I guess that must be why she has been a lawyer for over 30 years, about half of that as a real judge.
Reality TV is hot. Many millions of morons populate this Earth and enjoy stupid television that requires no thinking to enjoy.
All Aunt Judy does is insult and ridicule people. Nothing difficult in that. All her cases are ridiculous small claims. She was a family judge before that, handling divorces and other disputes.
While the evidence requirements are lax for civil court, I think some people find entertainment in her mean spirited judgmental assumptions which often effect the outcome in the cases, and that's why she stays on. Of the other similar shows I've caught once in a while they are generally nice unless the other person mouths off like a real court, however there's always those judges who have their own agenda even in federal, and criminal courts which shouldn't be allowed.
I don't care to watch these shows, whoever does the people's court now is generally a nice person, and if I had to be in civil court I would rather have somebody like them, just not on television even though they pay you for it.
Maybe she's just jaded from all of the messy family, and divorce cases where one or more of the participants were in the wrong in her past. I have no idea what she is really like, but I don't care for her on the show.
Judy probably uses science, body language, vocal ques. By keeping the upper hand and getting in people faces she and see from the plaintiff and defendant what is plausible.
Personally, I like the fact that she can get tough with people, she's like a mom whose had it with her teenager. I only occasionally watch, preferring the science and history channels, but when I am tired and too distracted to use my brain, I watch.
I find it fascinating that people subject themselves to this, so they deserve what they get.
If you were the plaintiff and somebody did something heinous to you, you'd want someone like her to tear a new one in the defendant's tail end.