Crime & Punishment premiered on NBC on June 16, 2001. From the creator and executive producer of the Law & Order franchise, Dick Wolf, and Academy Award-winning documentarian Bill Guttentag comes Crime & Punishment, an hour-long, non-scripted "drama-mentary" that offers viewers a look at real-life prosecutors as they prepare for and try cases. Edited to have the look and feel of a primetime drama series, Crime & Punishment chronicles actual cases brought to trial by the San Diego District Attorney's office, giving viewers an eyewitness view into the criminal justice system. The show is produced by Wolf Films, Shape Pictures and Anonymous Content in association with Universal Television Distribution. Guttentag, Wolf and David Kanter are co-creators and executive producers. Peter Jankowski also serves as executive producer.
Season 1 Synopsis
People v. Dailey
Deputy District Attorney Dan Goldstein prosecutes the case of James Dailey, suspected of finally making good on his continuous death threats and murdering his ex-wife after the couple had a heated confrontation. Sifting through the evidence and countless testimony of Dailey's friends and coworkers who served as a constant audience for his morbid fantasies, Goldstein seeks a conviction in the case, despite the fact that the body of Dailey's wife was never found.
People v. Jones
Deputy District Attorney Garry Haehnle prosecutes Marshall Jones, a father accused of suffocating his 4-month-old son and burying the body in a shallow grave in the woods. Attempting to pass the murder off as an unfortunate accident, the defense paints the picture of a loving father who made one bad decision, which Haehnle must disprove in the eyes of the jury.
People v. Vasquez
Was it a "crime of passion" or revenge murder? Defendant Jesus Vasquez is accused of first-degree murder after allegedly storming into his girlfriend's apartment, and believing she was unfaithful to him, repeatedly stabbing her to death on her bathroom floor. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lindberg attempts to overcome the defense's "crime of passion" theory and convince the jury that Vasquez's heinous act was premeditated.
People v. Sanabria
When Abraham Sanabria offered a ride to Melissa Huffman outside a popular San Diego club, he allegedly had more on his mind than simply helping her get home safely after a night out. D.D.A. Andrea Freshwater attempts to prove as she prosecutes Sanabria that his intentions were to lure his "would-be-victim" to a secluded area and repeatedly rape her.
People v. Curry
When the body of reputed gang member Marcus Curry's girlfriend is found on the side of a California highway with a bullet through the back of her head, the police and D.D.A. Michael Runyon believe Curry to be the prime suspect. Struggling against a lack of eyewitness testimony and an anxious Judge Fredrick Link, Runyan must explain to the jury that his circumstantial case proves Curry to be a calculating murderer.
People v. Schierbaum And People v. Villa
In this special episode, Deputy District Attorney Kurt Mechals prosecutes Michael Villa, accused of brutally beating his wife and committing his third strike in this case of domestic abuse. In addition, D.D.A. Stacy Running seeks the maximum possible sentence for Thomas Schierbaum -- accused of attempted murder, kidnapping and sexual assault -- after ending a long history of domestic violence by terrorizing his wife and two children and eventually threatening their lives.
People v. Taitano
Deputy District Attorney Anne Marie Urrutia prosecutes Jorge Taitano, a 65-year-old man accused of using candy and kind words to lure an unsuspecting 12-year-old girl into his apartment, binding and attempting to suffocate her. Urrutia fights against a defense of mistaken identity when Taitano's lawyers attempt to prove his roommate is the perpetrator of the attack, and the DDA must rely on a crucial piece of evidence to seal a conviction.
People v. Garcia
When Alfred Garcia's wife found her husband wearing her lingerie in a compromising position late one night, her reaction was to scream, which sent Alfred into a violent rage, leaving her with an 8-inch stab wound in her chest. D.D.A Tracy Prior attempts to prosecute Garcia for the assault, while fighting against the defense's claim that the entire attack was an accident and Garcia's guilt-stricken wife who is trying desperately to save her husband.
People v. Kayser And People v. Palomino
Blaine Bowman helps a family whose boy was slain in an accident involving a drunken driver.
People v. Wells
While Deputy DA Mark Amador prosecutes a reputed gang member, a drive-by shooting kills an eyewitness to the first crime.
People v. Scott And People v. Smith
A teenager is accused of sending threatening e-mails to the survivors of a high-school shooting.
People v. Mayta
Deputy District Attorney Carol Buck seeks a murder conviction in the case of a bar patron's shooting.
