The Legal System in German Popular Culture

Legal themes, especially related to crime, abound in German popular culture. Due to the countries long experience with totalitarian regimes, one main topic is the political abuse of law. Run-of-the-mill crime stories, of course, are the staple of literature and audio-visual media. Their lure did not lessen in the age of the internet. Due to genre and narrative conventions, mainstream products tend to shed a positive light on the institutions and the personnel of law. Much of German fiction is heavily influenced by the example of US film making up to the point that the actual German legal system is misrepresented. Other influences shape content as well. Economic pressure rank high among them while overt censorship was evident during the Third Reich and in the East German state. Artistically highly regarded works often focus on the topic of individual guilt, while lesser productions typically draw on sensational aspects of crime detection. The ordering hand of the judge, putting things right after a tumultuous court hearing, signifies the German TV judge show. Measured degrees of social criticism are typical for many of the better products. Novels and plays still claim ground in popular culture, otherwise still dominated by television.
Though US media products dominate the international market for legal fiction, German TV shows, especially police series, became a success story as well. They project the image of the clean, correct and efficient police inspector. Critical films are aiming mainly at the domestic market due to their specific issues. Nevertheless, the overall effect of German popular fiction dealing with crime and justice tends to be positive. Trust in the law is supported.