Editing Judge Mathis (section)

===Case handling and adjudicating approach===
{{Main|Greg Mathis}}

Mathis typically began proceedings by immediately giving the [[plaintiff]] the floor, having him/her expound on their side of the dispute in its entirety to gain insight into the matters. Mathis subsequently granted the [[defendant]] the same opportunity. Cases on ''Judge Mathis'' tended to go deeper and to more revealing places than those of most other court shows. He called attention to peculiarities or juicy details exposed throughout the proceedings as a means of making the cases more stimulating to viewers. More open and unreserved in his personal beliefs than other judges, Mathis never hesitated to tackle serious, topical [[social issue#United States|societal issues]], [[politics|political]] and [[mental health]] matters, and any other touchy subjects that emerged during the proceedings. Not one to shy away from disclosing his [[liberalism|liberal]] mindset, Mathis tied in his [[social justice]] and rehabilitation perspectives into the cases.<ref name="books.google.com"/>

While hearing the testimonies, Mathis took on a relaxed, attentive, understanding, and open-minded nature. Rarely missing an opportunity to jest or poke fun, however, Mathis was given to wit, joking and humor, also good-natured ridicule and ribbing of the parties, often rousing his audience to uproarious amusement. He sometimes cut the tension–even tension he had fostered–with wisecracks or playfully taunting remarks. Mathis had bantered directly at audience members on occasion, also resulting in audience amusement.<ref name="metnews.com">{{cite web|author=Roger M. Grace |url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/reminiscing100203.htm |title=Seven Courtroom Shows Appear on TV's Fall Docket |publisher=Metnews.com |date=2 October 2003 |access-date=9 September 2013}}</ref> A trademark, Mathis sporadically used a rather high-pitched voice to stultify litigants in a manner that suggests they've acted foolishly or have not recognized the obvious.<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref name="pcasacas.org">http://pcasacas.org/SiPC/29.1/29.1%20Jeremiah.pdf {{dead link|date=September 2013}}</ref>

Combined with his teasing and comedic tendencies on the bench,<ref name="metnews.com"/> Mathis was known for his [[wikt: street-smart|street smart]]; urban expressions; and, once he had closely observed, reasoned back and forth and taken a stance on the litigants and matters brought before him, his stern, shaming and firmly lecturing side as well. Occasionally, Mathis left the courtroom to deliberate and then returned with his verdict.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZD6eR43pMcC&pg=PA230 |title=The A to Z of African-American Television|date= 4 August 2009|isbn=9780810863484 |access-date=9 September 2013|last1=Fearn-Banks |first1=Kathleen |publisher=Scarecrow Press }}</ref> Upon final judgment, he would briefly explain the legal principle guiding his verdict, especially if his ruling was based on a particular state's law. Reportedly, Mathis's rulings conformed to the laws of the state where the case was originally filed.<ref>Judge Mathis interview. Online at: [http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2009/12/28/interview-with-judge-mathis/ "Interview with the Judge Mathis"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707101115/http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2009/12/28/interview-with-judge-mathis/ |date=7 July 2011 }}. Retrieved 5 March 2011</ref> In recent years, the show began to conduct [[Paternity (law)|paternity]] testing in disputes about [[child custody]], and [[drug testing]] if applicable. Mathis often offered or compeled [[drug rehabilitation|drug treatment]] and family counseling for those parties in need.<ref name="MadameNoire"/><ref name="ChicagoTribuneArticle"/>