Does 'Night Court' exist in real life? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 02-12-2006, 01:47 PM

I've never heard of it. Does anyone know if court takes place at night anywhere?

nitcrt1 · 02-12-2006, 02:48 PM

Yes. There really is a Manhattan Criminal Court. If you watch the first season DVD, creator Reinhold Weege talks about visiting an actual Manhattan night court. He even said in an interview once that the things that happened on "Night Court" were mild compared to some of the real things he saw. He did say that the way things happened on the show were pretty much exactly the way they really happen in a Manhattan night court. The lawyers do have open conversations with the judge, the gallery is made up of a diverse group of people...sometimes he said people took dates...pretty much what you see is what you get. I think even some lawyers said the show was very close to the way things are run in an actual Manhattan night court. Go figure. A show that is less crazy than an actual night court courtroom.

ekkostar · 02-12-2006, 03:26 PM

Sure does.
Turns up in my Google searches for the fictional Night Court frequently.

nitcrt1 · 02-12-2006, 07:01 PM

For some general information on the real Manhattan criminal court check out this link:

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts...eralinfo.shtml

Janice · 02-12-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitcrt1

For some general information on the real Manhattan criminal court check out this link:

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts...eralinfo.shtml

Thanks for the info. Now I know.

McFly121 · 02-13-2006, 01:27 PM

Somebody posted pics of the actual Criminal Courts Building in New York that they used for the opening credits.

I've gone on a whim a couple times to the ones here in LA. Of course, not as funny as the show, actually kind of depressing. Seeing people with recurring drug problems or a girl breaking down as the judge suspends her driver's license for a year.

But a bailiff does bring in the defendant, though the lawyers argued from their tables and not in front of the judge. The show obviously stretched credibility, but that's tv for you. One thing comes to mind like how Yakov came RACING in screaming for Harry's help in the middle of an arraingment. Never would be tolerated in real life. Or Dan cozying up to a bimbo on his desk and setting up a date.

Still love the show!

Ohio8 · 02-25-2006, 10:10 PM

Are the NYC night courts under city or state jurisdiction? I'm asking because the show's bailiffs (Bull and selma, among others) wore "Court Officer State of New York" patches on their uniforms.

nitcrt1 · 02-26-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio8

Are the NYC night courts under city or state jurisdiction? I'm asking because the show's bailiffs (Bull and selma, among others) wore "Court Officer State of New York" patches on their uniforms.

On the NYC Criminal Court website the divisions are listed under the top of the page heading, "New York State Unified Court System." So, my guess is that the courts are run by the state. Don't quote me on that though. (LOL) It's a good question. The other reason I would think it was run by the state is due to the episode that was on the other night called, "Wheels of Justice." Municipal employees had to wait until the State Assembly in Albany came up with an agreement before they got paid.

Ohio8 · 03-02-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitcrt1

On the NYC Criminal Court website the divisions are listed under the top of the page heading, "New York State Unified Court System." So, my guess is that the courts are run by the state. Don't quote me on that though. (LOL) It's a good question. The other reason I would think it was run by the state is due to the episode that was on the other night called, "Wheels of Justice." Municipal employees had to wait until the State Assembly in Albany came up with an agreement before they got paid.

Thank you for the help.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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nitcrt1 · 03-02-2006, 04:57 PM

Anytime. Glad to help.

02-12-2006, 01:47 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Does 'Night Court' exist in real life? I've never heard of it. Does anyone know if court takes place at night anywhere?

02-12-2006, 02:48 PM	#2
nitcrt1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 482	Yes. There really is a Manhattan Criminal Court. If you watch the first season DVD, creator Reinhold Weege talks about visiting an actual Manhattan night court. He even said in an interview once that the things that happened on "Night Court" were mild compared to some of the real things he saw. He did say that the way things happened on the show were pretty much exactly the way they really happen in a Manhattan night court. The lawyers do have open conversations with the judge, the gallery is made up of a diverse group of people...sometimes he said people took dates...pretty much what you see is what you get. I think even some lawyers said the show was very close to the way things are run in an actual Manhattan night court. Go figure. A show that is less crazy than an actual night court courtroom.
	__________________ House to Cuddy: "Jail. You'd like that. No more naughty schoolgirl. (turning to Vogler) Conjugal visit-that's her new fantasy." -Mob Rules-

02-12-2006, 03:26 PM	#3
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	Sure does. Turns up in my Google searches for the fictional Night Court frequently.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...

02-13-2006, 01:27 PM	#6
McFly121 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: calif Posts: 812	Somebody posted pics of the actual Criminal Courts Building in New York that they used for the opening credits. I've gone on a whim a couple times to the ones here in LA. Of course, not as funny as the show, actually kind of depressing. Seeing people with recurring drug problems or a girl breaking down as the judge suspends her driver's license for a year. But a bailiff does bring in the defendant, though the lawyers argued from their tables and not in front of the judge. The show obviously stretched credibility, but that's tv for you. One thing comes to mind like how Yakov came RACING in screaming for Harry's help in the middle of an arraingment. Never would be tolerated in real life. Or Dan cozying up to a bimbo on his desk and setting up a date. Still love the show!
	__________________ "That was Bob's donut!"

02-12-2006, 07:01 PM	#4
nitcrt1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 482	For some general information on the real Manhattan criminal court check out this link: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts...eralinfo.shtml

02-25-2006, 10:10 PM	#7
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,965	Are the NYC night courts under city or state jurisdiction? I'm asking because the show's bailiffs (Bull and selma, among others) wore "Court Officer State of New York" patches on their uniforms.

03-02-2006, 04:57 PM	#10
nitcrt1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 482	Anytime. Glad to help.