As I rewatch SVU from Season 1 onward, as the earlier episodes I haven't seen in about 20 years, I get the feeling after reading some of the reviews that people don't get that Law & Order is fiction imitating reality. Now so of the plots are fabricated but the laws are not. It's about understanding the legal system and how imperfect it is, and help us better understand the system and when we need to act. I am not anti-police, but seeing how they treat everyone as guilty until they can prove their innocence and police harassment you begin to understand why there are some who dislike the police. I can't believe 20 years ago, I like the character Elliot Stabler, now as I watch season 11 I am so glad to know his character is leaving soon. He IS a horrible person and believe the job has gotten to him. Can you imagine being innocent, but circumstantial evidence puts you in the crosshairs and having to face a detective like him. He will destroy your reputation by going to your place of work and accusing you of the crime, he will go to your family and tell them you're guilty, slap you around during interrogation, and when the evidence (if the evidence) points to someone else, he'll just move on and leave you to pick up the pieces of your life and we all know your career will be over, because too many people believe "where's there smoke, there must be fire".
I can only pray that I don't end up at the wrong place at the wrong time, or have a doppelganger that's a criminal. How many of us have a reliable alibi 24/7.