Filmed entirely on location in 
New York City, this realistic 
program looks at law and order 
from a dual perspective. In the 
first half-hour, Detectives 
Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) 
and Reynaldo "Rey" Curtis 
(Benjamin Bratt) investigate 
crimes and apprehend law-breakers,
under the supervision of their 
precinct lieutenant, Anita Van 
Buren(S. Epatha Merkerson). In the
 second half-hour, the focus 
shifts to the criminal courts. 
Assistant District Attorneys Jamie 
Ross (Carey Lowell)and Jack McCoy
(Sam Waterston), under the 
watchful eye of District Attorney 
Adam Schiff (Steven Hill), work 
within a complicated justice 
system to prosecute the criminals.