Judge Maria Lopez is an American arbitration-based reality court show, presided over by Maria Lopez. On the show, guests themselves presented and argued small claims civil actions before the "judge". The half-hour series, produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Television Distribution, debuted in the United States and Canada on September 11, 2006. Prior to joining the series, Lopez was a judge in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ⁕ 2 Episodes are shown every weekday morning on Irish TV channel 3e Judge Maria Lopez debuted in the same week as another syndicated courtroom show featuring a Latina judge, Cristina's Court. In January 2007, Sony Pictures renewed the series for a second season despite being the lowest rated court show of the 2006-07 season, averaging a 0.9 rating. However, in February 2008 reports indicated that due to two seasons of low ratings, Sony Pictures Television Distribution was cancelling the series and the show ended September 5, 2008.