Guides · 24 terms

Legal Terms Explained Through Episodes

The legal ideas that decide cases on these shows, each explained in a sentence or two and paired with the episodes where it comes up, from Miranda warnings to felony murder.

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Miranda warnings 22 episodes

Before questioning someone in custody, police must say they can stay silent and have a lawyer. Statements taken without the warning can be kept from the jury.

Criminal Minds S5E8 “Outfoxed” (2009)
Law & Order S3E7 “Self-Defense” (1992)
Law & Order S4E14 “Censure” (1994)
Law & Order S5E3 “Blue Bamboo” (1994)
Law & Order S6E8 “Angel” (1995)
Law & Order S6E10 “Remand” (1996)
Law & Order S7E6 “Double Blind” (1996)
Law & Order S8E3 “Navy Blues” (1997)
Law & Order S13E19 “Seer” (2003)
Law & Order S14E10 “Ill-Conceived” (2003)
Law & Order S15E15 “Obsession” (2005)
Law & Order S22E7 “Only the Lonely” (2022)

10 more episodes

Law & Order S23E4 “Unintended Consequences” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S1E16 “The Third Guy” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E20 “Pique” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S6E9 “Weak” (2004)
Law & Order: SVU S10E14 “Transitions” (2009)
Law & Order: SVU S10E20 “Crush” (2009)
Law & Order: SVU S11E23 “Wannabe” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S12E7 “Trophy” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S13E13 “Father's Shadow” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S13E15 “Hunting Ground” (2012)

Right to counsel 40 episodes

Once a suspect in custody clearly asks for a lawyer, police must stop questioning. A confession taken after that request can be thrown out.

Criminal Minds S1E12 “What Fresh Hell?” (2006)
Criminal Minds S2E3 “The Perfect Storm” (2006)
Law & Order S3E12 “Right to Counsel” (1993)
Law & Order S8E24 “Monster” (1998)
Law & Order S11E20 “All My Children” (2001)
Law & Order S12E11 “The Collar” (2002)
Law & Order S15E11 “Fixed” (2004)
Law & Order S15E17 “License to Kill” (2005)
Law & Order S16E6 “Birthright” (2005)
Law & Order S16E8 “New York Minute” (2005)
Law & Order S17E8 “Release” (2006)
Law & Order S19E15 “Bailout” (2009)

28 more episodes

Law & Order S21E3 “Filtered Life” (2022)
Law & Order S22E11 “Second Chance” (2023)
Law & Order S22E12 “Almost Famous” (2023)
Law & Order S23E12 “No Good Deed” (2024)
Law & Order S24E14 “A Price to Pay” (2025)
Law & Order S24E22 “Look the Other Way” (2025)
Law & Order S25E9 “Snowflakes (Part 1)” (2026)
Law & Order S25E13 “New Normal” (2026)
Law & Order S25E19 “Accidentally Like a Martyr” (2026)
Law & Order S26E2 “Into the Mystic” (2026)
Law & Order S26E3 “Bad News” (2026)
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent S1E7 “The Sound of Silence” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S2E5 “Baby Killer” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E12 “Secrets” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E3 “Stolen” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E6 “Redemption” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E22 “Competence” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S14E22 “Poisoned Motive” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S14E23 “Brief Interlude” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S17E1 “Devil's Dissections” (2015)
Law & Order: SVU S23E6 “The Five Hundredth Episode” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S24E1 “Gimme Shelter – Part Two” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S24E18 “Bubble Wrap” (2023)
Law & Order: SVU S27E1 “In the Wind” (2025)
Law & Order: SVU S27E8 “Showdown” (2025)
Law & Order: SVU S27E18 “Gimmick” (2026)
Law & Order: SVU S28E2 “Midway” (2026)
Marshals S1E6 “Out of the Shadows” (2026)

Suppression of evidence 118 episodes

Evidence found through an illegal search or seizure can be excluded from trial, even when it proves guilt.

Criminal Minds S1E12 “What Fresh Hell?” (2006)
Law & Order S2E4 “Asylum” (1991)
Law & Order S2E16 “Vengeance” (1992)
Law & Order S2E20 “Intolerance” (1992)
Law & Order S3E3 “Forgiveness” (1992)
Law & Order S3E7 “Self-Defense” (1992)
Law & Order S3E13 “Night and Fog” (1993)
Law & Order S3E16 “Jurisdiction” (1993)
Law & Order S3E19 “Virus” (1993)
Law & Order S3E22 “Benevolence” (1993)
Law & Order S4E5 “Black Tie” (1993)
Law & Order S4E14 “Censure” (1994)

