INTRODUCTION
Let’s be honest, we all love a good legal drama.
Whether it’s watching Harvey Spectre take down a corporate villain in Suits,[1] or a desi courtroom scene with a judge banging the gavel, yelling “Order! Order!”.[2] There’s something seriously thrilling about seeing justice unfold on screen.
But have you ever thought about how these shows and movies affect the way we perceive the real justice system? It turns out, they influence us more than we realise.[3]
Legal dramas do more than entertain. They shape public opinion. They shape our views on lawyers, courts, and justice. Sometimes it may be positive, and sometimes it may not.[4]
Some points included in this are:
- THEY MAKE LAW FEEL “REACHABLE”
For most people, the legal world is a mystery. We don’t deal with lawyers every day. Courtrooms? Never stepped in one. But then comes a legal drama, and suddenly the world of objections, cross-examinations, and final verdicts becomes… exciting?[5]These shows take something complex and make it watchable. They teach us terms like “bail,” “evidence,” “hearsay”, stuff we’d probably never learn otherwise.[6] They give us a sense that law isn’t just for lawyers in black coats, it’s for all of us.[7]And honestly, that’s a good thing.[8]
- HEROES, VILLAINS, AND THE DRAMA OF JUSTICE
In legal dramas, the lawyer is often the hero, fighting against the system, defending the innocent, and exposing corruption.
Think about Amitabh Bachchan in Pink, defending women’s rights with powerful monologues.[9] Or Jolly LLB, where a small-town lawyer takes on the rich and powerful.[10] These stories leave an impression. They make us believe that justice is possible, even when everything seems stacked against you.
But here’s the catch: real life isn’t always so dramatic or clear. Sometimes the “good guys” lose. Sometimes the law fails. And not every lawyer gets a chance to deliver an emotional courtroom speech that saves the day.[11] Still, these portrayals give people hope, and sometimes, that’s enough to keep believing in justice.[12]
- THE MYTH OF SPEEDY JUSTICE
In films, trials are often depicted as swift and dramatic—an arrest takes place, court proceedings begin the next day, and a verdict is delivered shortly thereafter. However, in reality, the legal process is significantly more intricate and time-consuming.[13]
A single case can take years, sometimes decades. Documents, hearings, delays, appeals, it’s a long, tiring process.[14]
The problem is, after watching speedy trials in movies and shows, people start expecting the same thing in reality. And when the system doesn’t match up, frustration grows. They lose patience. Some even lose faith in the courts. Legal dramas create this false hope that justice is quick. Sadly, the real system is anything but.[15]
- TALKING ON BIG ISSUES
Legal dramas excel at sparking dialogue around serious social issues, such as sexual harassment, police brutality, corruption, domestic violence, and caste discrimination.[16]
They expose taboos in everyday living spaces and inspire discussions. This can lead to increased awareness and, potentially, to repeated action.[17] But the flip side?
They often oversimplify things.[18]
A show may wrap up a rape trial in 40 minutes, where everything is black and white. But real cases are rarely that simple. There are layers, technicalities, and grey areas that get left out.[19]
So, while dramas raise awareness, they don’t always give the full picture.[20]
- EXPOSING THE DARK SIDE OF THE SYSTEM
Some of the most impactful stories are those where the justice system fails. These stories highlight innocent people who are wrongfully imprisoned or powerful individuals who avoid punishment.[21]
These stories shake viewers. They force us to ask tough questions:
- Why does justice take so long?[22]
- Why are the poor treated differently?
- Can money buy freedom?
And these questions matter. They advocate for individuals to demand change, whether that be new legislation, police reform, or just holding elected officials accountable. So, yes, legal dramas can be a force for good when they uncover the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.[23]
- THE GLAMOUR OF THE LAWYER LIFE
Let’s admit it—TV lawyers look awesome.
Sleek suits, fast cars, high-rise offices, dramatic speeches. They make the law look glamorous. Everyone wants to be a Harvey Spectre or Annalise Keating.[24]
But the truth? Real-life lawyers are usually sitting in dusty courtrooms, sweating in black robes, drowning in paperwork. There’s more reading and waiting than drama and glamour.[25] Still, these portrayals do one great thing: they inspire. Many law students today were first drawn to the field because of something they saw in a movie or show.[26]
Just… don’t be shocked when real law isn’t as stylish as it looks on Netflix.[27]
- WHEN FICTION INFLUENCES REALITY
This one’s funny but true.
