Judge Mathis Season 16 Episode 12 Episode 12
- September 23, 2014
Judge Mathis is a television show where cases are presented by plaintiffs and defendants from all over America. The cases are then judged by the honorable Greg Mathis, a retired Michigan circuit court judge. This show aims to provide fair judgments to the people who seek justice for their misfortunes and brings awareness to societal issues such as domestic violence, financial frauds, and scams.
Season 16 Episode 12 of Judge Mathis has its door open for a crucial case which has been brought before the judge by a plaintiff named Jenna. Jenna claims that her ex-boyfriend and father of her child Cody is way behind on child support payments. Jenna had to take the matter to court because Cody has been continuously ignoring providing for his child for over a year now. Jenna, who is still struggling to make ends meet and provide a safe environment for her child, says that she has tried reaching out to Cody several times to ask him to pay the fair share of expenses for their child. Still, all she got from Cody were empty promises. She feels Cody is not taking his responsibility seriously, and the matter now needs to be resolved through legal actions.
Cody, on the other hand, was surprised to receive a court order from Jenna. He still thinks that he has been paying his share of child support regularly and that Jenna is just being greedy and trying to get more money. Cody says that he has always been there for his child when Jenna needed him, so he sees no reason not to believe his financial contributions haven't been adequate. Cody adds that Jenna's recent move to another city and her change of phone numbers have made it difficult for him to keep track of the situation.
As the case proceeds, Judge Mathis listens carefully to both parties and questions Cody's claims. Judge Mathis reminds Cody that court orders are not just suggestions, and if he thinks that he has already paid his part, then he needs to provide evidence to support his statements. The judge also tells Jenna that while wearing the hat of a judge, he cannot wave his magic wand and make a person pay support if they genuinely do not have the means to do so. Judge Mathis also reminds Jenna that taking father's for child support is not an easy-straightforward process, rather a complicated one that could take several weeks or even months to conclude.
Throughout the hearing, the judge keeps a neutral stance and keeps asking questions until he is satisfied with the explanation. At one point, Judge Mathis expresses disappointment towards Cody's ignorance and tells him that being a father is not just about providing financial support. An emotional Cody then admitted his faults and apologized to Jenna and the court. He agreed to pay the dues and stated that he would do better in the future. After Cody's apology, Jenna took the initiative to recognize that she may have overreacted and said that they could work things out outside the courtroom if Cody would be reliable from now.
In the end, Judge Mathis suggests the two young parents try to work together outside the courtroom to raise their child. He tells them that at the end of the day, the child's wellbeing should be their primary concern. The Judge also communicates to both parents that raising a child requires a more substantial commitment than just financial support, and they must remain present influences for the young child's life.
Overall, this episode of Judge Mathis showcased a classic case where a simple misunderstanding of communication and bias of emotions can make a matter magnify instead of actually resolving it. It portrays that financial support can only go so far in bringing up a child, but the importance of love and understanding cannot be undermined. Judge Mathis plays a crucial role in guiding and assessing the situation, ensuring that justice is served without violating the merit and rights of either party.