The Reality of Courtroom Drama: Why Fiction Gets It So Wrong
When I first became a cop, I had some pretty skewed ideas of what court was going to be like. Thanks to books, TV and movies, I was expecting explosive moments where lawyers screamed “OBJECTION!” at every turn, and witnesses got grilled like they were on trial for war crimes. I figured every trial would have at least one “You can’t handle the truth!” moment, and the room would erupt in chaos at least once a day.
Spoiler alert: it’s nothing like that. The truth? Courtrooms are a lot more like a polite board meeting than a soap opera. Attorneys don’t scream (usually), witnesses aren’t badgered until they break down, and most of the time, it’s a calm, controlled atmosphere. Here’s a look at what really happens in the courtroom, and how you can inject real drama into your courtroom scenes without slipping into melodrama.
Court Isn’t the Free-For-All You Think It Is
The most glaring mistake in TV courtrooms is the idea that anything goes. We’ve all seen the scenes: a lawyer is belittling the witness, another one’s screaming “Objection!” every other line, and the judge is either banging their gavel or lounging in their seat, looking annoyed. It’s all fun to watch, but that’s about where the accuracy ends. (The gavel thing is especially annoying. I’ve literally never seen a judge bang a gavel in court.)
In reality, courtroom decorum is extremely structured. Lawyers are respectful to each other (yes, even the ones who don’t get along). The process of raising objections is a calm and measured thing. You don’t shout “OBJECTION!”—you simply state your objection clearly and respectfully, and then the judge calmly rules on it. If anyone starts grandstanding or raising their voice, they’re usually told to knock it off pretty quickly.
What’s wrong here:
Courtroom dramas usually emphasize conflict by turning the volume up—literally. Attorneys yell, witnesses crack under pressure, and the judge is there to referee a circus. The truth is, if you saw a lawyer act the way they do on TV in real life, they’d likely be held in contempt or, at the very least, get a dressing down by the judge. It's all about respect and protocol.
Witnesses Don’t Get Screamed At—It’s All About the Details
Another big misconception is that witnesses get verbally beaten down until they confess to something—usually in a fiery monologue that’s clearly written for an Oscar reel. In real life, cross-examination is more about precision and subtlety than raising your voice.
Attorneys want witnesses to slip up, sure, but they’re not trying to terrify them into submission. The idea is to trip them up with inconsistencies, ask strategic questions, and let their answers speak for themselves. The courtroom is about fact-finding, not melodrama. There’s no place for screaming matches or forced confessions.
How to fix it:
You can still write compelling cross-examinations, but instead of turning up the heat with aggressive yelling, focus on building tension through the content of the questions. A well-timed, precise question that throws the witness off balance can be just as gripping—and far more realistic—than a tirade.
It’s Polite, Mundane... But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Boring
Yes, real courtroom proceedings can be incredibly mundane. Lots of legal arguments, long-winded explanations, and procedural motions. But just because the drama is dialed down doesn’t mean it can’t still be tense and engaging. The key is to understand that the drama doesn’t come from volume—it comes from what’s at stake.
The real tension in a courtroom isn’t in how loud someone can shout, it’s in what’s hanging in the balance. You’ve got people’s futures, their freedom, their lives on the line. The stakes are naturally high, and subtle tension can be far more powerful than forced conflict.
Incorporating Drama Without Turning to Melodrama
The good news? You can still write courtroom scenes that are compelling without turning the courtroom into a wrestling match. Here’s how:
Focus on Strategy, Not Volume: Real-life attorneys don’t shout; they strategize. Instead of loud objections and theatrics, show the mental chess match between lawyers. Let the tension come from their carefully planned questions and responses.
Subtle Body Language: Courtroom drama doesn’t have to come from words. A judge’s pause before ruling on an objection, a witness’s hesitation before answering a question, or a lawyer’s knowing glance at their client can speak volumes. Use these small moments to build tension.
The Stakes: Remember, the stakes are always high in a courtroom. Whether it’s a life sentence, a hefty fine, or even just public reputation, there’s always something important on the line. Use that to your advantage. You don’t need shouting to create drama when the audience knows what’s at stake.
Real Courtroom Drama Can Be Just as Tense—Without the Yelling
I get it. Everyone loves a good courtroom showdown. But if you want to avoid the melodrama and keep your story grounded in reality, focus on authentic tension. The real drama in a courtroom comes from what’s being said—and what’s at stake—not from raised voices and grandstanding. The real-world legal system is built on control, respect, and strategy, and when you know how to balance those with good storytelling, you can have a courtroom scene that’s both authentic and thrilling.
If you’re looking to write more realistic courtroom scenes or need help with any other law enforcement-related content, I’m here to help. As someone who’s worked countless cases, testified in real courtrooms, and seen how it all goes down, I can help you bring your scenes to life without losing that much-needed dramatic edge.