Arrest and Trial

1963 - United States

Innovative US crime drama series which was almost two programmes in one. The 90 minute presentation was split into two parts. In the first 45 minute segment viewers saw Ben Gazzara as LA Detective Sgt. Nick Anderson as he hunted down the suspect to a crime and ultimately made the arrest. Then in the second part Chuck Connors appeared as attorney John Egan and the police procedure turned into courtroom drama as Egan attempted to get the accused acquitted. The series ran for just one season. However, the format was adopted decades later with the earliest episodes of Law and Order

Published on November 28th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

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Play and Single Dramas

Court Martial (1965)

December 5th, 2018

Court Martial was a British made production co-funded by ITC (in the UK) and Roncom Productions (in the USA) which aired on ITV in 1965 and on ABC in 1966.

Crime of Passion (1970)

December 5th, 2018

In France crime passionnel (or crime of passion) was a valid defence during murder cases; during the 19th century, some cases could result in a custodial sentence for two years for the murderer.

Ladykillers (1980)

December 29th, 2018

A series of seven hour-long plays produced by Granada television based on real-life murder trials where the accused was female - proving that when it comes to foul play the gentler sex can be just as deadly as the male.

Justice (1971)

December 28th, 2018

Courtroom drama series based on a one-off play.

The Defenders (1961)

July 27th, 2021

Courtroom Drama: One of the most ground-breaking and, at times, controversial American television shows of the 1960s

Matlock (1986)

December 20th, 2024

Andy Griffith starred as a widowed, elderly, somewhat cantankerous, but folksy lawyer from Atlanta in this 1980s legal drama that was as cosy as a well-worn rocking chair. Matlock is the epitome of 1980s formulaic television, but it lasted for 9 seasons

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Court Martial

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Also tagged Courtroom Drama

Petticoat Junction

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Also released in 1963

First Night

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Also released in 1963

The Judy Garland Show

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Also released in 1963

Branded

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Also tagged Chuck Connors