Ep 101. As Is Junk; Family Money Pit

As Is Junk; Family Money Pit is the first episode of season one of Judge Faith. In this episode, Judge Faith Jenkins presides over two cases involving family disputes and contracts.

The first case involves a woman named Kevia who purchased a car from her cousin's boyfriend, James. Kevia claims that the car was advertised as being in good condition, but as soon as she drove it off the lot, it began to have problems. Kevia says that James refused to take the car back or fix it, and she is now stuck with a useless vehicle. James, on the other hand, says that he sold the car "as is" and that Kevia knew the risks of buying a used car. Judge Faith must determine whether James was dishonest in his advertising or if Kevia should have done more due diligence before purchasing the car.

The second case involves a family dispute over a home repair "money pit." A mother and daughter, Cheryl and Carnita, hired a contractor named Lamar to fix their roof, but the job quickly escalated into a full-scale renovation. Cheryl and Carnita claim that Lamar took advantage of them by charging them exorbitant fees and performing unnecessary work. Lamar, however, says that he did everything to code and that the family approved all the work he did. Judge Faith must determine whether Lamar acted ethically and whether Cheryl and Carnita really needed all the work they claim was done.

Throughout both cases, Judge Faith brings her legal expertise and common sense to bear. She asks probing questions of all the parties involved, eliciting details that help her make informed and fair decisions. She also brings her own perspective as a young, Black woman to bear, demonstrating that she is not only a legal expert but a savvy commentator on social issues.

The cases in this episode show the complexity of legal disputes and the difficulties of navigating family relationships. In each situation, Judge Faith must balance legal responsibilities with the emotional bonds between the parties involved. As Is Junk; Family Money Pit lays the foundation for a compelling and thoughtful season of Judge Faith.