106 more episodes

Law & Order S4E21 “Doubles” (1994)
Law & Order S5E5 “White Rabbit” (1994)
Law & Order S5E10 “House Counsel” (1995)
Law & Order S5E11 “Guardian” (1995)
Law & Order S5E16 “Wannabe” (1995)
Law & Order S6E3 “Savages” (1995)
Law & Order S6E6 “Paranoia” (1995)
Law & Order S6E9 “Blood Libel” (1996)
Law & Order S6E10 “Remand” (1996)
Law & Order S6E17 “Deceit” (1996)
Law & Order S6E22 “Homesick” (1996)
Law & Order S7E1 “Causa Mortis” (1996)
Law & Order S7E2 “I.D.” (1996)
Law & Order S7E4 “Survivor” (1996)
Law & Order S7E6 “Double Blind” (1996)
Law & Order S7E12 “Barter” (1997)
Law & Order S7E13 “Matrimony” (1997)
Law & Order S7E20 “We Like Mike” (1997)
Law & Order S8E2 “Denial” (1997)
Law & Order S8E8 “Shadow” (1997)
Law & Order S8E9 “Burned” (1997)
Law & Order S8E12 “Expert” (1998)
Law & Order S8E13 “Castoff” (1998)
Law & Order S8E17 “Carrier” (1998)
Law & Order S8E19 “Disappeared” (1998)
Law & Order S8E23 “Tabloid” (1998)
Law & Order S9E1 “Cherished” (1998)
Law & Order S9E3 “Bait” (1998)
Law & Order S9E8 “Punk” (1998)
Law & Order S9E10 “Hate” (1999)
Law & Order S10E2 “Killerz” (1999)
Law & Order S10E6 “Marathon” (1999)
Law & Order S11E3 “Dissonance” (2000)
Law & Order S11E7 “Amends” (2000)
Law & Order S11E9 “Hubris” (2001)
Law & Order S11E22 “School Daze” (2001)
Law & Order S13E5 “The Ring” (2002)
Law & Order S13E10 “Mother's Day” (2003)
Law & Order S13E19 “Seer” (2003)
Law & Order S14E1 “Bodies” (2003)
Law & Order S14E4 “Shrunk” (2003)
Law & Order S14E9 “Compassion” (2003)
Law & Order S14E10 “Ill-Conceived” (2003)
Law & Order S14E12 “Payback” (2004)
Law & Order S14E14 “City Hall” (2004)
Law & Order S14E21 “Vendetta” (2004)
Law & Order S15E14 “Fluency” (2005)
Law & Order S15E20 “Tombstone” (2005)
Law & Order S15E21 “Publish and Perish” (2005)
Law & Order S16E10 “Acid” (2005)
Law & Order S16E16 “Cost of Capital” (2006)
Law & Order S17E4 “Fear America” (2006)
Law & Order S17E7 “In Vino Veritas” (2006)
Law & Order S18E2 “Darkness” (2008)
Law & Order S18E4 “Bottomless” (2008)
Law & Order S18E10 “Tango” (2008)
Law & Order S18E16 “Strike” (2008)
Law & Order S19E6 “Sweetie” (2008)
Law & Order S19E9 “By Perjury” (2009)
Law & Order S19E13 “Crimebusters” (2009)
Law & Order S19E18 “Promote This!” (2009)
Law & Order S20E19 “Crashers” (2010)
Law & Order S21E8 “Severance” (2022)
Law & Order S21E9 “The Great Pretender” (2022)
Law & Order S22E3 “Camouflage” (2022)
Law & Order S22E4 “Benefit of the Doubt” (2022)
Law & Order S22E7 “Only the Lonely” (2022)
Law & Order S22E12 “Almost Famous” (2023)
Law & Order S22E16 “Deadline” (2023)
Law & Order S22E20 “Class Retreat” (2023)
Law & Order S23E2 “Human Innovations” (2024)
Law & Order S23E7 “Balance of Power” (2024)
Law & Order S23E9 “Family Ties” (2024)
Law & Order S23E10 “Inconvenient Truth” (2024)
Law & Order S23E11 “Castle in the Sky” (2024)
Law & Order S23E12 “No Good Deed” (2024)
Law & Order S24E2 “The Perfect Man” (2024)
Law & Order S24E5 “Report Card” (2024)
Law & Order S24E6 “Time Will Tell” (2024)
Law & Order S24E7 “Truth and Consequences” (2024)
Law & Order S24E13 “In God We Trust” (2025)
Law & Order S24E21 “Tough Love” (2025)
Law & Order S24E22 “Look the Other Way” (2025)
Law & Order S25E2 “Hindsight” (2025)
Law & Order S25E3 “White Lies” (2025)
Law & Order S25E12 “Never Say Goodbye” (2026)
Law & Order S25E17 “Beyond Measure” (2026)
Law & Order S25E19 “Accidentally Like a Martyr” (2026)
Law & Order S25E21 “Liberty” (2026)
Law & Order: SVU S1E16 “The Third Guy” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E20 “Pique” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E18 “Guilt” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S3E20 “Greed” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S5E24 “Poison” (2004)
Law & Order: SVU S7E8 “Starved” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S7E11 “Alien” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S7E18 “Venom” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S8E1 “Informed” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S8E4 “Uncle” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S9E13 “Unorthodox” (2008)
Law & Order: SVU S11E2 “Sugar” (2009)
Law & Order: SVU S11E23 “Wannabe” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S20E4 “Revenge” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S27E21 “Monster” (2026)
Law & Order: SVU S28E2 “Midway” (2026)
Marshals S2E2 “End of Watch” (2026)

Inevitable discovery 4 episodes

An exception to the exclusionary rule: tainted evidence can come in if prosecutors show police would have found it lawfully anyway.

