Mills Lane

[CGM]

Surely you need some qualifications to do that . Hes been a ref a judge and a boxer. Fair play to the guy

I'm not sure what you are saying. That he wasn't a tv judge? Well, he was.

Do you need qualifications to be a tv judge? I dunno. Is Judge Judy qualified? This is entertainment remember, not the law.

Sure fairplay. Whatever. Like I said I imagine the money was pretty good.

You dont need any qualifications to be a TV judge; but, Mill's Lane was a real Judge.

Here he is in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJZdnlTUlww

Judge Miils Lane was a tv show. This is "real" judging? Looks like Judge Judy to me.

It is documented that he did serve as a real county prosecutor and a deputy sheriff , though.

[CGM]

People keep trying to tell me, here and in PMs, that the guy was a real judge. I want one person to provide one shred of evidence that Mills Lane was ever a judge in any capacity other than the tv show Judge Mills Lane that aired from 1998-2001. Any evidence at all, other than the mistake that is printed in the wiki article, and I will stand corrected.

[Wayne]

You don't need to be a real judge to be a TV judge. You have to have some sort of degree in law, though. Judge Maybeline, the one who used to do Divorce Court, was only an esquire. Her judgments were really only recommendations that other judges would either sign off on, considering her as an arbitrator.

[bradlee180]

From late-1998 to 2001, Mills Lane's tv series, "Judge Mills Lane" was on the air, and it was all small-claims stuff.

From 1991 to mid-1998 however, Mills Lane was the real deal; he was the Nevada District Court Judge. Mills was the big man. Two terms.
Not small claims at that level; that's sentencing murderers there.
And Mills put away a lot of people.
He was even approached about running for Governor during that period.

Boxing programs in the early 90's, LONG BEFORE the tv series ever happened, would occasionally make mention that Referee Mills Lane was a Nevada District Judge; they'd show clips of him in the court-room.

Before becoming District Judge in 1991, Mills was the DA (District Attorney) in Reno from 1983 to 1991.

Before that, a prosecutor during the 70's.

Referees don't get paid much money y'know, even for a big fight.
$600, $800.
Basically all these referees on tv work day-jobs.

In mid-1998, Lane was 60 years old, had just stepped down as Nevada District Judge after two terms, and began the small-claims lightweight "Judge Mills Lane" tv series.
At 60 years old, maybe Mills had enough of dealing with the absolute worst segment of society on a daily basis for a few decades.
Deal with minor grievances in a televised small-claims court instead.


Here's a New York Times article about Mills from July, 1997 BEFORE the tv series of 1998:

No-Nonsense Judge And Tough Guy, Fight Ref Mills Lane Takes No Guff - New York Times

Recent article about Mills and his 2002 stroke:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10991963


EDIT:
Here's Mills' Pro boxing record from Boxrec:
Mills Lane

[CGM]

From late-1998 to 2001, Mills Lane's tv series, "Judge Mills Lane" was on the air, and it was all small-claims stuff.

From 1991 to mid-1998 however, Mills Lane was the real deal; he was the Nevada District Court Judge. Mills was the big man. Two terms.
Not small claims at that level; that's sentencing murderers there.
And Mills put away a lot of people.
He was even approached about running for Governor during that period.

Boxing programs in the early 90's, LONG BEFORE the tv series ever happened, would occasionally make mention that Referee Mills Lane was a Nevada District Judge; they'd show clips of him in the court-room.

Before becoming District Judge in 1991, Mills was the DA (District Attorney) in Reno from 1983 to 1991.

Before that, a prosecutor during the 70's.

Referees don't get paid much money y'know, even for a big fight.
$600, $800.
Basically all these referees on tv work day-jobs.

In mid-1998, Lane was 60 years old, had just stepped down as Nevada District Judge after two terms, and began the small-claims lightweight "Judge Mills Lane" tv series.
At 60 years old, maybe Mills had enough of dealing with the absolute worst segment of society on a daily basis for a few decades.
Deal with minor grievances in a televised small-claims court instead.


Here's a New York Times article about Mills from July, 1997 BEFORE the tv series of 1998:

No-Nonsense Judge And Tough Guy, Fight Ref Mills Lane Takes No Guff - New York Times

Recent article about Mills and his 2002 stroke:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10991963


EDIT:
Here's Mills' Pro boxing record from Boxrec:
Mills Lane

OK man. The 1997 NY times article makes it quite clear. I stand corrected. Good Job!

[Spicoli]

My all time Favorite.Told it exactly like it was and took no guff.Played it straight.He and Mitch Halpren two of the best.Mitch never gave himself a chance to realize his peak.Sad indeed.