judge shopping

or judge-shop·ping

[ juhj shop-ing ]

noun

, Law.

1. the act or practice of filing a lawsuit in a district where the case will be assigned to a judge who is likely to find in your favor: Compare forum shopping ( def ).

   The case was transferred to a district with multiple judges to avoid the perception of judge shopping.

Word History and Origins

Origin of judge shopping¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

While his ruling is only a temporary pause on the program, it should be noted that this entire ordeal is the latest example of what can be described as judge shopping.

From Salon

Such judge shopping, particularly in cases challenging abortion rights and immigration policy, has been drawing increasing scrutiny.

From New York Times

The process is known as judge shopping, and the committee that makes policy for the federal courts just moved to put an end to it.

From Los Angeles Times

Plowman also warned Davis’ attorney to be careful of “judge shopping,” a tactic that involves trying to cycle through judges on appeal until finding one that may agree to accept the plea.

From Washington Times

Notably, Trump's latest setback occurred notwithstanding his shameless "judge shopping" — Trump filed this suit in the Southern District of Florida, where four in five of the district court judges were appointed by him.

From Salon