Adam-12 (TV Series) Log 123: Courtroom (1969) User Reviews

Reed Takes the Stand

[netflixnkill · 9/10 · 12 June 2022]

Don't usually write reviews but just watched this episode and wanted to see how well I could articulate my thoughts lol. Well I enjoyed it but I have to admit I found myself actually rooting for the bad guy, his rights were clearly violated by Reed who was doing good police work but didn't really know his laws.

The episode starts at the beginning of Malloy and Reed's shift, they have warrants to serve. They get to their first serve and call for backup (which I thought was weird for a simple traffic violation but w/e), so anyway they knock on the door and as soon as the guy sees them he pushes the door close and jets off. Malloy and Reed get past the door and catches him in the living room. They handcuff him and take him out after telling him why, now here's where Reed makes his mistake. He goes back in the house to go through the back to secure and tell the backup officers they're in the clear (now I see why they were called), in doing so he finds pounds of drugs in the kitchen.

Because of this we get a nice look at our blue boys in the courtroom, something we haven't seen yet. Malloy basically predicts the outcome but a rookie Reed is hopeful that it was a good bust and the case will stick. Once Reed takes the stand he is cross examined by the defense and it becomes evident that he violated the search and seize law, ultimately causing a dismissal. The cops, the DA, and the defense attorney all agree the system is flawed.

A well put together episode that shows the process of when a cop has to testify in a simple case.

Criminals - 1, Police - 0

[chashans · 8/10 · 10 August 2023]

A very different episode for Adam-12 and quite an interesting one. Malloy and Reed serve a warrant for an arrest. After a mostly successful arrest process, Malloy, Reed and the arrested man exit the man's house. Reed then returns into the house against the man's wishes. Reed goes back in to secure the house's back door. Upon reaching the kitchen, Reed spots a whole lot of illegal drugs, "speed", laying atop a kitchen counter. So what would any Officer of the Law do in such a situation?

Unsurprisingly, veteran Police Officer Malloy and Sergeant MacDonald, back at the Station, know that this arrest isn't going to go down well with the Court System. Reed though, is certain that Law and Order will win the day.

It's quite different to see Malloy and Reed in a Courtroom, preparing to testify. It is remarked that quite some time has passed since the arrest. The Prosecutor gives Reed some hope for that win. However, the Prosecutor seems to know in the back of his mind that he (and Reed) doesn't stand a chance of a victory with this case.

It's a bit disheartening to see our heroic Officer Reed, upon the stand, being chewed up by the Defense Attorney. It doesn't take long for the Defense Attorney to get to the point of spitting Reed out. Malloy has been sitting there watching, having known full well that his young rookie partner was in for defeat and disappointment. The scriptwriter does take the time though, to conclude the Defense Attorney's conversation with the Law Men, after the fact, on a positive note. Just like Reed did his own job, the Defense Attorney did his.

It is truly rather shocking to see Malloy and Reed on the losing side. It's all a good lesson for the viewers at home, especially young viewers thinking about a future career in law enforcement. The criminals certainly don't play by the rules, but the Law must.

On an aside; another review here states that Reed was charged with improper search and seizure and that the arrested man, James Brown, sues Reed in court. All of that is incorrect, though it may be understandable why that reviewer reached that conclusion. The trial is indeed the People against James Brown, the man Malloy and Reed arrested. Reed is questioned on the stand and later the Judge declares that Reed's search and seizure was improper. The People's case against Brown is then lost.

On another aside; the DVD for this episode includes a "Ride Along" Fact Track. It provides some interesting information regarding Police testimony and types of Court, etc. It also includes information pertaining to an important Court case, Chimel versus the State of California. This case dealt with what is and is not proper Police Search Procedure. This case took place shortly prior to this episode of "Adam-12" being written and filmed. The episode is heavily influenced by the decisions of that case and was meant to teach the viewing audience as to the importance of that case.

A Good Bust

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 10 April 2021]

(*Officer Reed to Officer Wells quote*) - "What happened, the guy slug you?"

Officer Reed is charged with improper search and seizure procedures. He is taken to court by James Brown who was initially arrested for $600 worth of traffic violations.

When Officer Reed was inside Brown's house he spotted a large quantity of narcotics sitting on the kitchen counter. And that is where all the trouble started.