Courts are frequently a television drama platform; the scenes playing out in the courtroom have been around for decades. Legal proceedings in a natural court system are not TV-perfect. The details of television representation of the courtroom in this context will be discussed as a phenomenon different from reality and with other TV exercises that give either an inaccurate picture or a more accurate vision.
Television Portrayal of the Courtroom
Reality television is different from what occurs on television in many ways, but one of the most evident differences is drama and sentiment. At the same time, there is usually a lot of suspense, surprise, and heated emotional exchanges in TV courtroom scenes. This makes for entertaining TV fare, but the processes proceeding around courtroom life are much more detached and procedural. Proceedings also may be very long and complicated compared with simple yet fast actions we observe through the screen. The other standard error in the media is the portrayal of lawyers and judges. The way they are depicted on television, they appear glamorous, elegant, and witty.
Examples of Inaccurate TV Shows
Law & Order provides one of the most notorious examples of such a television series that contrives political trials in an inaccurate fashion (Nærland, 2020). At this point, it must be noted that many others along these lines are misleading people, and numerous courtrooms depicted in the media have rarely happened, as demonstrated on TV screens. A few notable instances can be mentioned in How to Get Away with Murder and Suits, which make the legal profession’s aesthetic and distorted image of courtroom procedures. All these show a deprivation of accuracy for entertainment and, therefore, manufacture an abnormal picture of the justice system, which may get misled regarding what goes on in legal case proceedings and can wrongly think about notions that generalize a complex essence: the law itself.
Realistic TV Shows
While most television series tend to sensationalize the courtroom proceedings in their dramatic show of justice, a few selective examples aim to present an actual portrayal of legal cases. Such a program as the “The Good Wife” is interesting not by some twists but by its faithful depiction of all legal nuances and well-rendered homage to real life. Another noteworthy instance is “The People v. O. J. Simpson: The highly acclaimed version “American Crime Story” for its dramatic and compelling portrayal of the events that transpired during the trial. The realism these television productions bring to the system helps refine the audience’s understanding of the courtroom and legalities.
Inaccuracies in Realistic TV Shows
Regardless of their dedicated efforts to portray the courtroom setting accurately, even carefully produced television shows sometimes need to be more accurate. For instance, The Good Wife received criticism from legal experts because the show portrayed specific legal procedures and strategies. While The People v. O. J. Simpson was praised for its general truthfulness, it also took specific creative license to boost the dramatic element. However, these blemishes notwithstanding, television series seek to capture the spirit of law, and lawyers recognize that, like every art form, there are times when factual truth takes a backseat to storytelling.
In conclusion, television usually depicts the courtroom differently than in its true sense. Some shows glamourize and overstate, while others work to portray affairs as they are. Nevertheless, even the most realistic programs may still need to be revised. These shows are entertaining but should not be mistaken for an accurate representation of the justice system.
References
Nærland, T. U. (2020). From pleasure to politics: Five functions of watching TV series for public connection. European Journal of Communication, 35(2), 93-107. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0267323119894481
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