Law & Order S5E13 “Rage” (1995)
Law & Order S8E13 “Castoff” (1998)
Law & Order S14E21 “Vendetta” (2004)
Law & Order S16E18 “Thinking Makes It So” (2006)

Brady material 4 episodes

Prosecutors must give the defense evidence that favors the defendant, including anything that undercuts their own witnesses. Hiding it can overturn a conviction.

Law & Order S7E17 “Showtime” (1997)
Law & Order S16E20 “Kingmaker” (2006)
Law & Order S19E13 “Crimebusters” (2009)
Law & Order S25E14 “Remedies” (2026)

Hearsay and dying declarations 16 episodes

A witness usually cannot repeat what someone else said out of court to prove it is true. Exceptions include a dying person’s last words about who attacked them.

Law & Order S6E1 “Bitter Fruit” (1995)
Law & Order S6E20 “Girlfriends” (1996)
Law & Order S11E15 “Swept Away” (2001)
Law & Order S12E11 “The Collar” (2002)
Law & Order S13E21 “House Calls” (2003)
Law & Order S17E14 “Church” (2007)
Law & Order S22E21 “Appraisal” (2023)
Law & Order: SVU S1E6 “Sophomore Jinx” (1999)
Law & Order: SVU S2E2 “Honor” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E7 “Asunder” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S8E11 “Burned” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S8E18 “Responsible” (2007)

4 more episodes

Law & Order: SVU S11E1 “Unstable” (2009)
Law & Order: SVU S11E16 “Witness” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S23E9 “People vs. Richard Wheatley” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S26E1 “Fractured” (2024)

Spousal privilege 21 episodes

A spouse cannot be made to reveal confidential communications from the marriage. In federal court, a spouse can also refuse to testify against the other at all.

Law & Order S2E16 “Vengeance” (1992)
Law & Order S3E5 “Wedded Bliss” (1992)
Law & Order S6E17 “Deceit” (1996)
Law & Order S11E3 “Dissonance” (2000)
Law & Order S11E17 “Ego” (2001)
Law & Order S13E13 “Absentia” (2003)
Law & Order S15E7 “Gov Love” (2004)
Law & Order S16E16 “Cost of Capital” (2006)
Law & Order S19E22 “The Drowned and the Saved” (2009)
Law & Order S20E20 “The Taxman Cometh” (2010)
Law & Order S21E7 “Legacy” (2022)
Law & Order S22E5 “12 Seconds” (2022)

9 more episodes

Law & Order S25E7 “Guardian” (2025)
Law & Order S25E12 “Never Say Goodbye” (2026)
Law & Order: SVU S2E3 “Closure: Part 2” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S3E20 “Greed” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S7E8 “Starved” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S14E12 “Criminal Hatred” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S16E8 “Spousal Privilege” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S20E1 “Man Up” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S20E20 “The Good Girl” (2019)

Attorney-client privilege 6 episodes

What a client tells a lawyer to get legal advice stays confidential. It does not cover plans to commit a future crime.

Law & Order S5E10 “House Counsel” (1995)
Law & Order S7E22 “Past Imperfect” (1997)
Law & Order S8E16 “Divorce” (1998)
Law & Order S10E5 “Justice” (1999)
Law & Order S12E15 “Access Nation” (2002)
Law & Order S15E21 “Publish and Perish” (2005)

Doctor-patient and therapist privilege 4 episodes

Medical and therapy records are confidential, but a therapist may have a duty to warn when a patient threatens a specific person.

Law & Order S7E12 “Barter” (1997)
Law & Order S11E17 “Ego” (2001)
Law & Order S19E19 “All New” (2009)
Law & Order S25E2 “Hindsight” (2025)

Grand jury 109 episodes

A panel of citizens that hears the prosecution’s evidence in secret and decides whether to indict. In New York, a felony case needs its indictment unless the defendant waives it.

Law & Order S1E8 “Poison Ivy” (1990)
Law & Order S1E10 “Prisoner of Love” (1990)
Law & Order S1E11 “Out of the Half-Light” (1990)
Law & Order S1E13 “A Death in the Family” (1991)
Law & Order S2E1 “Confession” (1991)
Law & Order S2E19 “The Fertile Fields” (1992)
Law & Order S3E15 “Mother Love” (1993)
Law & Order S3E22 “Benevolence” (1993)
Law & Order S4E19 “Sanctuary” (1994)
Law & Order S5E6 “Competence” (1994)
Law & Order S6E2 “Rebels” (1995)
Law & Order S6E17 “Deceit” (1996)

