Joseph Wapner is a retired American judge, lawyer and television personality. Born Joseph William Wapner in Brooklyn, New York, he attended New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, and was a star athlete in football, track and field, and wrestling. In 1953 he was named captain of the New York City College All-Star football team, which was made up of players from New York City's colleges. He went on to play for the Miami Redskins in the National Football League (NFL). He did not start his career as a lawyer (he did not enter law school until he was 24) but instead became an accomplished trial attorney. From 1954 to 1964 he served as an Assistant District Attorney for Los Angeles County, California
He also acted as Chief Prosecutor in the landmark Manson trial of 1969. In 1969 Wapner became a judge on the Los Angeles Municipal Court. In 1972 he began hosting Court TV, which aired his own courtroom series "Judge Joe Brown" from 1989 to 1993.
He also hosted NBC's daytime show "Wapner" from 1986 to 1988. In 1975 Judge Wapner founded and later served as president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and later chaired the West Coast Chapter of that organization. He received many awards and honors throughout his career including an honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon; among others: Big Brothers/Big Sisters Award; American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award; The Jurisprudence Alumni Award at Northwestern University School of Law; The Order of Merit of the Republic of Austria; French Legion of Honor; National Academy Award; Los Angeles Lawyer's Medal; American Jewish Committee Man of Merit Award; UCLA Distinguished Alumni Award; The Order of Orange-Nassau Medal for public service by the Dutch government; The Fatherhood Award by Boy Scouts of America; honorary degrees from Hofstra University, Long Island University, Adelphi University, Drew University, California State University at Northridge, Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University.
In 1978 Wapner moved to Florida where he became an Assistant U.S. Attorney General under Edwin Meese III. In 1980 he was appointed by John Chafee to serve on the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights under Chairman Leon Panetta. Wapner is currently Vice-Chairman Emeritus on the board of trustees at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks
I'm trying to demystify the whole process. Make it simple, make it palatable. I want people to have respect for the law, and I want to educate people on the basics of the law.Joseph Wapner
When I was on the bench, I used to have a yellow pad, and I put on the pad at the beginning of the day, 'patience' and 'restraint.'Joseph Wapner
Judges should decide legal disputes. Judges should not make law.Joseph Wapner