When people watch a lot of courtroom dramas, they sometimes expect that sort of courtroom drama in real life. People expect dramatic cross-examinations when they are witnesses. Clients want their lawyers to give emotional speeches like Sunny Deol in Damini (“Tarikh pe Tarek!”).[28]
Even lawyers sometimes get caught up trying to perform like their TV heroes. It just shows how powerful the media is. It doesn’t just reflect society, it shapes it.
- THE PROBLEM OF MEDIA TRIALS
One of the worst side effects of courtroom content is the rise of media trials.
When a legitimate criminal case gets notoriety, television discussions, YouTube videos, and social media start acting as judges themselves. Before the court even hears the issue, the public surmises who is guilty and who is not.[29] The actual legal process gets ignored. Public opinion takes over.[30]
This is dangerous. It affects the fairness of trials. It puts pressure on judges.[31] And sometimes, it ruins lives, especially when the accused turns out to be innocent.[32]
Legal dramas may not directly cause this, but they’ve played a role in creating a culture where everyone wants a verdict now, even without knowing the full facts.
- THEY STILL GIVE PEOPLE HOPE
Despite all the problems, we cannot ignore that legal dramas motivate people.
They show that the system can work. The law can be a weapon for the weak.[33] That truth matters. That justice isn’t just a normal word; it’s something we can fight for. [34]
For victims, survivors, or anyone who feels helpless, these stories offer something very real: hope.[35]
- WHAT CAN VIEWERS DO?
If you love legal dramas, keep watching. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying them. But also keep a few things in mind:
- Don’t assume everything you see on TV is legally correct.[36]
- Understand that real justice takes time and it’s often messy.[37]
- Be critical, especially during real-life cases. Resist the urge to make a snap judgment based on a movie or popular clip.[38]
- And last but not least, it’s worth remembering that the law is not about one single speech; it is about consistency, fact, and procedure.[39]
CONCLUSION
Legal dramas are much bigger than stories. They tell how we feel about justice, truth, and fairness. They make the law exciting. They make us ask questions. They make us care.[40]
But they also come with responsibility. Writers should aim for Fact, and not just on how to add masala, to get a few views on it.[41] And we, as viewers, should also watch it with our minds open and not trust any information with a closed mindset.[42]
Justice isn’t always what we see. But if legal dramas help in a way that people get motivated to demand a better, fairer system, then maybe, they’re going in the right direction.[43]
Author(s) Name: Pulkit Mittal (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)
References:
[1] Suits (Universal Cable Productions, 2011–2019).
[2] Jolly LLB (Fox Star Studios, 2013).
[3] Michael Asimow, ‘Popular Culture and the Adversary System’ (1991) 40 Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review 653.
[4] Kimberly Kessler Ferzan, ‘The Influence of Legal Dramas on Public Perception’ (2007) 45 American Journal of Legal Culture 201.
[5] Rebecca Johnson and Ruth Buchanan, ‘Getting the Insider’s Story Out: What Popular Film Can Tell Us about Legal Method’s Dirty Secrets’ (2001) 20 Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice 87.
[6] Asimov M, ‘Bad Lawyers in the Movies’ (2000) 24 Nova Law Review 533.
[7] David A Harris, ‘The Appearance of Justice: Court TV, Conventional Television, and Public Understanding of the Criminal Justice System’ (1994) 35 Arizona Law Review 785.
[8] Michael Asimow, ‘When Lawyers Were Heroes’ (1994) 30 University of San Francisco Law Review 1131.
[9] Pink (Rashmi Sharma Telefilms 2016).
[10] Jolly LLB (Fox Star Studios, 2013).
[11] Jonathan Simon, ‘Entering the Legal Spectacle’ (1995) 25 Law and Society Review 873.
[12] Jessica Silbey, ‘What We Do When We Make Movies about the Law’ (2001) 29 Florida State University Law Review 187.
[13] Carrie Menkel-Meadow, ‘The “Law” in “Law and Order”’ (2001) 32 Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review 933.
