"Law & Order" gets a lot right, but it's guilty of getting some things wrong. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re dissecting the long-standing TV drama "Law & Order" to unpack what it nails and misses about the realities of the criminal justice system.
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00:00I've been through this circus before, when Julie disappeared.
00:03That's where you learned to lie?
00:04Welcome to Ms Mojo, and today we're dissecting the long-standing TV drama Law & Order to unpack
00:10what it nails and misses about the realities of the criminal justice system.
00:14Don't know whether to thank him or arrest him.
00:18Right. Adherence to legal protocol.
00:21Law & Order impressively captures the adherence to legal protocol within the criminal justice
00:26a step-by-step process that police and persecutors follow when handling cases.
00:30Who does he want to bring charges against?
00:32The resident in charge of the emergency room.
00:34Oh, come on, Max.
00:36People die in hospital emergency rooms every hour of every day.
00:40Now, that may indeed be tragic, but it is not criminal.
00:43From securing search warrants to Miranda rights,
00:46the program provides a largely accurate portrayal of the procedural diligence
00:49required in law enforcement and legal proceedings.
00:53Am I going to lose my license?
00:56That's not my decision, doctor.
00:59However, I will give you immunity from prosecution for conspiracy if you testify.
01:04This attention to detail helps demystify the legal process for viewers,
01:08emphasizing the importance of procedure and the rule of law in ensuring justice is served.
01:13By highlighting these protocols, it educates its audience on the foundational aspects of
01:18the criminal justice system, even if it simplifies complex procedures for storytelling clarity.
01:23Congratulations.
01:24Congratulations.
01:29How did you know?
01:31Wrong.
01:31Omniscience of the police.
01:33Law & Order often portrays its detectives as almost all-seeing and all-knowing,
01:38capable of piecing together case details with scant evidence.
01:42A couple minutes later, I'm crossing the street trying to close on a deal,
01:45and I hear these three shots, and I see some guy jumping into the backseat.
01:49Did you see his face?
01:50Nah, I saw him from behind.
01:52He was built regular, like a thousand other guys I know, but I got part of the play.
01:57In real-life law enforcement, investigations are seldom resolved with a single eureka moment,
02:02or by relying solely on the hunches of seasoned detectives.
02:05Real cases require extensive teamwork, with contributions from forensic analysts,
02:10crime scene investigators, and other specialists.
02:13Come on, let's cut the crap, huh, Johnny?
02:15The guy's dead.
02:16Your car was at the scene.
02:17Oh, you can prove that.
02:18This oversimplification can mislead viewers about the intricacies and challenges of police work,
02:24suggesting that cases are more straightforward than they truly are.
02:27While these portrayals add to the dramatic tension,
02:30they don't fully represent the painstaking and often collaborative nature
02:34of actual criminal investigations.
02:36These guys know OCCB's listening, and they're not gonna say anything useful.
02:40Well, if the bad guys didn't screw up every once in a while, the jails would be empty.
02:44Right. Moral quandaries of the justice system.
02:47One of the strengths of this legal drama is its exploration
02:50of the moral quandaries inherent in the justice system.
02:53You know, I don't have to talk to you.
02:55And even if I did have something to say, I wouldn't tell it to two city cops.
03:01Hey, didn't you learn anything from Mr. Rogers?
03:04Policeman's your best friend.
03:05Law & Order delves deep into the ethical dilemmas faced by prosecutors and defenders alike,
03:11from the complexities of plea bargains,
03:13to the challenges of ensuring a fair trial in the face of public opinion.
03:17And media scrutiny.
03:18That was just the warm-up. You wait till trial.
03:21Books will be in front of the camera every night.
03:23Can't do anything about that.
03:25These storylines reflect genuine debates within the legal profession
03:28about the balance between justice and the law,
03:31the protection of victims' rights versus the rights of the accused,
03:34and the potential for systemic bias.
03:36My client was entrapped.
03:38Your Miss Roney violated his due process rights.
03:41So now you're saying he committed the crime?
03:43We're not admitting to anything.
