Can a judge order the plantiff to pay the court costs of the defense in frivolous lawsuits such as this?
“...order the plantiff to pay the court costs of the defense in frivolous lawsuits...”
This should always be the case - plantiff should have to post bond, to be held in escrow, to pay for defense when plantiff looses.
Generally no, unless it can be shown without a doubt that the suit was intended solely to harass the defendant. As long as there is anything resembling a real claim (no matter how ridiculous), each side will pay their own fees.