Fictional legal shows are just fiction. Right? Let’s dive into the world of legal dramas and analyze three stories from the shows Suits and The Good Wife and the 1996 movie, Primal Fear. Together we will apply real legal principles, like contract law and the comparative negligence standard, to the fictional cases. Please note there are spoilers for the shows and movie!

Research & Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K2-1116.htm

https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/supreme-court/1981/52875-5.html

https://casetext.com/case/poole-v-city-of-rolling-meadows-1

https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/blog/the-principles-of-contract-law/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/oral-contract.asp

https://lawlibrarycollections.umn.edu/classic-cases-criminal-mnaghten-rule

“Break Point.” Suits. Created by Aaron Korsh, Season 2, Episode 5, Universal Cable Productions, July 19, 2012.

“Painkiller.” The Good Wife. Created by Robert King and Michelle King, Season 1, Episode 12, Scott Free Productions, January 12, 2010.

Hoblit, G. (1996). Primal Fear. Rysher Entertainment.