97 more episodes

Law & Order S7E3 “Good Girl” (1996)
Law & Order S7E11 “Menace” (1997)
Law & Order S7E18 “Mad Dog” (1997)
Law & Order S8E6 “Baby, It's You” (1997)
Law & Order S8E10 “Ritual” (1997)
Law & Order S8E14 “Grief” (1998)
Law & Order S9E3 “Bait” (1998)
Law & Order S9E4 “Flight” (1998)
Law & Order S9E14 “Sideshow” (1999)
Law & Order S9E20 “Empire” (1999)
Law & Order S9E23 “Refuge, Part 1” (1999)
Law & Order S10E7 “Patsy” (1999)
Law & Order S12E5 “Possession” (2001)
Law & Order S12E6 “Formerly Famous” (2001)
Law & Order S12E11 “The Collar” (2002)
Law & Order S13E3 “True Crime” (2002)
Law & Order S13E9 “The Wheel” (2002)
Law & Order S14E16 “Can I Get a Witness?” (2004)
Law & Order S14E19 “Nowhere Man” (2004)
Law & Order S15E12 “Mammon” (2005)
Law & Order S16E2 “Flaw” (2005)
Law & Order S16E22 “Invaders” (2006)
Law & Order S17E10 “Corner Office” (2006)
Law & Order S17E15 “Melting Pot” (2007)
Law & Order S17E19 “Fallout” (2007)
Law & Order S18E5 “Driven” (2008)
Law & Order S18E7 “Quit Claim” (2008)
Law & Order S18E8 “Illegal” (2008)
Law & Order S18E12 “Submission” (2008)
Law & Order S19E5 “Knock Off” (2008)
Law & Order S19E8 “Chattel” (2009)
Law & Order S19E22 “The Drowned and the Saved” (2009)
Law & Order S20E1 “Memo from the Dark Side” (2009)
Law & Order S20E10 “Shotgun” (2009)
Law & Order S20E14 “Boy on Fire” (2010)
Law & Order S20E23 “Rubber Room” (2010)
Law & Order S22E21 “Appraisal” (2023)
Law & Order S23E9 “Family Ties” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S1E2 “A Single Life” (1999)
Law & Order: SVU S1E6 “Sophomore Jinx” (1999)
Law & Order: SVU S2E1 “Wrong Is Right” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E7 “Asunder” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E8 “Taken” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E10 “Consent” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S2E12 “Secrets” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E1 “Repression” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E18 “Guilt” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S4E8 “Waste” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S4E12 “Risk” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S4E18 “Desperate” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S5E16 “Home” (2004)
Law & Order: SVU S5E22 “Painless” (2004)
Law & Order: SVU S6E2 “Debt” (2004)
Law & Order: SVU S6E8 “Doubt” (2004)
Law & Order: SVU S6E16 “Ghost” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S6E20 “Night” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S6E21 “Blood” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S6E23 “Goliath” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S7E8 “Starved” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S7E16 “Gone” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S8E14 “Dependent” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S10E1 “Trials” (2008)
Law & Order: SVU S11E16 “Witness” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S13E2 “Personal Fouls” (2011)
Law & Order: SVU S13E12 “Official Story” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S14E2 “Above Suspicion” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S14E3 “Twenty-Five Acts” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S14E8 “Lessons Learned” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S14E16 “Funny Valentine” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S14E20 “Girl Dishonored” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S15E8 “Military Justice” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S15E10 “Psycho/Therapist” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S15E11 “Amaro's One-Eighty” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S15E21 “Post-Mortem Blues” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S16E11 “Agent Provocateur” (2015)
Law & Order: SVU S17E5 “Community Policing” (2015)
Law & Order: SVU S17E18 “Unholiest Alliance” (2016)
Law & Order: SVU S17E21 “Assaulting Reality” (2016)
Law & Order: SVU S17E22 “Intersecting Lives” (2016)
Law & Order: SVU S17E23 “Heartfelt Passages” (2016)
Law & Order: SVU S18E21 “Sanctuary” (2017)
Law & Order: SVU S19E11 “Flight Risk” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S19E18 “Service” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S20E17 “Missing” (2019)
Law & Order: SVU S20E19 “Dearly Beloved” (2019)
Law & Order: SVU S21E15 “Swimming with the Sharks” (2020)
Law & Order: SVU S21E18 “Garland's Baptism by Fire” (2020)
Law & Order: SVU S22E1 “Guardians and Gladiators” (2020)
Law & Order: SVU S23E1 “And the Empire Strikes Back” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S23E3 “I Thought You Were on My Side” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S23E14 “Video Killed the Radio Star” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S24E5 “Breakwater” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S24E8 “A Better Person” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S25E13 “Duty to Hope” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S26E7 “Tenfold” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S27E1 “In the Wind” (2025)
Law & Order: SVU S27E12 “Hubris” (2026)

Immunity 75 episodes

A promise not to prosecute a witness, or not to use their testimony against them, in exchange for testimony against someone else. Diplomats can also claim immunity from prosecution.