03:44But if you insist on prosecuting him, we are going to plead entrapment.
03:49Through these narratives,
03:50the show prompts viewers to consider the difficult choices
03:53and compromises legal professionals must navigate.
03:56Wrong.
03:57Depiction of legal outcomes.
03:59The series frequently suggests a level of conclusiveness
04:02and justice in legal outcomes that doesn't always align with reality.
04:06Look, I know what Joe is going through.
04:08I'm not going to help you put him in jail.
04:09The cases on TV often wrap up neatly,
04:12with clear verdicts and a sense of moral resolution.
04:14However, the real legal system is fraught with complexities and uncertainties.
04:19Many cases result in plea deals,
04:21are dismissed due to procedural issues,
04:23or end in verdicts that leave parties feeling unsatisfied.
04:26Mr. McCoy, it's over.
04:28There is no case here.
04:29There never was.
04:30How would you know?
04:31You made up your mind before you heard the first word of testimony.
04:34You're on thin ice, counselor.
04:35The depiction of consistently satisfactory resolutions
04:38can give audiences an overly optimistic view of the justice system's efficacy,
04:43overlooking the nuanced and sometimes unsatisfying reality of legal proceedings.
04:48The jury finds the defendant, Warren Abbott, not guilty.
04:51Right.
04:52Highlighting social and legal issues.
04:54Lauded for bringing social and legal issues to the forefront,
04:58Law & Order tackles topics like hate crimes,
05:00police brutality, and the rights of marginalized communities.
05:04I don't have to answer any of your questions.
05:06That's right.
05:07You have the right to remain silent.
05:08You also have the right to an attorney,
05:10because you're under arrest for the murder of Randall Chase.
05:13By weaving these contemporary issues into its plots,
05:16it serves as a platform for raising awareness
05:19and promoting discussion among its viewers.
05:21Mr. McCoy, how many of your brothers and sisters and friends attended college before you?
05:29Jerome had none.
05:32His brothers and sisters now have a role model.
05:35I'm sure he's innocent.
05:37This approach not only entertains,
05:38but also educates and engages the audience on important societal concerns,
05:43reflecting the role of law in addressing and adapting to changing social norms.
05:47I'd like to think I got where I am based on merit.
05:49So would I.
05:50But I've got 2,000 pages of legal documents to prove the contrary.
05:55If this kid walks because of this defense, it's going to have repercussions.
06:00It's laudable that Law & Order demonstrates the potential of the legal system
06:04to affect social change, albeit in a dramatized context.
06:08Wrong.
06:08Forensic science, speed, and reliability.
06:11Similar to criminal minds,
06:12Law & Order often misrepresents the speed and reliability of forensic science.
06:17It's Medill in forensics.
06:18It sometimes depicts forensic results as being available almost immediately
06:22and offering conclusive evidence that decisively influences the direction of a case.
06:27In reality, forensic testing can be a lengthy process,
06:30with results taking days, weeks, or even months.
06:33You see these straight lines along the inside of the barrel?
06:36Yeah, what are they? Scratches?
06:38After shooting up the park,
06:39your suspect rammed a metal file down the barrel to distort the rifling.
06:44Means the best I can do is a 50% match to the slugs of the victims.
06:48Additionally, while forensic evidence can be a powerful tool in investigations,
06:52it's not always as definitive as portrayed.
06:54The exaggeration of forensic science's capabilities
06:57and its impact on case resolutions can create unrealistic expectations
07:02about the nature and role of forensic evidence in the legal process.
07:06We'll have ballistics run it for a match.
07:09If we're off base, we'll apologize.
07:10Right.
07:11Complexity of victim and witness testimonies.
07:14Another thing done properly is the accurate portrayal of the complexity
07:17and challenges associated with victim and witness testimonies.
07:21How'd I end up in the corridor at the same time?
07:23Move these guys around, anything can happen.
07:26The series highlights how these testimonies can be affected by trauma,
07:30memory distortion, and the fear of retaliation.
07:33Underscoring the difficulty prosecutors face in relying on such evidence.
