Jesse Ward for New York Daily News
Brooklyn Judge Patricia DiMango is looking forward to going to Los Angeles and working with Judge Judy on ‘Hot Bench.’
There were a few tears and many warm wishes as Justice Patricia DiMango took the bench for the last time Friday as a real – not a TV – judge.
The popular and often-entertaining jurist bade an emotional farewell to the Brooklyn courthouse – where she spent over 30 years, rising to the top judicial spot – as she got set to embark on a career in Hollywood.
“I love this job,” DiMango told the Daily News. “I love Brooklyn. I love the lawyers. I love the courthouse.”
But, as she remarked to the still-small audience in her 17th floor courtroom, it’s “on to bigger and better things.”
DiMango (pictured) will star in “Hot Bench” — syndicated by CBS and created by Judge Judy Sheindlin.
The court show is slated to debut in the fall.
“I’m really looking forward to go to LA and do ‘Hot Bench;’ to work with Judge Judy and start this new exhilarating, exciting adventure,” she said.
DiMango started her legal career in 1980 as a prosecutor. She then served as a law clerk for three judges before getting appointed to the bench in 1995. She became the administrative judge for Brooklyn Supreme Court at the start of this year, but is stepping down after getting the big-bucks TV gig last month.
She will officially retire at the end of March. Her replacement has not been announced.
On her final day, lawyers wished her luck, court personnel stopped by to pose for photos and the judge seemed sentimental.
“It’s a privilege to be in front of you, today,” assistant district attorney Matthew Stewart told her at one point.
DiMango grabbed a tissue and wiped away tears.
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“She’s extraordinarily well-liked by all of the players in the courthouse,” said defense lawyer Alan Rosenberg, who argued before DiMango at both her first and final day as a judge. “I think she’ll be better than Judge Judy.”
The soon-to-be TV personality gained a reputation for her no-nonsense approach and ability to facilitate plea deals. Unlike other judges, she would frequently speak directly to defendants and audience members.
In her new job, by contrast, she told those in attendance, “I won’t be able to see you but you’ll be able to see me.”
DiMango’s very last case involved Terrence Johnson who applied for a certificate of relief to allow him to get certain jobs and licenses despite a felony drug conviction.
The judge was satisfied that he works and is doing well. She promptly signed the document and sent him off with an instruction she had given to countless defendants before.
“Stay out of trouble,” she said.
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