Season 6, Episode 8: What Legal Dramas Get Wrong About Real Trials

What do legal dramas get completely wrong about the courtroom?

Karen Koehler, Mo Hamoudi, and Mike Todd take on Law and Order, The Wire, John Grisham movies, My Cousin Vinny, and even Drop Dead Diva to break down what Hollywood gets wildly wrong about real trials.

From surprise evidence waved in the air mid-cross to rogue police officers kicking down doors, they explain why real courtrooms are slower, more procedural, and far less dramatic than TV would have you believe.

At the same time, they also admit that Hollywood gets one thing very right.

Trials are about story.

Karen shares how watching courtroom dramas shaped her trial style, including a five-minute cross-examination using a paper cup and water to explain a spinal injury. Mo reflects on the moment a juror pulled him aside after a murder trial and said, “Your story made sense to me.” They talk about monotone lawyers, long-winded closings, and why reading PowerPoints to a jury is a fast way to lose.

If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a colleague who lives for courtroom scenes, and leave a review telling us your favorite legal drama.

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Hosted by Karen Koehler and Mo Hamoudi, trial lawyers at Stritmatter Law, a nationally recognized plaintiff personal injury and civil rights law firm based in Washington State.

Produced by Mike Todd, Audio & Video Engineer, and Kassie Slugić, Executive Producer.

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