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Chicago Justice
Genre
Created byDick Wolf
Developed by
ShowrunnerMichael S. Chernuchin
Starring
ComposerAtli Örvarsson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers
ProducerCarla Corwin
Production locationChicago, Illinois
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time43 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseMarch 1 (2017-03-01) –
May 14, 2017 (2017-05-14)
Related

Chicago Justice is an American legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf, the fourth series of the Chicago franchise. It stars Philip Winchester, Jon Seda, Joelle Carter, Monica Barbaro, and Carl Weathers. It aired on NBC from March 1 to May 14, 2017. A backdoor pilot aired on May 11, 2016, as part of the third season of Chicago P.D. before being ordered to series. The show follows the prosecutors and investigators at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office as they navigate their way through Chicago area politics, the legal arena, and media coverage while pursuing justice.

On May 22, 2017, NBC canceled the series after one season, making it the first series in the Chicago franchise to end.[1] After the show ended, Philip Winchester's character Peter Stone became a regular on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit where Chernuchin became showrunner, while Jon Seda's character Antonio Dawson returned to Chicago P.D. The show averaged a 1.5 rating (adults 18–49, Live+7) in comparison to 1.9 for Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, with Chicago Fire receiving a 2.3 rating that season.[1] Despite the show performing marginally better than Shades of Blue and Taken, NBC executives stated it was canceled due to sustainability and space for other programs.[2]

Premise

[edit]

Set in Chicago, Chicago Justice follows the State's Attorney team of prosecutors and investigators who work to bring justice to victims.

Cast and characters

[edit]

Main

[edit]

Recurring

[edit]
  • Lindsey Pearlman as Joy Fletcher
  • Matthew C. Yee as Ronnie Chen
  • Tyrone Phillips as Tyrone Jones
  • Tim Kazurinsky as Judge Emerson
  • Gary Basaraba as William O'Boyle
  • James Vincent Meredith as Judge
  • Rammel Chan as Virgil Li
  • John Lu as Clerk

Episodes

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Backdoor pilot (2016)

[edit]
Main article: Chicago P.D. season 3
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
5921"Justice"Jean de SegonzacStory by : Dick Wolf
Teleplay by : Michael Brandt & Derek Haas & Matt Olmstead		May 11, 2016 (2016-05-11)3216.75[5]

Season 1 (2017)

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Fake"Donald PetrieMichael S. ChernuchinMarch 1, 2017 (2017-03-01)1018.73[6]

Assistant State's Attorney Peter Stone and Chief Investigator Antonio Dawson prepare to prosecute the suspect responsible for the warehouse fire. When the suspect's supposed confession is deemed inadmissible and the defense prevents a cross-examination of the defendant by Stone, the State's Attorney's office must find a motive and bring justice to both the victims and their families.

