What happened to Judge Larry Bakman from Hot Bench? Everything to know
Judge Larry Bakman made a strong impression as one of the original judges on Hot Bench, admired for his direct approach and legal expertise. His sudden departure surprised many viewers, and the mystery around his exit has kept fans curious ever since. So, what happened to Judge Larry Bakman?
Source: Twitter
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Judge Larry Bakman was one of the original judges on Hot Bench.
- He was known for his direct, no-nonsense approach in the courtroom.
- His sudden departure from the show surprised many fans.
- Bakman continues to work in the legal field through his private practice.
Larry Bakman profile summary
| Full name | Larry Bakman |
| Place of birth | Detroit, Michigan |
| Age | Approximately mid to late 50s |
| Gender | Male |
| Nationality | American |
| Marital status | Married |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (B.A. degree), Suthwestern University School of Law (Juris Doctorate) |
| Profession | Criminal defence attorney, former judge on Hot Bench |
| Net worth | $1 million - $2 million |
What happened to JudgeLarry Bakman from Hot Bench?
Judge Larry Bakman, one of the original judges on Hot Bench, left the show to dedicate more time to his busy law practice. His work primarily involves handling serious cases such as federal weapons charges, solicitation of murder, and domestic violence—very different from the small-claims disputes featured on the program.
Judge Larry Bakman's bio?
Source: Original
Judge Larry Bakman was born in Detroit, Michigan, the United States of America, and he belongs to the white ethnicity. However, not much is known about his formative years, including his parents and siblings.
Larry Bakman’s birthday and exact age are not widely publicised, as he tends to keep his details private. However, based on available information, his age is estimated to be in the mid to late 50s. Unfortunately, there is no confirmed public record of Larry Bakman’s birthday.
Education
Larry graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.A. degree and received his Juris Doctorate from the Southwestern University School of Law.
Career
After getting his law degree, Larry started practice in the area of criminal defence. During the start of his career, the talented lawyer defended various cases that the United States government brought under the RICO Act.
A great example is a federal death penalty case in which his client faced extremely serious charges. After an eleven-month trial, Larry successfully secured an acquittal on all counts.
Larry has served as a judge for the Van Nuys Municipal Court and the West Los Angeles Municipal Court. In addition, he established his practice in California, New York and other areas.
Bakman was one of the most interesting judges on the television show Hot Bench. However, he announced his departure in October 2016 and was replaced by Michael Corriero.
What happened to Judge Larry Bakman after Hot Bench?
After being part of Hot Bench for two seasons, judge Larry left the show and announced that he wouldn’t feature for season three.
Fans were angered at his exit and did not take it well. Larry Bakman's leaving Hot Bench was a trending topic people chanting “bring Bakman back” online for a long time. The chant showed the disappointment that fans had with his exit.
Michael Corriero replaced Larry. However, fans did not immediately accept the changes. Many stated that the replacement was too laid back to be a judge. Others mentioned that his energy did not balance with that of his counterparts on the show. So, why did Larry Bakman leave Hot Bench?
Source: Facebook
Why did Larry Bakman leave Hot Bench?
The Hot Bench judge chose to focus on his law practice rather than continue appearing on a reality television show. He is primarily involved in cases such as federal weapons charges, solicitation of murder, and domestic violence. These are a significant shift from the small-claims cases featured on the show.
Larry Bakman posted on his Facebook page that he quit doing more serious stuff.
I am incredibly swamped with my practice, handling major cases such as domestic violence and solicitation of murder. This work is a far cry from the small claims typically seen on Hot Bench.
Also, the skilled lawyer spoke to Jlife about his impeccable legal skills and mentioned that he has over 20 years of experience in the profession.
I handled all types of cases, including Aryan Brotherhood, RICO entity, Na*i Low Rider, and Mexican Mafia. These are some of the most terrible criminal gangs. For the most part, prosecution happens via snitch testimonies. Certain members of the gangs would occasionally flip on others. As a legal expert, I would cross-examine the gangs with such aggression and heaviness that many would break and flip. After the show, I would replay the tapes and feel very proud of how the case went.
Larry Bakman's legal issues are more complicated than what he handled in the reality TV show. According to the lawyer, he prefers handling cases from a criminal angle. Also, he has stated that the reality television show has been a great learning experience from that standpoint.
Larry also reiterated that doing the show held him back, as it ought to be entertaining while solving cases. However, in an actual courtroom with a lot at stake, everything must be handled more realistically, and the lawyer must dig deep to win the case.
Judge Bakman has been mainly dealing with criminal cases, which has made him the renowned lawyer he is today. Currently, he practices in six jurisdictions in the United States of America.
Is Larry Bakman a real judge?
Yes, Larry Bakman is a real judge. He served as a Judge Pro Tem in Van Nuys and West Los Angeles Municipal Courts before appearing on Hot Bench as one of the original judges for the first two seasons. Although he left the show after Season 2, his judicial experience is genuine, not just for television.
Is Judge Larry Bakman married?
Judge Larry Bakman is married, though he has not publicly shared his wife’s name. He is a father of four adult children—two sons and two daughters—including Brett Bakman and Paige Michelle. While he occasionally shares glimpses of family life on social media, he generally keeps details about his wife and children private.
Judge Larry Bakman's net worth
His net worth is generally estimated to be in the $2–3 million range, based on multiple sources. His income is earned through his legal career and television role on Hot Bench.
Did the Hot Bench judge die?
There is no credible evidence to support the rumour that a Hot Bench judge died of cancer. None of the current or former judges from the show, including Judge Larry Bakman, has been reported as deceased by reliable sources.
The phrase “Hot Bench judge dies of cancer” appears to be misinformation that has circulated online without a factual basis. All known judges from the series are alive, and any such claims should be treated with caution unless confirmed by reputable news outlets.
Trivia
- He is a criminal defence attorney and former television judge known for handling challenging cases.
- Served as one of the original judges on Hot Bench when the show premiered in 2014, bringing a strong legal background to the panel.
- Served as a Judge Pro Tem in both the Van Nuys and West Los Angeles Municipal Courts, gaining hands-on judicial experience.
- He is a U.S. Air Force veteran, bringing a disciplined and service-oriented perspective to his legal career.
- Earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law, where he built the foundation for his career in criminal defence.
- Admitted to practice in California, multiple federal district courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court, reflecting his broad legal qualifications.
While no longer on Hot Bench, Judge Bakman hasn’t stepped away from the law. For anyone still wondering, “What happened to Judge Larry Bakman from Hot Bench?”, he continues his work in the legal world beyond television.
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