Parents' Guide to

Cold Justice

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Gritty police docuseries displays graphic images.

TV TNT Reality TV 2013
Cold Justice Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

Whispering
Whispering Adult
April 6, 2020
age 16+

Cold Justice justified

I would recommend this program whole heartedly!! The tempo of the show is easy to follow and professionally produced. You never see any inappropriate pictures. I am impressed with the dignity of content.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

COLD JUSTICE is a reality series that follows former prosecutor Kelly Siegler and former crime scene investigator Yolanda McClary as they help law enforcement officials solve cold cases across the country. The two travel to small American towns, most of which lacked the resources to run DNA tests or other forensic techniques to solve difficult cases. Looking for clues that were missed or omitted during original investigations, Siegler and McClary review files, return to crime scenes, and re-interview witnesses and others who are potentially connected to the case. DNA testing and other forensic evidence is collected when possible. Their hard work often leads to new evidence that can be taken to a grand jury for an indictment, and then presented at trial. There's no guarantee that cases will be solved, but ultimately, their work brings some closure to the victims' families.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Cold Justice, which is produced by Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, paints a thorough picture of how criminal investigations are conducted. It shows how old-fashioned investigative work can lead to breakthroughs in cases that never had a chance to get off the ground. It also underscores how, unlike entertainment television, intricate and frustratingly long the process is.

Despite attempts to add drama using crime scene photos, replays of previous interviews, and other elements, the pace of the show is a bit slow thanks to the meticulous work the investigators are doing. The details surrounding the crimes discussed are highly disturbing, but crime drama fans mature enough to handle it will definitely find it interesting.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the difference between the way the media portrays police investigations, and the way cases are solved in real life. Why do these investigations seem more exciting in movies and on TV?

  • Do reality shows like this one teach people how the criminal justice system works? Is it necessary to show violent images or offer so many details about violent crimes in order to show how the system works, even if they are true?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate