclosed. She discovers that the plaintiff had indeed left the property in poor condition, with damage to the walls and furnishings. However, she also finds that the defendant had failed to provide adequate notice for several repairs that needed to be done, and had not given the plaintiff a chance to remedy any issues before deducting from her security deposit. In the end, Judge Judy orders the defendant to return a portion of the security deposit to the plaintiff, citing insufficient notice and lack of opportunity to remedy the situation.

Throughout the episode, Judge Judy is also accompanied by a well-behaved courtroom dog, who provides some lighthearted moments as he sits patiently by her side. The dog is praised by Judge Judy for his excellent behavior, and even receives a treat from one of the litigants at the end of the episode.