Criminal Trials Are Not Sporting Events. But Try Telling That to the Courtroom Circus

Criminal trials are supposed to be about justice. They’re meant to protect rights, uncover the truth, and apply the law. But in today’s world, they’re just another form of garbage entertainment for the lowest common denominator.

Nancy Grace and those circus clowns at Court TV figured out how to get rich by turning real human tragedy into soap opera trash. They don’t care about justice. They care about ratings, outrage, and keeping the blood flowing for the camera.

Then come the lawyers. Not the kind who care about their clients or the law. I’m talking about the fame-chasers. The ones who would rather be on camera than in a law library. Remember the Jodi Arias case? Both a prosecutor and a defense attorney ended up disgraced and disbarred. Why? Because when the lights go on, the dignity goes out.

These trials become media events. Think O.J. Simpson, Scott Peterson, Phil Spector, and now Karen Read. People line up for hours just to sit in the gallery. Some bring snacks. Others just want to say they were there. They’re not interested in truth. They’re looking for drama, blood, and scandal.

Reporters don’t help. They twist facts, repeat rumors, and stir the pot. They tamper with juries without ever setting foot in the courtroom. Judges tell jurors not to watch the news. And if you believe those jurors actually follow that rule, you probably believe in unicorns and honest politicians.

After fifty years in the justice system, I’ve learned one thing. When a case becomes famous, everyone misbehaves. Cops play games. Prosecutors grandstand. Some defense lawyers forget they’re not auditioning for a crime show. It stops being about law. It becomes about image.

And then we have the true crime fanatics. These people latch onto the prosecution’s story before opening arguments begin. They cheer for convictions like it’s a football game. To them, anyone charged must be guilty. Who needs a trial when you have a Reddit thread?

I have no problem with trials being shown on TV after they’re over. But live broadcasts ruin everything. Witnesses become actors. They adjust their stories to match what others say. It’s not testimony. It’s rehearsal.

The lowest moment? Reporters sticking microphones in the faces of clueless bystanders and asking what they think. Who gives a rat’s ass? These people don’t know the evidence. They’ve just memorized whatever garbage they saw on a TikTok video or heard in a bar.

Their opinions are worthless. And the fact that we pretend they matter says everything about what our justice system has become.

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