Criminal Minds S1E21 “Secrets and Lies” (2006)
Criminal Minds S4E17 “Demonology” (2009)
Law & Order S1E6 “Everybody's Favorite Bagman” (1990)
Law & Order S1E19 “The Serpent's Tooth” (1991)
Law & Order S2E1 “Confession” (1991)
Law & Order S2E19 “The Fertile Fields” (1992)
Law & Order S3E10 “Consultation” (1992)
Law & Order S3E22 “Benevolence” (1993)
Law & Order S4E8 “American Dream” (1993)
Law & Order S5E9 “Scoundrels” (1994)
Law & Order S5E10 “House Counsel” (1995)
Law & Order S5E14 “Performance” (1995)

63 more episodes

Law & Order S5E16 “Wannabe” (1995)
Law & Order S6E2 “Rebels” (1995)
Law & Order S6E3 “Savages” (1995)
Law & Order S6E17 “Deceit” (1996)
Law & Order S7E8 “Family Business” (1996)
Law & Order S7E12 “Barter” (1997)
Law & Order S7E19 “Double Down” (1997)
Law & Order S7E20 “We Like Mike” (1997)
Law & Order S8E2 “Denial” (1997)
Law & Order S9E2 “DWB” (1998)
Law & Order S9E8 “Punk” (1998)
Law & Order S9E14 “Sideshow” (1999)
Law & Order S10E22 “High & Low” (2000)
Law & Order S10E24 “Vaya Con Dios” (2000)
Law & Order S11E19 “Whiplash” (2001)
Law & Order S12E6 “Formerly Famous” (2001)
Law & Order S12E23 “Oxymoron” (2002)
Law & Order S13E9 “The Wheel” (2002)
Law & Order S13E13 “Absentia” (2003)
Law & Order S14E15 “Veteran's Day” (2004)
Law & Order S14E19 “Nowhere Man” (2004)
Law & Order S14E20 “Everybody Loves Raimondo's” (2004)
Law & Order S15E8 “Cry Wolf” (2004)
Law & Order S15E10 “Enemy” (2004)
Law & Order S15E14 “Fluency” (2005)
Law & Order S15E20 “Tombstone” (2005)
Law & Order S16E6 “Birthright” (2005)
Law & Order S16E12 “Family Friend” (2006)
Law & Order S17E2 “Avatar” (2006)
Law & Order S18E1 “Called Home” (2008)
Law & Order S19E5 “Knock Off” (2008)
Law & Order S20E12 “Blackmail” (2010)
Law & Order S21E4 “Fault Lines” (2022)
Law & Order S21E9 “The Great Pretender” (2022)
Law & Order S21E10 “Black and Blue” (2022)
Law & Order S22E1 “Gimme Shelter – Part Three” (2022)
Law & Order S22E18 “Collateral Damage” (2023)
Law & Order S23E4 “Unintended Consequences” (2024)
Law & Order S23E9 “Family Ties” (2024)
Law & Order S24E14 “A Price to Pay” (2025)
Law & Order S25E5 “Bend the Knee” (2025)
Law & Order S25E19 “Accidentally Like a Martyr” (2026)
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent S1E6 “Minnow and the Shark” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S1E9 “Stocks & Bondage” (1999)
Law & Order: SVU S1E13 “Disrobed” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E2 “Honor” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S2E14 “Paranoia” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S2E19 “Parasites” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E1 “Repression” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S4E11 “Damaged” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S7E6 “Raw” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S7E20 “Fat” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S7E21 “Web” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S11E22 “Ace” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S12E7 “Trophy” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S13E1 “Scorched Earth” (2011)
Law & Order: SVU S14E2 “Above Suspicion” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S16E7 “Chicago Crossover” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S16E19 “Granting Immunity” (2015)
Law & Order: SVU S18E10 “Motherly Love” (2017)
Law & Order: SVU S20E17 “Missing” (2019)
Law & Order: SVU S22E1 “Guardians and Gladiators” (2020)
Law & Order: SVU S24E2 “The One You Feed” (2022)

Plea allocution 23 episodes

When a defendant pleads guilty, they usually must admit in open court what they did. The admission can later be used against others.

Law & Order S3E12 “Right to Counsel” (1993)
Law & Order S4E14 “Censure” (1994)
Law & Order S5E16 “Wannabe” (1995)
Law & Order S6E21 “Pro Se” (1996)
Law & Order S7E22 “Past Imperfect” (1997)
Law & Order S9E21 “Ambitious” (1999)
Law & Order S10E9 “Sundown” (1999)
Law & Order S10E15 “Fools for Love” (2000)
Law & Order S11E17 “Ego” (2001)
Law & Order S13E1 “American Jihad” (2002)
Law & Order S13E14 “Star Crossed” (2003)
Law & Order S14E12 “Payback” (2004)

11 more episodes

Law & Order S15E23 “In God We Trust” (2005)
Law & Order S16E1 “Red Ball” (2005)
Law & Order S17E18 “Bling” (2007)
Law & Order S17E20 “Captive” (2007)
Law & Order S19E4 “Falling” (2008)
Law & Order S24E7 “Truth and Consequences” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S7E6 “Raw” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S11E19 “Conned” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S12E5 “Wet” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S12E23 “Delinquent” (2011)
Law & Order: SVU S18E2 “Making a Rapist” (2016)

Felony murder 22 episodes

A killing during a serious felony like robbery or burglary can be murder for every participant, even one who never meant anyone to die.

