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

Judge Judy’s longtime bailiff Petri Hawkins-Byrd has revealed what it’s really like working with sharp-tongued courtroom queen Judy Scheindlin.

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

‘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 native 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 elicit some type of reaction from her, mostly,’ he added. 

Petri, who was Judy’s real-life bailiff before joining her TV show, recalled one incident when he was caught doing an impersonation of Judy in her 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,’ he said. 

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

A red-faced Petri said he handed Judy back her robe and glasses and promptly offered to resign.

Fortunately, 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, she 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.