This episode concludes a crossover with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. that begins on "Deathtrap" and continues on "Emotional Proximity." It is included on the Chicago Fire Season 5 and Chicago P.D. Season 4 DVD sets.
2"Uncertainty Principle"Norberto BarbaWilliam N. FordesMarch 5, 2017 (2017-03-05)1027.21[7]
After a suspect dies in custody, Dawson is put into an uncomfortable situation when the State's Attorney's office begins accusing Officer Kevin Atwater (guest star LaRoyce Hawkins) of using excessive force when apprehending the man accused of drug dealing. Subsequently, Stone is forced to charge Atwater with murder.
3"See Something"Fred BernerStory by : Dick Wolf & Michael S. Chernuchin
Teleplay by : Michael S. Chernuchin		March 7, 2017 (2017-03-07)1036.07[8]
The State's Attorney's office is in a sensitive situation when a Muslim graduate student is found brutally murdered. Stone and Valdez try to convict a prejudiced frat member but find he was set up, leading Dawson and Nagel to arrest the victim's best friend. During the trial, the best friend admits to the killing, but claims it was because he found out the victim was plotting a major terrorist attack, leaving Stone and Valdez to question whether this was a heroic act or a cold-blooded homicide.
4"Judge Not"Elodie KeeneApril FitzsimmonsMarch 12, 2017 (2017-03-12)1046.42[9]
Valdez is in hot water when she witnesses the murder of a popular judge after having drinks with him at a bar. Stone questions Valdez's relationship with the victim and, when she does not give him a straight answer, he refuses to allow her to work the case. In court, the team unearths the killer as the ex-husband of a rape victim whose attacker was given a lenient sentence by the judge.
5"Friendly Fire"Stephen CraggRichard Sweren & April FitzsimmonsMarch 19, 2017 (2017-03-19)1055.74[10]
The team investigates the brutal murder of a Navy SEAL veteran. Stone and Valdez discover at the autopsy that the victim ingested a flash drive containing classified information about a botched Navy mission in which he was involved. Jeffries, a military veteran, forbids Stone from using the video as evidence, causing friction between the two.
6"Dead Meat"Eriq La SalleLawrence KaplowMarch 26, 2017 (2017-03-26)1065.84[11]
Dawson and Nagel investigate the murder of a Chicago police officer. They initially ruled it a suicide because the officer had cancer, but the medical examiner found that the victim had a broken neck. Stone and Valdez determine that the prime suspect was previously exonerated for deadly arson.
7"Double Helix"Donald PetrieElizabeth RinehartApril 2, 2017 (2017-04-02)1075.91[12]
Nagel and Dawson are disturbed when they investigate the brutal murder of a pregnant woman whose unborn baby was cut from her stomach. Stone and Valdez begin to prosecute the person involved. Soon after, the evidence points to the killer being related to a serial killer that Stone put away. Meanwhile, Nagel files a petition for joint custody of her daughter.
8"Lily's Law"Donald PetrieAllison IntrieriApril 9, 2017 (2017-04-09)1085.53[13]
After a guilty verdict is handed down, a juror on the case is found dead in a lake. The team investigates and discovers that she actually committed suicide because she was being cyber stalked and heavily harassed. Stone does everything in his power to bring the person responsible to justice.
9"Comma"Alex ZakrzewskiMichael S. Chernuchin & Allison IntrieriApril 16, 2017 (2017-04-16)1094.93[14]
The State's Attorney's office investigates the murder of a college student, and their prime suspect is a college student who was acquitted of murdering her boyfriend in Spain. Stone digs deeper and thinks it might not be her.
10"Drill"Vincent MisianoRichard SwerenApril 23, 2017 (2017-04-23)1105.63[15]
An innocent child is caught in the crossfire of an escalating gang war. The State's Attorney's office investigates and discovers that both gangs use social media to fuel their battles. Stone makes a controversial decision to try to shut off the members' smartphones.
11"AQD"Victor Nelli Jr.Lawrence Kaplow & Elizabeth RinehartApril 30, 2017 (2017-04-30)1116.15[16]
The team investigates the murder of an Anti-Environmental Alderman who was murdered in a hit and run accident. Dawson and Nagel try to find the person responsible but have trouble finding any witnesses. Valdez discovers that the driver was a mother frantically trying to find her kidnapped daughter, but later finds out it was a scam. Meanwhile, Dawson runs into Sylvie Brett (guest star Kara Killmer) during the investigation and thinks about their former relationship.
12"Fool Me Twice"Martha MitchellBill Chais & William N. FordesMay 7, 2017 (2017-05-07)1125.35[17]
The team investigates the shooting of a man left for dead, but is road blocked by detectives (guest star Dylan Walsh) working the same case. Later, Nagel reveals that the victim was her confidential informant, and Stone bars her from working the case because she is too close to it.
13"Tycoon"Fred BernerBill ChaisMay 14, 2017 (2017-05-14)1135.73[18]
The State's Attorney's office investigates a deadly crane accident that took out half a building and killed a man below in his car. Nagel grows suspicious when the victim is identified to be the son-in-law of a powerful real estate developer who owns the building that collapsed.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The show was confirmed on January 21 during the 2016 Television Critics Association winter press tour, with the working title Chicago Law.[19] By March 11, the title was changed to Chicago Justice.[20] Filming began on March 28 for the backdoor pilot that aired on May 11 as the 21st episode of the third season of Chicago P.D.[21] The pilot is partially based on historical events and is based on a true story.[22] On May 12, 2016, a day after the backdoor pilot aired on Chicago P.D., NBC gave the show a series order.[23] The series premiered on March 1, 2017, concluding a crossover with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.[24] It then ran in its scheduled time slot beginning March 5, 2017.[25]

Casting

[edit]

