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Quizzes > Movies

Law & Order trivia: How Well Do You Know the Cases?

Quick, free Law & Order quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Miss SmithUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This Law & Order trivia quiz helps you test what you remember from classic episodes, detectives, and court cases. Play a short round and see your score instantly, then explore our law and order svu quiz, take a quick Criminal Minds quiz, or brush up with a criminal justice quiz.

In which year did the original Law & Order series first premiere on NBC?
1988
1992
1990
1994
Law & Order premiered on NBC on September 13, 1990, launching a franchise that would become one of television's longest-running dramas. The series introduced its two-part format, combining police investigations with courtroom drama. It remained on the air continuously until 2010. .
Who is the creator of the Law & Order franchise?
David E. Kelley
Dick Wolf
Shonda Rhimes
Steven Bochco
Law & Order was created by television producer Dick Wolf, whose concept of combining police procedural elements with legal drama reshaped network television. Wolf's success with the series spawned multiple spinoffs and cemented his reputation in the crime drama genre. .
What city serves as the primary setting for Law & Order?
Chicago
Boston
New York City
Los Angeles
Law & Order is set in New York City, using the city's rich legal landscape and diverse boroughs as backdrops for both its investigations and trial scenes. Many episodes are filmed on location or on soundstages that replicate NYC streets and courtrooms. The series' portrayal of the city's justice system is a defining characteristic. .
Law & Order episodes are famously split into two parts: police investigations and what?
Legal proceedings
Defense arguments
Jury deliberations
Prosecution
The signature format of Law & Order divides each episode into two halves: the first follows detectives as they investigate crimes, and the second centers on the prosecution of suspects in criminal court. This dual approach highlights both the investigative and legal processes. .
Which actor portrayed Detective Lennie Briscoe on Law & Order?
Chris Noth
Benjamin Bratt
Sam Waterston
Jerry Orbach
Jerry Orbach played Detective Lennie Briscoe from 1992 until 2004, becoming one of the series' most beloved characters. His portrayal earned critical acclaim and remains iconic. Orbach's Briscoe is remembered for his wit, trench coat, and partnership with various junior detectives. .
Who composed the original Law & Order theme music?
Mike Post
Hans Zimmer
James Newton Howard
Harry Gregson-Williams
Mike Post composed the unmistakable Law & Order theme, which features the series' signature four notes. Post's work on the show helped set the tone for the franchise's procedural style. He is known for scoring many hit television dramas. .
Which character succeeded Adam Schiff as Manhattan District Attorney in the original series?
Michael Cutter
Nora Lewin
Claire Kincaid
Arthur Branch
After Adam Schiff (played by Steven Hill) left at the end of season 8, Dianne Wiest joined the cast as Acting District Attorney Nora Lewin starting in season 9. Lewin remained through season 11, shaping many of the legal strategies featured in those years. .
In Law & Order: SVU, what does 'SVU' stand for?
Street Violence Unit
Suspicious Violence Unit
Special Victims Unit
Serious Violent Unit
SVU stands for Special Victims Unit, the New York City Police Department division that investigates crimes of a sexual nature and those involving vulnerable victims. The spinoff premiered in 1999 and has become the longest-running series in the franchise. .
Which original Law & Order cast member appeared in the most episodes of the series?
Benjamin Bratt
S. Epatha Merkerson
Jerry Orbach
Sam Waterston
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren, played by S. Epatha Merkerson, appeared in 391 episodes from 1993 until the show's 2010 finale - more than any other cast member. Her tenure spans 17 seasons, making her the franchise's most enduring presence. .
Law & Order: Criminal Intent's primary detective character is Robert which last name?
Stabler
Briscoe
Sipowicz
Goren
Detective Robert Goren, portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio, is the lead investigator on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, known for his psychological approach to solving crimes. The series aired from 2001 to 2011. .
Which detective replaced Mike Logan on Law & Order after his transfer to the Bronx?
Ed Green
Lennie Briscoe
John Munch
Rey Curtis
When Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth) was written out at the end of season 2, Detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) joined the cast at the start of season 3. Briscoe's partnership and charisma became a hallmark of the series. .
In what year did the original Law & Order series end its initial run on network television?
2008
2012
2014
2010
Law & Order aired its final episode of the original run on May 24, 2010, concluding 20 seasons on NBC. At the time, it was the longest-running primetime drama in U.S. television history. The series was later revived in 2022. .
Who played Assistant District Attorney Tracey Kibre in the spinoff Law & Order: Trial by Jury?
Angie Harmon
Bebe Neuwirth
Debra Messing
Mariska Hargitay
Bebe Neuwirth starred as ADA Tracey Kibre in Law & Order: Trial by Jury, which aired during the 2005 - 2006 season. The series focused on courtroom preparation and strategy, setting it apart from other franchise entries. It lasted for one season before cancellation. .
Which Assistant District Attorney served the longest continuous tenure on the original Law & Order series?
Nora Lewin
Adam Schiff
Jack McCoy
Claire Kincaid
Jack McCoy, portrayed by Sam Waterston from season 5 through the series finale in season 20, is the longest-serving ADA on the original Law & Order. His character became emblematic of the franchise's moral complexity and courtroom tactics. McCoy's tenure totaled over 300 episodes. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic Law & Order Cases -

