Sonia Montejano, Bailiff

Biography

Sonia Montejano, best known as “Officer Montejano,” serves as the bailiff on CBS Media Ventures’ Emmy-nominated syndicated court show HOT BENCH, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. Now in its 10^th season, HOT BENCH is the #1syndicated court show in original production, averaging nearly two million viewers. It ranks in the top 10 first-run shows in all of syndication, and delivers the sixth most loyal audience in syndication, with 26% of its audience watching the show at least three times a week.

A Mexico native, Montejano grew up in Los Angeles and attended California State University Los Angeles before moving into a career in law enforcement. It was Montejano’s desire to have a positive effect on gender equality coupled with her strong sense of justice that led her to this decision. At the age of 21, she graduated from Rio Hondo Police Academy and began her law enforcement career with the Los Angeles County Marshal’s Department (which later merged with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department). In 2006, after nearly 20 years on the force, she retired from the LASD as Senior Deputy where she promoted and performed various duties in the enforcement of civil judgements and courthouse operations. It was during her tenure at the Beverly Hills Courthouse that she became involved in celebrity criminal trials, including those of actress Winona Ryder and singer Courtney Love.

In 2006, producers of “Judge Joe Brown” noticed her at those trials and offered her the position of bailiff on the syndicated show, where she remained until the show ended its run in 2013. She has been the bailiff on HOT BENCH since the show premiered in 2014.

In her spare time, Montejano enjoys photography, baking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle by emphasizing outdoor activities, including jogging, hiking, roller skating and mountain biking. She is also active in historic preservation and has hands-on experience in home restoration.

Montejano has enjoyed speaking with children of all ages at various schools on the importance of education and has spent time promoting literature by reading to young students. She has also taught courses on manners to inspire confidence in young people to achieve their goals.

Montejano is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and is presently learning French to enhance her travels. She remains an avid chess player, photographer, and traveler. Her appreciation of the arts led her to be a flamenco dancer for 10 years. She continues to pursue her music lessons with the harp and piano.

HOT BENCH is an Emmy-nominated syndicated court show, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin and executive produced by David Theodosopoulos. Belinda Jackson and James Glover are co-executive producers. Yodit Tewolde, Rachel Juarez and Michael Corriero comprise the three-judge panel. HOT BENCH is produced by Big Ticket Pictures and Queen Bee Productions. It is distributed by CBS Media Ventures.

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Elevate Communications

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