Philip Winchester was the first to be cast on February 19, 2016, as Peter Stone, the prosecutor who put Voight in prison years ago.[26][27] His father is Benjamin Stone, an assistant district attorney on the first four seasons of Law & Order.[28] Nazneen Contractor joined the series on March 11, 2016,[20] and Joelle Carter on March 14, 2016.[29] Rocky alum Carl Weathers joined the cast on March 19 as Cook County State's Attorney Mark Jefferies,[30] while Ryan-James Hatanaka was added to the cast on March 24.[31] Lorraine Toussaint reprised her role in the pilot as defense attorney Shambala Green, who appeared in seven episodes of Law & Order.[32] Contractor exited the show on July 7, 2016, to join the cast of the CBS police procedural drama Ransom.[33] On August 25, 2016, Monica Barbaro was added to the cast.[34] On September 28, it was reported that Jon Seda's character Antonio Dawson would move from P.D. to Justice, where Antonio would become an investigator for the State's Attorney's office. With this move, Hatanaka departed the series.[35] Richard Brooks reprised his Law & Order role of Paul Robinette in the episode "Uncertainty Principle".[36] Tovah Feldshuh appeared on the premiere episode as her Law & Order character Danielle Melnick who has become a judge.

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 70% approval rating, with an average rating of 5.21 out of 10 based on 10 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads: "Chicago Justice's first season won't sway procedural nonbelievers, but for fans of the franchise, it marks another solid entry that should satisfy faithful viewers and newcomers alike."[37] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the show scored 57 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[38]

Ratings

[edit]

Overall

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Viewership and ratings per season of Chicago Justice
Season Timeslot (ET) Episodes First aired Last aired TV season Viewership
rank		 Avg. viewers
(millions)		 18–49
rank		 Avg. 18–49
rating
Date Viewers
(millions) 		Date Viewers
(millions)
1 Wednesday 10:00 p.m. (1)
Sunday 9:00 p.m. (2, 4–13)
Tuesday 10:00 p.m. (3)		 13 March 1, 2017 (2017-03-01) 8.73[6] May 14, 2017 (2017-05-14) 5.73[18] 2016–17 TBD TBD TBD TBD

Season 1

[edit]
Viewership and ratings per episode of Chicago Justice
No. Title Air date Rating/share
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Fake" March 1, 2017 1.7/7 8.73[6] — — — —
2 "Uncertainty Principle" March 5, 2017 1.4/4 7.21[7] — — — —
3 "See Something" March 7, 2017 1.3/5 6.07[8] 0.7 3.22 2.0 9.28[39]
4 "Judge Not" March 12, 2017 1.2/4 6.42[9] — 2.34 — 8.77[39]
5 "Friendly Fire" March 19, 2017 1.0/4 5.74[10] 0.6 2.64 1.6 8.38[40]
6 "Dead Meat" March 26, 2017 1.0/4 5.84[11] 0.6 2.65 1.6 8.49[41]
7 "Double Helix" April 2, 2017 0.9/3 5.91[12] 0.6 2.59 1.5 8.50[42]
8 "Lily's Law" April 9, 2017 1.0/4 5.53[13] — 2.50 — 8.03[43]
9 "Comma" April 16, 2017 0.9/3 4.93[14] 0.6 2.69 1.5 7.61[44]
10 "Drill" April 23, 2017 1.0/4 5.63[15] 0.5 2.38 1.5 8.01[45]
11 "AQD" April 30, 2017 1.1/4 6.15[16] — — — —
12 "Fool Me Twice" May 7, 2017 1.0/4 5.35[17] — 2.43 — 7.78[46]
13 "Tycoon" May 14, 2017 1.1/4 5.73[18] — 2.48 — 8.20[47]

Home media

[edit]
The Complete First Season
Set details Special features
  • 13 episodes
  • 556 minutes (Region 1)
  • 3-disc set
  • 1.78:1 aspect ratio
  • Languages:
    • English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
    • Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Subtitles:
    • English (Region 1)
    • French (Region 1)
    • Spanish (Region 1)
  • Chicago Fire Season 5 Crossover Episode - "Deathtrap"
  • Chicago P.D. Season 4 Crossover Episode - "Emotional Proximity"
Release dates
 United States  United Kingdom  Australia
September 12, 2017[48] September 25, 2017[49] February 7, 2018

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chicago Justice

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
![Chicago Justice promotional image](./assets/Chicago_Justice_(NBCUniversal_television_series) Chicago Justice is an American legal procedural television series created by that aired on for one season of 13 episodes from March 1 to May 24, 2017. As the fourth installment in Wolf's franchise—following Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D.—it spun off from a backdoor pilot episode of Chicago P.D. and focused on the prosecutors and investigators of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office navigating high-profile cases amid urban politics and ethical dilemmas. The series emphasized courtroom proceedings and investigative work similar to Wolf's format but set within the interconnected universe, featuring crossovers with its sister shows. Despite debuting to solid viewership, Chicago Justice was canceled after its initial run, with network executives citing challenges in sustaining its narrative distinctiveness from established Dick Wolf procedurals and broader franchise expansion concerns as key factors. This short tenure marked it as the briefest entry in the One Chicago lineup, highlighting the risks of proliferating interconnected series in a competitive broadcast landscape.

