Bailiff
Petri Hawkins Byrd serves as a Bailiff on Amazon Freevee’s Tribunal Justice, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. Previously, Hawkins Byrd (“Byrd”) was the bailiff on the Emmy®Award-winning Judge Judy for the entire 25 year run of the series, which was the #1 program in first-run syndication for 12 consecutive seasons.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Hawkins Byrd (“Byrd”) received his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1989. During this time, Byrd worked as a court officer in the Brooklyn Family Court system. In 1986, he was transferred to the Manhattan Family Court system, where he worked on a rotating basis with all the judges, including Judge Judith Sheindlin
Bailiff
Petri Hawkins Byrd serves as a Bailiff on Amazon Freevee’s Tribunal Justice, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. Previously, Hawkins Byrd (“Byrd”) was the bailiff on the Emmy®Award-winning Judge Judy for the entire 25 year run of the series, which was the #1 program in first-run syndication for 12 consecutive seasons.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Hawkins Byrd (“Byrd”) received his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1989. During this time, Byrd worked as a court officer in the Brooklyn Family Court system. In 1986, he was transferred to the Manhattan Family Court system, where he worked on a rotating basis with all the judges, including Judge Judith Sheindlin. “I was never bored in her courtroom,” he said. “Her get-to-the-point style didn’t always sit well with the litigants, and there were times she was definitely glad to have me around.”
In 1990, Byrd relocated to San Mateo, Calif., to serve as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshall. Three years later, he accepted an offer to work as a student counselor at Monta Vista High School in Santa Clara, Calif. After reading a story about Judge Sheindlin’s new book and upcoming television show in a 1995 Liz Smith column, Byrd decided to send a letter congratulating the judge, and jokingly asked if she would be interested in having him serve at her side again. To his surprise, Judge Sheindlin returned Byrd’s letter with a phone call and offered him the job.
Byrd has appeared numerous times on stage as a stand-up comedian and actor. Most recently he guest starred in “Law and Order SVU,” “The Bold and The Beautiful,” and “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.” His other credits also include “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Nash Bridges” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” He has also acted in other films and commercials, as well as provided voiceover work for radio, television and video games. Byrd’s success has also made him a sought-after motivational speaker.
Currently, Byrd has teamed up with his wife Makita Bond-Byrd for the You Tube show, “Bonding With Byrd” to connect with friends and fans.
In his spare time, he sings, writes music and poetry.