[14] Marc Galanter, ‘Why the “Haves” Come Out Ahead: Speculations on the Limits of Legal Change’ (1974) 9 Law & Society Review 95.
[15] Richard K Sherwin, When Law Goes Pop: The Vanishing Line Between Law and Popular Culture (University of Chicago Press, 2000).
[16] Rebecca Johnson, ‘Narrative and “Truth” in Law and Literature: A Rape Trial in Film and Fiction’ (2004) 20 Canadian Journal of Law and Society 37.
[17] Kimberlianne Podlas, ‘Broadcasting the Myth of a Liberal Bias: The Persistence of Television’s Law and Order Frame’ (2006) 10 Cardozo Studies in Law and Literature 133.
[18] Michael Asimow, ‘Popular Culture and the Adversary System’ (1991) 40 Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review 653.
[19] Richard K Sherwin, When Law Goes Pop: The Vanishing Line Between Law and Popular Culture (University of Chicago Press, 2000).
[20] Jonathan Simon, ‘Entering the Legal Spectacle’ (1995) 25 Law and Society Review 873.
[21] Jessica Silbey, The Narrative of Innocence and the Promise of Justice (University of Chicago Press, 2014).
[22] Marc Galanter, ‘Why the “Haves” Come Out Ahead: Speculations on the Limits of Legal Change’ (1974) 9 Law & Society Review 95.
[23] Michael Asimow, ‘Bad Lawyers in the Movies’ (2000) 24 Nova Law Review 533.
[24] Suits (Universal Cable Productions 2011–2019); How to Get Away with Murder (ABC Studios 2014–2020).
[25] Rebecca Johnson and Ruth Buchanan, ‘Getting the Insider’s Story Out: What Popular Film Can Tell Us about Legal Method’s Dirty Secrets’ (2001) 20 Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice 87.
[26] Michael Asimow, ‘Popular Culture and the Adversary System’ (1991) 40 Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review 653.
[27] Richard K Sherwin, When Law Goes Pop: The Vanishing Line Between Law and Popular Culture (University of Chicago Press, 2000).
[28] Damini (Bollywood Films 1993).
[29] Kunal Ambati, ‘Media Trials and Presumption of Innocence’ (2019) 5 Indian Law Review 78.
[30] Aparna Chandra, ‘Trial by Media: Free Speech vs Fair Trial’ (2011) 23 National Law School of India Review 133.
[31] Abhinav Chandrachud, Due Process in India: Fair Trial and the Constitution (Oxford University Press 2020).
[32] Prashant Bhushan, ‘Presumption of Guilt: Media Trials in India’ (2010) 2 Economic and Political Weekly 10.
[33] Jessica Silbey, The Narrative of Innocence and the Promise of Justice (University of Chicago Press, 2014).
[34] Michael Asimow, ‘When Lawyers Were Heroes’ (1994) 30 University of San Francisco Law Review 1131.
[35] Rebecca Johnson and Ruth Buchanan, ‘Getting the Insider’s Story Out: What Popular Film Can Tell Us about Legal Method’s Dirty Secrets’ (2001) 20 Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice 87.
[36] Richard K Sherwin, When Law Goes Pop: The Vanishing Line Between Law and Popular Culture (University of Chicago Press, 2000).
[37] Marc Galanter, ‘Why the “Haves” Come Out Ahead: Speculations on the Limits of Legal Change’ (1974) 9 Law & Society Review 95.
[38] Aparna Chandra, ‘Trial by Media: Free Speech vs Fair Trial’ (2011) 23 National Law School of India Review 133.
[39] Michael Asimow, ‘Popular Culture and the Adversary System’ (1991) 40 Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review 653.
[40] Jessica Silbey, The Narrative of Innocence and the Promise of Justice (University of Chicago Press, 2014).
[41] Rebecca Johnson and Ruth Buchanan, ‘Getting the Insider’s Story Out: What Popular Film Can Tell Us about Legal Method’s Dirty Secrets’ (2001) 20 Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice 87.
[42] Richard K Sherwin, When Law Goes Pop: The Vanishing Line Between Law and Popular Culture (University of Chicago Press, 2000).
[43] Michael Asimow, ‘When Lawyers Were Heroes’ (1994) 30 University of San Francisco Law Review 1131.