Series Overview

Premise and Concept

Chicago Justice is a legal television series that follows the dedicated team of prosecutors and investigators in the Cook County State's Attorney's office as they build cases against suspects while navigating intense political pressures, media attention, and institutional controversies in . The series emphasizes the team's relentless pursuit of convictions amid a backdrop of urban crime and systemic challenges, often portraying the prosecutors as heroic figures combating and public skepticism toward law enforcement. Created by as the fourth installment in the interconnected "One Chicago" franchise—following Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and —the concept integrates elements of police investigations from prior series through crossovers, shifting focus to the prosecutorial phase of the process. Episodes typically draw from headline-inspired scenarios, such as investigations, prosecutions, and high-stakes trials, structured around , interrogations, and strategic legal maneuvers. This approach underscores causal links between street-level crimes and judicial outcomes, highlighting how political influences and evidentiary hurdles impact case resolutions. The core concept portrays the State's Attorney's office as a bulwark against injustice in a politically volatile city, with narratives exploring tensions between aggressive prosecution tactics and procedural safeguards, reflecting real-world dynamics in 's justice system without endorsing partisan viewpoints. Premiering on on March 1, 2017, the series ran for one season of 13 episodes, concluding on May 24, 2017, after which it was canceled due to insufficient ratings despite its procedural formula's alignment with Wolf's established style of public-service heroism.

Setting and Procedural Format

Chicago Justice is set in contemporary , , primarily within the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, where a team of prosecutors and investigators handles high-profile criminal cases. The series depicts the urban environment of the city, including its police departments, courtrooms, and political landscape, emphasizing the challenges of pursuing convictions in a politically charged metropolis. Cases often involve collaboration with other entities, such as the , reflecting the interconnected nature of the city's justice system. The procedural format follows an episodic structure centered on individual cases, akin to other Dick Wolf productions, progressing from initial investigation and gathering to preparation and confrontations. Each 43-minute episode typically introduces a new or controversy, explores legal and ethical dilemmas faced by the team, and resolves with a verdict, while incorporating serialized elements like office politics and personal backstories. This format highlights prosecutorial decision-making, witness testimonies, and adversarial dynamics, often underscoring tensions between justice, public opinion, and institutional pressures.

Cast and Characters

Main Cast

The main cast of Chicago Justice, which aired its single 13-episode season on NBC from March 1 to May 14, 2017, consisted of five primary actors portraying key members of the Cook County State Attorney's Justice Bureau in Chicago. The ensemble focused on prosecutors, investigators, and supervisors handling high-profile criminal cases, with crossovers from other Chicago franchise series like Chicago P.D..
ActorCharacterRole Description
Peter StoneExecutive Assistant State's Attorney (ASA) leading prosecutions; a principled but intense with background.
Chief investigator from the Chicago Police Intelligence Unit, providing fieldwork and evidence gathering.
Laura NagelDeputy Supervisor of the Justice Bureau, overseeing operations and strategy.
Anna ValdezAssistant State's Attorney specializing in case preparation and courtroom arguments.
Mark Jefferies, the bureau's political head focused on high-stakes decisions.
These actors were selected to emphasize procedural realism, with Winchester's Stone character drawing from real-world prosecutorial dynamics and Seda reprising his Chicago P.D. role for franchise continuity. The cast's performances centered on ethical dilemmas in the justice system, such as plea bargaining and evidence admissibility, without recurring changes due to the series' short run.