Law & Order S3E10 “Consultation” (1992)
Law & Order S4E7 “Apocrypha” (1993)
Law & Order S5E6 “Competence” (1994)
Law & Order S6E14 “Custody” (1996)
Law & Order S9E6 “Scrambled” (1998)
Law & Order S13E17 “Genius” (2003)
Law & Order S15E23 “In God We Trust” (2005)
Law & Order S17E8 “Release” (2006)
Law & Order S19E3 “Lost Boys” (2008)
Law & Order S20E10 “Shotgun” (2009)
Law & Order S21E3 “Filtered Life” (2022)
Law & Order S22E9 “The System” (2022)

10 more episodes

Law & Order S22E18 “Collateral Damage” (2023)
Law & Order S24E20 “Sins of the Father” (2025)
Law & Order: SVU S4E9 “Juvenile” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S11E16 “Witness” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S11E24 “Shattered” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S14E4 “Acceptable Loss” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S17E11 “Townhouse Incident” (2016)
Law & Order: SVU S21E19 “Solving for the Unknowns” (2020)
Law & Order: SVU S23E8 “Nightmares in Drill City” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S26E17 “Accomplice Liability” (2025)

Depraved indifference 12 episodes

Murder by conduct so reckless toward human life that it counts as murder even without intent to kill.

Law & Order S1E9 “Indifference” (1990)
Law & Order S5E9 “Scoundrels” (1994)
Law & Order S6E21 “Pro Se” (1996)
Law & Order S6E22 “Homesick” (1996)
Law & Order S9E16 “Harm” (1999)
Law & Order S13E21 “House Calls” (2003)
Law & Order S15E24 “Locomotion” (2005)
Law & Order S17E6 “Profiteer” (2006)
Law & Order S19E20 “Exchange” (2009)
Law & Order S20E8 “Doped” (2009)
Law & Order S21E5 “Free Speech” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S1E11 “Bad Blood” (2000)

Double jeopardy 20 episodes

No one can be tried twice for the same crime after an acquittal or conviction. Separate charges, or a federal case, may still be possible.

Law & Order S1E15 “The Torrents of Greed: Part 1” (1991)
Law & Order S1E16 “The Torrents of Greed: Part 2” (1991)
Law & Order S3E18 “Animal Instinct” (1993)
Law & Order S6E1 “Bitter Fruit” (1995)
Law & Order S6E4 “Jeopardy” (1995)
Law & Order S6E15 “Encore” (1996)
Law & Order S7E2 “I.D.” (1996)
Law & Order S10E19 “Surrender Dorothy” (2000)
Law & Order S12E3 “For Love or Money” (2001)
Law & Order S13E2 “Shangri-La” (2002)
Law & Order S13E23 “Couples” (2003)
Law & Order S14E16 “Can I Get a Witness?” (2004)

8 more episodes

Law & Order S14E24 “C.O.D.” (2004)
Law & Order S17E16 “Murder Book” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S1E7 “Uncivilized” (1999)
Law & Order: SVU S5E9 “Control” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S8E21 “Pretend” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S9E1 “Alternate” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S11E4 “Hammered” (2009)
Law & Order: SVU S12E12 “Possessed” (2011)

Statute of limitations 21 episodes

A deadline for bringing charges. In New York, murder has none, but many other crimes do.

Criminal Minds S2E12 “Profiler, Profiled” (2006)
Law & Order S2E15 “Trust” (1992)
Law & Order S4E15 “Kids” (1994)
Law & Order S5E20 “Bad Faith” (1995)
Law & Order S9E19 “Tabula Rasa” (1999)
Law & Order S13E24 “Smoke” (2003)
Law & Order S15E19 “Sects” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S1E14 “Limitations” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S3E18 “Guilt” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S5E5 “Serendipity” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S8E3 “Recall” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S12E3 “Behave” (2010)

9 more episodes

Law & Order: SVU S12E6 “Branded” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S13E2 “Personal Fouls” (2011)
Law & Order: SVU S14E8 “Lessons Learned” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S16E3 “Producer's Backend” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S19E3 “Contrapasso” (2017)
Law & Order: SVU S22E6 “The Long Arm of the Witness” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S23E6 “The Five Hundredth Episode” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S23E13 “If I Knew Then What I Know Now” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S26E2 “Excavation” (2024)

Competency to stand trial 7 episodes

A defendant who cannot understand the proceedings or help their lawyer cannot be tried until they are found competent.

Law & Order S4E20 “Nurture” (1994)
Law & Order S13E1 “American Jihad” (2002)
Law & Order S14E6 “Identity” (2003)
Law & Order S17E17 “Good Faith” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S19E10 “Pathological” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S22E14 “Post-Graduate Psychopath” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S28E2 “Midway” (2026)

Mistrial 76 episodes

A trial ended before a verdict, because of a hung jury or a serious error. Prosecutors can usually try the case again.

