TV law shows- fair reflection of court system?

Question

Are shows such as Boston Legal and Shark a fair relfection of the court room? The two shows often make claims, such as "the court room is about a popularity contest, whoever sounds the best can wins", that basically say evidence is secondary to the ability of a lawyer to speak well. Is that true in real courts?

Answer 1

Absolutely NOT! Having sat through all sorts of trials, I can tell you that they are for the most part BORING, repetitive and evidence is much more important than "popularity". Most Judges will "stifle" a flamboyant, off-point lawyer any day of the week!

Answer 2

The TV shows crack me up -- If only it were that much fun! Lawsuits are long drawn out tedious matters that involve hours, and hours, and hours of sifting through paperwork, testimony, depositions, interrogatories, etc etc etc. The things you don't see on TV!

The court room is not a place where people win or lose based on their flamboyant style, but there is a certain "it" you have to have to win. Being able to tell the story, and win over the jury is important. If the jury thinks one or the attorneys is a blatant *** then they may lean toward the other side. The witnesses on the stand can also be tweaked to win over a jury as well.

Answer 3

I am a Criminal Justice student studying for my Masters. I just completed a 5 page paper on this. My results were that any media (although they are getting better) do not represent real life court or criminal justice issues. There is a BIG difference between due process, justice, and the pursuit of truth in real life. Remember that shows lilke Boston Legal, Law & Order are fake. Try watching Court TV or 48 Hours Mystery, etc.

Answer 4

No the lawyers on TV are better then the ones in real life I sat on a few trials and the lawyers are jerks they don't talk well they get confused and never get their client off. The DA in most cases has the judge in their back pocket. If the judge don't do what they want they file complaints against them. Yes it is true I have seen it happen. If you go to trail in Warren County NY you will loose and go to jail no matter what. The DA is mean and makes false charges against every body. This was told to me by a lawyer.

Answer 5

It doesn't, and now people are finally starting to see this conflict from a new perspective. the fact that the U.S. seems to be an unconditional "Friend of Israel" is absurd. We, of course will idly sit by unless WE have something to gain or lose, this conflict has been going on for decades, what could Palestinians have possibly done so differently this time, that would justify this? Nothing, but I will say that Israel is just following through with America's example of power and belief that bombing and killing many innocents is justified if we are targeting "terrorists". What is most shameful, is that of all groups Israel should be aware and sensitive of genocide, and that is exactly what is happening.

Answer 6

here is my opinion, the facts and evidence are essential in any case, but the lawyers ability to tell the story that goes with them will win or lose the stroy. remember that the lawyers have to convince 12 people that there side of the story is the right one.

So with that in mind yes who ever sounds the best will end up winning, most of the time.

Answer 7

Sadly it true.

Case in point OJ murder trail.

Law suit against Vioxx.

All lawyers have to do is create a good enough smoke screen and you can get away with anything up to and including murder.

There is 1 exception.
Tax invasion when you cross that line there is no hope for you.
Al Capone kill lots of people but he didn't pay his taxes and he went to jail for that.

Answer 8

Those shows are all dramatized; they take the basics and glamorize them so people will watch the shows. They are not an accurate depiction of the court system.