Recurring and Guest Roles

Several actors appeared in recurring capacities, often as judges, defense attorneys, or support staff integral to the procedural elements. portrayed Judge Emerson in two episodes. played defense attorney William O'Boyle across two episodes. James Vincent Meredith appeared as an unnamed judge in two episodes. Other recurring performers included as Joy Fletcher, Matthew C. Yee as Ronnie Chen, and Tyrone Phillips as Tyrone Jones, each contributing to investigative or subplots in multiple installments. Notable guest stars drew from the extended Chicago and universes, enhancing franchise connectivity. David Eigenberg reprised his role as firefighter Christopher Herrmann from Chicago Fire in three episodes. Sophia Bush appeared as Detective from Chicago P.D. in select episodes. Crossover appearances in episodes like "Fake," part of a multi-series event, featured as Lieutenant Kelly Severide and as Paramedic Sylvie Brett from Chicago Fire. guest-starred as Sergeant from Chicago P.D. Reprises from the Law & Order franchise included Tovah Feldshuh as Judge Danielle Melnick, a defense attorney-turned-judge originally from the original series, appearing in the premiere episode "Fake." Lorraine Toussaint returned as defense attorney Shambala Green, a character with prior appearances spanning over two decades in the Law & Order lineup. These guests underscored the series' ties to Dick Wolf's procedural ecosystem, with Melnick and Green providing continuity in legal advocacy roles.

Production

Development and Conception

Chicago Justice was conceived by producer Dick Wolf as an extension of his Chicago procedural franchise, which had already established interconnected series centered on first responders and law enforcement in the city. Following the successes of Chicago Fire (premiered 2012), Chicago P.D. (2014), and Chicago Med (2015), Wolf aimed to incorporate a legal drama component focusing on the Cook County State's Attorney's office to complete a narrative ecosystem spanning emergency services, policing, medicine, and prosecution. This modular approach allowed for character crossovers, such as interactions at recurring locations like Molly's bar, enhancing shared universe storytelling while supporting long-term syndication potential. Development accelerated in early amid rumors of a potential " Law" spinoff, with greenlighting the project under 's oversight to diversify the franchise's procedural elements into courtroom and prosecutorial narratives. A backdoor pilot episode titled "Justice," aired as the 20th episode of Chicago P.D.'s third season on May 18, , introduced key characters and tested the concept within the existing universe, drawing from real-world legal dynamics to depict prosecutors navigating and cases. positioned the series as the "brain" of the franchise, intellectually linking investigative leads from prior shows to judicial resolutions. NBC formally ordered Chicago Justice to series on May 12, 2016, during its upfront presentations, driven by the franchise's robust viewership—such as Chicago Fire averaging 11.6 million viewers and contributing to NBC's leadership in the 18-49 demographic. The decision aligned with Wolf's strategy to produce 110 hours of annual scripted content across four Chicago series plus Law & Order: SVU, solidifying NBC's primetime dominance through high-volume, formulaic programming rooted in urban heroism and procedural realism. Executive producers including Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, and Matt Olmstead collaborated with Wolf to refine the premise, emphasizing ethical dilemmas in high-stakes prosecutions.

Casting Decisions

Philip Winchester was the first actor cast in the series, announced on February 19, 2016, to portray Assistant State's Attorney Peter Stone, the lead prosecutor, in the then-titled Chicago Law. Winchester, known for roles in Strike Back and The Player, was selected to anchor the show's focus on high-stakes legal battles within the Chicago franchise. To maintain continuity across Dick Wolf's interconnected Chicago universe, transitioned from his recurring role as Detective on Chicago P.D. to become a series regular as Chief Investigator on Chicago Justice, with the move announced on September 28, 2016. This casting choice facilitated crossovers and shared character arcs, aligning with Wolf's strategy of building a shared procedural ecosystem. Joelle Carter was cast as Investigator Laura Nagel by March 2016, bringing experience from her morally ambiguous role in Justified to a more ethically grounded investigator position. Veteran actor joined as defense attorney Mark Jefferies, announced around the same period, providing seasoned gravitas to courtroom confrontations. Monica Barbaro was added as Assistant State's Attorney Anna Valdez on August 25, 2016, following her breakout performance in UnReal, replacing an earlier casting of in a similar prosecutorial role. These selections emphasized a mix of franchise familiarity, rising talents, and established performers to balance ensemble dynamics in the prosecutorial team.