Criminal Minds S5E3 “Reckoner” (2009)
Law & Order S2E1 “Confession” (1991)
Law & Order S2E5 “God Bless the Child” (1991)
Law & Order S2E9 “Renunciation” (1991)
Law & Order S2E18 “Cradle to Grave” (1992)
Law & Order S2E20 “Intolerance” (1992)
Law & Order S4E7 “Apocrypha” (1993)
Law & Order S4E15 “Kids” (1994)
Law & Order S4E19 “Sanctuary” (1994)
Law & Order S5E23 “Pride” (1995)
Law & Order S6E9 “Blood Libel” (1996)
Law & Order S6E11 “Corpus Delicti” (1996)

64 more episodes

Law & Order S6E14 “Custody” (1996)
Law & Order S6E22 “Homesick” (1996)
Law & Order S7E2 “I.D.” (1996)
Law & Order S7E8 “Family Business” (1996)
Law & Order S8E5 “Nullification” (1997)
Law & Order S8E21 “Bad Girl” (1998)
Law & Order S9E23 “Refuge, Part 1” (1999)
Law & Order S10E7 “Patsy” (1999)
Law & Order S10E22 “High & Low” (2000)
Law & Order S11E9 “Hubris” (2001)
Law & Order S12E1 “Who Let the Dogs Out?” (2001)
Law & Order S12E12 “Undercovered” (2002)
Law & Order S12E22 “Attorney Client” (2002)
Law & Order S14E15 “Veteran's Day” (2004)
Law & Order S15E3 “The Brotherhood” (2004)
Law & Order S15E7 “Gov Love” (2004)
Law & Order S15E22 “Sport of Kings” (2005)
Law & Order S16E4 “Age of Innocence” (2005)
Law & Order S17E13 “Talking Points” (2007)
Law & Order S18E1 “Called Home” (2008)
Law & Order S18E13 “Angelgrove” (2008)
Law & Order S18E15 “Bogeyman” (2008)
Law & Order S19E18 “Promote This!” (2009)
Law & Order S20E2 “Just a Girl in the World” (2009)
Law & Order S20E4 “Reality Bites” (2009)
Law & Order S20E15 “Brilliant Disguise” (2010)
Law & Order S21E1 “The Right Thing” (2022)
Law & Order S21E9 “The Great Pretender” (2022)
Law & Order S25E12 “Never Say Goodbye” (2026)
Law & Order S25E19 “Accidentally Like a Martyr” (2026)
Law & Order S25E21 “Liberty” (2026)
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent S2E5 “Face Value” (2025)
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent S3E3 “Uncertain Justice” (2026)
Law & Order: SVU S2E3 “Closure: Part 2” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S4E18 “Desperate” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S5E9 “Control” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S6E3 “Obscene” (2004)
Law & Order: SVU S7E11 “Alien” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S7E12 “Infected” (2006)
Law & Order: SVU S8E22 “Screwed” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S9E5 “Harm” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S9E7 “Blinded” (2007)
Law & Order: SVU S9E18 “Trade” (2008)
Law & Order: SVU S10E10 “Smut” (2008)
Law & Order: SVU S10E21 “Liberties” (2009)
Law & Order: SVU S11E4 “Hammered” (2009)
Law & Order: SVU S13E18 “Valentine's Day” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S14E24 “Her Negotiation” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S15E1 “Surrender Benson” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S15E8 “Military Justice” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S15E15 “Comic Perversion” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S15E18 “Criminal Stories” (2014)
Law & Order: SVU S17E9 “Depravity Standard” (2015)
Law & Order: SVU S19E10 “Pathological” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S19E14 “Chasing Demons” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S23E9 “People vs. Richard Wheatley” (2021)
Law & Order: SVU S23E16 “Sorry If It Got Weird for You” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S24E3 “Mirror Effect” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S24E9 “And a Trauma in a Pear Tree” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S25E10 “Combat Fatigue” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S26E15 “Undertow” (2025)
Law & Order: SVU S26E19 “Play with Fire Part 2” (2025)
Law & Order: SVU S27E8 “Showdown” (2025)
Law & Order: SVU S28E1 “Volition” (2026)

Jury selection and Batson challenges 4 episodes

Lawyers can strike some jurors without giving a reason, but not because of race or sex.

Law & Order S4E11 “Golden Years” (1994)
Law & Order S14E22 “Gaijin” (2004)
Law & Order S25E21 “Liberty” (2026)
Law & Order: SVU S2E2 “Honor” (2000)

Hate crime charges 24 episodes

A crime in which the victim is chosen because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or another protected trait carries a heavier sentence.

Law & Order S9E2 “DWB” (1998)
Law & Order S11E13 “Phobia” (2001)
Law & Order S12E10 “Prejudice” (2001)
Law & Order S15E1 “Paradigm” (2004)
Law & Order S15E23 “In God We Trust” (2005)
Law & Order S17E4 “Fear America” (2006)
Law & Order S17E7 “In Vino Veritas” (2006)
Law & Order S19E18 “Promote This!” (2009)
Law & Order S20E16 “Innocence” (2010)
Law & Order S22E3 “Camouflage” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S7E11 “Alien” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S10E1 “Trials” (2008)

12 more episodes

Law & Order: SVU S13E14 “Home Invasions” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S13E21 “Learning Curve” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S14E12 “Criminal Hatred” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S17E3 “Transgender Bridge” (2015)
Law & Order: SVU S18E6 “Broken Rhymes” (2016)
Law & Order: SVU S18E20 “American Dream” (2017)
Law & Order: SVU S20E10 “Alta Kockers” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S20E23 “Assumptions” (2019)
Law & Order: SVU S23E10 “Silent Night, Hateful Night” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S23E13 “If I Knew Then What I Know Now” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S23E15 “Promising Young Gentlemen” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S25E8 “Third Man Syndrome” (2024)

Material witness 13 episodes

A court can order a witness held to make sure they testify, when there is reason to think they will flee.