    Retrieve key details from classic law and order trivia questions, including major twists, verdicts, and landmark case outcomes.

  2. Identify Memorable Detectives and Their Methods -

    Recognize series protagonists by recalling their investigative styles and signature tactics used throughout various law and order episodes quiz questions.

  3. Analyze Courtroom Drama Moments -

    Break down pivotal trial scenes and legal arguments to deepen your understanding of courtroom procedures featured in law and order trivia.

  4. Distinguish Legal Procedures and Verdicts -

    Differentiate between case resolutions, jury deliberation outcomes, and appeal processes highlighted in trivia questions about the show.

  5. Apply Law & Order Facts to Scored Challenges -

    Use accurate details and show lore to answer each quiz item correctly, reinforcing your command of law and order facts.

  6. Evaluate Your Law & Order Trivia Expertise -

    Assess your performance with immediate scoring feedback, allowing you to pinpoint strengths and areas for further quiz-based practice.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Pilot and Procedural Blueprint -

    The pilot "Prescription for Death" lays down the blueprint for Law & Order's two-act structure with detectives investigating and prosecutors trying cases. NBC's official archives note how this format of "detective work + legal drama" inspired countless procedurals - remember it with the mnemonic "DP" for Detective-first, Prosecution-second.

  2. "Ripped from the Headlines" Cases -

    Law & Order popularized adapting real-world events into fictional episodes, a concept confirmed by interviews in the Journal of Media Ethics. To recall examples, think of the "Knockout" episodes mirroring hazing incidents; use the acronym RFLH (Ripped From the Headlines) to remember the show's topical edge.

  3. Iconic Characters and Casting Rotations -

    Familiarize yourself with long-running detectives like Lennie Briscoe and Jack McCoy to chart series continuity; the official Law & Order Companion lists over 30 main cast changes. Recall character pairings with the phrase "Briscoe & Green, tried and true" to track eras efficiently.

  4. Signature Sound and Editing Style -

    Mike Post's two-note "dun-dun" motif is an auditory trademark featured in over 450 episodes, as detailed in the Journal of TV Music Studies. Memorize the beat pattern "down-up" to instantly identify Law & Order's theme and transition cues.

  5. Spin-offs and Franchise Footprint -

    The Law & Order franchise includes SVU, Criminal Intent, and Organized Crime, surpassing 1,300 cumulative episodes according to NBCUniversal press releases. Use the acronym "SCIO" (SVU, CI, Organized Crime) to recall the major series spawns and track crossover events.

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