Reality Legal
Reality Based to do with Law
Reality legal programming (also known as reality legal program, reality legal show, legal reality show) is a television programming sub-genre of reality television, focusing on reality-based subjects having to do with law, such as police, crime, litigation, etc. Sub-genres of reality legal programming consist of a strict focus and come in all shapes and sizes from legal news programming and reality court shows to law enforcement documentaries and true crime shows. Prime examples of reality legal programs include Cops, Dateline NBC, Cold Case Files, etc. Many reality legal programs use elements from other television genres, such as documentaries, talk shows, news shows, caught-on-tape shows, etc.
TruTV, originally known as Court TV from its inception in 1991 until 2008, is a network that is practically dedicated to reality legal programs. While its focus has expanded in recent years since its renaming, the network is still largely concentrated in reality-based legal programming. A vast majority of reality legal shows are legal news programs, providing clips and details of highly publicised crimes with commentary from news anchors, political figures, law experts, and other guests to help viewers understand the nature of the crime and any legal proceedings involved. Some of the clips take viewers into the courtrooms as well.