Law & Order S3E17 “Conduct Unbecoming” (1993)
Law & Order S8E11 “Under the Influence” (1998)
Law & Order S9E22 “Admissions” (1999)
Law & Order S11E15 “Swept Away” (2001)
Law & Order S12E10 “Prejudice” (2001)
Law & Order S15E13 “Ain't No Love” (2005)
Law & Order S18E7 “Quit Claim” (2008)
Law & Order S19E8 “Chattel” (2009)
Law & Order S22E12 “Almost Famous” (2023)
Law & Order: SVU S1E14 “Limitations” (2000)
Law & Order: SVU S13E12 “Official Story” (2012)
Law & Order: SVU S18E20 “American Dream” (2017)

1 more episodes

Law & Order: SVU S27E1 “In the Wind” (2025)

Extradition 22 episodes

The legal process for returning a suspect from another state or country to face charges.

Law & Order S2E16 “Vengeance” (1992)
Law & Order S3E13 “Night and Fog” (1993)
Law & Order S7E15 “D-Girl” (1997)
Law & Order S7E16 “Turnaround” (1997)
Law & Order S9E5 “Agony” (1998)
Law & Order S9E9 “True North” (1998)
Law & Order S10E8 “Blood Money” (1999)
Law & Order S11E5 “Return” (2000)
Law & Order S12E4 “Soldier of Fortune” (2001)
Law & Order S14E20 “Everybody Loves Raimondo's” (2004)
Law & Order S14E22 “Gaijin” (2004)
Law & Order S17E19 “Fallout” (2007)

10 more episodes

Law & Order S18E6 “Political Animal” (2008)
Law & Order S19E3 “Lost Boys” (2008)
Law & Order S22E1 “Gimme Shelter – Part Three” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S2E18 “Manhunt” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S6E18 “Pure” (2005)
Law & Order: SVU S9E12 “Signature” (2008)
Law & Order: SVU S14E18 “Legitimate Rape” (2013)
Law & Order: SVU S19E9 “Gone Baby Gone” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S26E3 “Divide & Conquer” (2024)
Law & Order: SVU S26E21 “Aperture” (2025)

The death penalty 39 episodes

New York restored the death penalty in 1995. Its highest court found the law unconstitutional in 2004, and no one was executed under it. Federal cases can still carry a death sentence.

Criminal Minds S3E4 “Children of the Dark” (2007)
Law & Order S2E16 “Vengeance” (1992)
Law & Order S5E12 “Progeny” (1995)
Law & Order S6E3 “Savages” (1995)
Law & Order S6E13 “Charm City” (1996)
Law & Order S6E15 “Encore” (1996)
Law & Order S6E23 “Aftershock” (1996)
Law & Order S7E1 “Causa Mortis” (1996)
Law & Order S7E17 “Showtime” (1997)
Law & Order S7E19 “Double Down” (1997)
Law & Order S7E23 “Terminal” (1997)
Law & Order S8E19 “Disappeared” (1998)

27 more episodes

Law & Order S8E21 “Bad Girl” (1998)
Law & Order S9E3 “Bait” (1998)
Law & Order S9E5 “Agony” (1998)
Law & Order S9E9 “True North” (1998)
Law & Order S10E5 “Justice” (1999)
Law & Order S10E17 “Black, White and Blue” (2000)
Law & Order S11E4 “Standoff” (2000)
Law & Order S11E6 “Burn Baby Burn” (2000)
Law & Order S11E12 “Teenage Wasteland” (2001)
Law & Order S13E4 “Tragedy on Rye” (2002)
Law & Order S13E8 “Asterisk” (2002)
Law & Order S14E1 “Bodies” (2003)
Law & Order S17E9 “Deadlock” (2006)
Law & Order S18E1 “Called Home” (2008)
Law & Order S18E9 “Executioner” (2008)
Law & Order S20E17 “Four Cops Shot” (2010)
Law & Order S22E3 “Camouflage” (2022)
Law & Order: SVU S1E8 “Stalked” (1999)
Law & Order: SVU S2E15 “Countdown” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S2E16 “Runaway” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S2E21 “Scourge” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S3E15 “Execution” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S4E1 “Chameleon” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S4E11 “Damaged” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S4E19 “Appearances” (2003)
Law & Order: SVU S11E22 “Ace” (2010)
Law & Order: SVU S23E7 “They'd Already Disappeared” (2021)

Habeas corpus 7 episodes

A petition asking a court to rule that someone is being held unlawfully, often used to challenge an old conviction.

Law & Order S7E18 “Mad Dog” (1997)
Law & Order S9E24 “Refuge, Part 2” (1999)
Law & Order S11E16 “Bronx Cheer” (2001)
Law & Order: SVU S4E5 “Disappearing Acts” (2002)
Law & Order: SVU S16E21 “Perverted Justice” (2015)
Law & Order: SVU S20E3 “Zero Tolerance” (2018)
Law & Order: SVU S21E4 “The Burden of Our Choices” (2019)

Short, general explanations of how these rules work on the shows and in New York, not legal advice. Episodes are listed when their recap mentions the term. How these summaries are written.