How real is the law portrayed on television shows?

While the world of television is usually enlightening and fascinating, it is not often accurate or “real” in the sense of real life. Shows like “Law and Order Criminal Intent” make some of us want to sign up for the nearest law school classes so that we too, can solve cases and win verdicts in courts of law, all within an hour's time. However, that is not reality. Most people realize that television has the ability to captivate its audience and is required to reach an outcome or conclusion, all within the allotted and prescribed amount of air time given by the networks. In real life, cases are not tried in one hour usually, much less concluded from investigation, arrest, trial, verdict and sentencing within one hour. Remember that television shows are generally meant for entertainment, not a portrayal of dispensing real life criminal law.