07:37This sheds light on the real world issues of working with vulnerable witnesses
07:41and the effects to protect and support them through the legal process.
07:45And the whole time he had this look on his face like, um, like it was a practical joke.
07:54Like it was nothing.
07:55By focusing on these challenges, Law & Order brings attention to the human element of legal
08:00proceedings, emphasizing the importance of sensitivity
08:03and support for those who come forward to share their experiences.
08:06If you allow the rule of law to stop at the wall of a prison,
08:13you've allowed it to stop everywhere.
08:17The streets of New York will be no better than the cell blocks of Rikers.
08:22Wrong.
08:23Constant high-stakes drama.
08:25While the high-stakes drama of each episode captivates viewers,
08:28it doesn't always represent the everyday reality of the legal profession.
08:32Who did this to her?
08:34Right now we don't know.
08:35But we think she may have gone to the movies with someone prior to the attack.
08:39Who?
08:40We don't know that either.
08:41Not all cases involve sensational crimes or headline-grabbing trials.
08:46Many legal battles are fought over seemingly mundane issues that,
08:49nonetheless, have significant impacts on the lives of those involved.
08:53She needs to tell us the truth right here, right now.
08:58This focus on dramatic cases can skew the audience perception of the legal field,
09:03suggesting that it's always about life-and-death situations or dramatic courtroom showdowns.
09:08In reality, the work of legal professionals often involves routine cases and procedural
09:13work that, while critical, lack the drama depicted on the small screen.
09:17Didn't you ask your lawyers eight months ago whether your company might be liable if
09:21someone were harmed as a result of your service?
09:23Objection!
09:24Conversations with counsel are privileged!
09:26Right.
09:27Diverse case types.
09:28The series does well in presenting a wide array of case types reflecting
09:32the broad spectrum of issues that can arise in the legal system.
09:36Police!
09:37I don't know nothing.
09:39Actually, we'll be the judge of that.
09:41I'm out of work as it is.
09:42I don't need trouble.
09:43We're here to prevent trouble, Mr, uh...
09:45Yates.
09:46From domestic disputes to corporate fraud,
09:48there's an extensive range of legal challenges covered,
09:51demonstrating the versatility and adaptability required of legal professionals.
09:56Then let's see if we can put an end to this proceeding ASAP.
09:59This is ridiculous!
10:00You're a witness.
10:01Your job to put them on the stand.
10:04This diversity in storytelling not only keeps things interesting,
10:07but also provides a more accurate depiction of the variety of cases
10:10handled by law enforcement and the courts.
10:13Law & Order offers viewers a comprehensive look
10:16at the multifaceted nature of the justice system.
10:19And that's important.
10:20Are you saying the American government killed Abby Sherman?
10:25Yes.
10:27That's exactly what I'm saying.
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10:45Wrong.
10:46Work-life balance of legal professionals.
10:48Lastly, Law & Order often portrays its legal professionals
10:52as completely consumed by their work,
10:53with little regard for work-life balance.
10:56Hey, I got something.
10:57This is from two weeks ago.
10:59You think I don't know where you live, Donna?
11:01You better be watching your back, Donna,
11:03because one day soon I'm coming up behind you.
11:05While the dedication of these characters is admirable,
11:08this portrayal can perpetuate the myth
11:10that successful legal careers require constant personal sacrifice.
11:14In reality, many legal professionals strive for
11:16and achieve a balance between their demanding careers and personal lives.
11:21You don't think that there might be something to Grimes's defense?
11:23People adapt to their environment in or out of prison.
11:26The show's depiction may dissuade potential future lawyers
11:28by suggesting an unrealistic expectation of work-life imbalance in the legal field.
11:33If I hadn't done what I did, Grimes was gonna walk.
11:36Why are you making me out to be the bad guy?
11:38Because you crossed the line, detective.
11:41What do you think Law & Order gets right or wrong?
11:44Sound off in the comments below.
11:46I'm a cop.
11:48I'm not the executioner.
11:51Neither am I.
11:53Do you agree with our picks?
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