In Jerry Orbach's last episode, he was so sick, he was barely able to speak. In one scene, they pulled back and added his voice later. In another scene, they changed it so he "had" to whisper, since his voice couldn't get any louder.
Episode thirteen, "Eros in the Upper Eighties", is the only episode of this show not to be broadcast during its original run on NBC. After the series was cancelled, it was rebroadcast by Court TV, which finally aired the episode on January 21, 2006.
The following statement appeared at the beginning of each episode: "In the criminal justice system, all defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Either by confession, plea bargain, or trial by jury. This is one of those trials."
Beginning with season seven in 2007, and continuing until its final season, Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) used the opening theme music originally heard on this series. The change in theme music coincided with the show's transfer from NBC to USA.
Sometimes during the trial, a witness will refuse to answer or try and evade a question so the prosecution/defense will often ask the judge presiding over the case for permission to treat the witness as hostile. What this means is when a witness is called to the stand, their testimony is expected to support the argument of the side that subpoenaed them. If the witness becomes evasive or changes their testimony on the stand, the (E.)A.D.A.'s/Defense Attorny's are given permission by the judge to treat the witness as if he were called to the stand by the opposing side which legally changes the nature of the questions and language the lawyer uses to ask them. That is to say, the direct examination becomes a cross-examination, allowing either the prosecution or defense to use leading questions, giving the lawyer who is questioning the witness more latitude to suggest how the witness should answer.