Law & Order

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Dead bodies + courtroom drama = mature teens only.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the Law & Order franchise isn't designed for kids. The first half of each hour-long episode focuses on a violent crime, and the second half centers on the ensuing courtroom drama -- which may bore more action-oriented viewers.

  • The series offers a clear distinction between good and bad, according to the police/legal system. It highlights America's sophisticated legal system, and the sometimes tenuous relationship that exists between each of its agencies.
  • The cops are usually good guys, the perps are generally bad guys, and the court and juries can go either way. The officers, lawyers, judges, and the alleged criminals are from all walks of life.  
  • Plenty of shooting, guns, blood, and bodies, though not as graphic as on forensic shows like CSI.
  • No sex is shown, but sometimes the crimes involve sexual acts.

What's the story?

Part police procedural, part courtroom drama, the long-running series LAW & ORDER gets its story inspiration from real crimes. Detectives Joe Fontana (Dennis Farina) and Edward Green (Jesse L. Martin) lead the criminal investigations. Their supervisor is precinct lieutenant Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). In the second half of the show, the focus shifts to the criminal courts, as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Borgia (Annie Parisse) work within a complicated justice system to prosecute the accused under the guidance of District Attorney Arthur Branch (Fred Thompson).


Is it any good?

 

The show's "ripped from the headlines" mantra makes engaging -- but fictional -- drama. Key to the series' success is its first rate cast. Because of both the subject matter and the details of the courtroom procedures, this is not a show for kids.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the show's "ripped from the headlines" theme. How does a true crime change when it's scripted for television?


This review was written by Liz Perle
Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Teen, 16 years old
October 3, 2009
 
Good Show, Kids Won't Get It
Law and Order has a special place in my heart as being the "other" show on NBC. If it's prime time and you don't know what's coming on, guess Law and Order (or one of its affiliates). You'll be right 2/3 times. That asside, it's actually a pretty good show. The plot is always crazy, and you have to pay attention or you'll lose it. Becase of this, I wouldn't reccommend it to anyone under 12, just because they wouldn't be able to understand it.

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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
It's okay for older teens, some mature tweens
It is a great show!!! If you like Csi, cold case, criminal minds, then you would like this. Although, Svu is innapropriate

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Ok... let me explain my ratings
OK... it was better with Jerry Orbach as Detective Briscoe, but whatever. It's a fabulous show with good plots and climaxes, but lots of blood with the bodies, lots of guns, and sometimes the cops get rough with a suspect. And also, there is an underlying sexual act. (Nothing explicit, though.) The premise is good; people do bad things and they get punished. (Not always, though.) Good for older kids; younger kids may not understand the plot or the blood for effect.

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Kid, 11 years old
August 2, 2011
 
Awesome show!!!! (with some educational value)
Law and Order is a really great show. I watch it with my mom, and I find it to be awesome!!! It teaches you about how law basically works, so if you want to be a lawyer, it's perfect for you!

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Kid, 11 years old
November 29, 2011
 
Extreme dissaproval of this show
Consumerisim is there because my grandparents watch it A. LOT. Other than that, this show is crass. Really crass.

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Teen, 16 years old
April 27, 2012
 
The run down
This isn't the best show for young kids but it is a great show that explains what your job could be like as a cop.It explains what type of people do certain things that against the law .

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This review was written by Liz Perle
TV rating:TV-14
Network:NBC
Cast:Dennis Farina, Jesse L. Martin, Sam Waterston
Genre:Drama

This review was written by Liz Perle
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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