Filming and Technical Aspects

Chicago Justice was filmed primarily on location in , , to authentically depict the city's legal and urban environments, with utilizing both exterior shoots across neighborhoods and interior scenes at Cinespace Film Studios. Specific sites included Glenview's Wagner Farm, which served as a key exterior location for an involving rural or farm-related case elements. The series employed a single-camera setup typical of procedural dramas, allowing for flexible on-location filming that captured Chicago's architecture and streetscapes while facilitating narrative focus on courtroom and investigative sequences. Cinematographer Lisa Wiegand, ASC, oversaw the visual style, drawing from her prior work on Dick Wolf productions to emphasize gritty realism through dynamic lighting and handheld shots in high-stakes scenes. Equipment included the Arri Alexa Plus camera paired with Cooke S4/i, Leitz SUMMILUX-C, and Fujinon Premier Cabrio lenses, processed via digital intermediate for a polished yet urgent aesthetic suited to legal thriller pacing. Directorial duties rotated among experienced television directors, with Donald Petrie helming three episodes to maintain consistent tone across the 13-episode season, alongside contributions from Fred Berner (two episodes) and others like Norberto Barba, ensuring efficient coverage of dialogue-heavy trials and field investigations. Filming for the backdoor pilot commenced on March 28, 2017, aligning with the franchise's emphasis on rapid production cycles to match network schedules.

Episodes

Backdoor Pilot Episode

The backdoor pilot for Chicago Justice aired as the 21st episode of the third season of Chicago P.D., titled "", on May 11, 2016. The episode centers on a police shooting incident that draws in prosecutors, establishing the procedural focus on the system from the perspective of state attorneys handling high-stakes cases involving . It introduces core elements of the spin-off's premise, including courtroom trials, investigative work by prosecutors, and tensions between police and the legal system. In the plot, patrol officers Sean Roman and respond to a call when a hooded assailant shoots Roman through their squad car window, critically injuring him. Burgess pursues the fleeing suspect on foot and fires multiple shots into his back after he turns toward her, believing him armed and responsible. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old honor student Jordan Sacks, dies from his wounds and is revealed to have been unarmed at the time of the shooting, with no gun recovered at the scene, sparking public outrage and an internal investigation. Burgess faces charges, prompting the involvement of Assistant State's Attorney Peter Stone to defend her , drawing on his prior experience prosecuting Chicago Police Sergeant for murder. Stone's defense uncovers that Sacks had fired the initial shots at the officers using a he later discarded during the chase, motivated by fear after witnessing a gang-related killing and being coerced into silence. includes ballistics matching the discarded weapon to the bullets that hit Roman, witness testimony from Sacks' , and revelations of threats from local gang figures. The episode highlights prosecutorial strategies, such as negotiating with defense attorneys and leveraging forensic analysis, while portraying interpersonal dynamics within the State's Attorney's office. Key characters introduced for the spin-off include Peter Stone, portrayed by , a principled with a background and a commitment to justice over expediency. The episode features interactions that foreshadow the ensemble dynamic of Chicago Justice, emphasizing Stone's role in navigating ethical dilemmas and systemic pressures in Cook County prosecutions. Directed by Nick Gomez and written by Rick Eid and , it garnered 6.68 million viewers and tested audience interest in shifting from police investigations to legal proceedings.

Season 1 Episodes

Season 1 of Chicago Justice comprises 13 episodes, which originally aired on from March 1, 2017, to May 14, 2017. The season follows the Illinois State's Attorney's office as they prosecute cases involving murder, corruption, and other crimes in , often intersecting with elements from the broader One Chicago universe.
No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
1FakeMarch 1, 2017
2Uncertainty PrincipleMarch 5, 2017
3See SomethingMarch 7, 2017
4Judge NotMarch 12, 2017
5Friendly FireMarch 19, 2017
6Dead MeatMarch 26, 2017
7Double HelixApril 2, 2017
8Lily's LawApril 9, 2017
9April 16, 2017
10April 23, 2017
11AQDApril 30, 2017
12Fool Me TwiceMay 7, 2017
13TycoonMay 14, 2017
The series averaged a 1.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic across its run, contributing to its status as the lowest-rated entry in the Chicago franchise at the time.

Broadcast and Distribution

Original Airing Schedule

Chicago Justice aired its single season on NBC from March 1, 2017, to May 14, 2017, comprising 13 episodes with an initial preview airing followed by a primary Sunday slot. The premiere episode "Fake" served as a lead-in after the Chicago P.D. season finale, before transitioning to weekly episodes.
No.TitleAir date
1FakeMarch 1, 2017
2March 5, 2017
3See SomethingMarch 7, 2017
4Judge NotMarch 12, 2017
5March 19, 2017
6Dead MeatMarch 26, 2017
7Double HelixApril 2, 2017
8Lily's LawApril 9, 2017
9CommaApril 16, 2017
10DrillApril 23, 2017
11AQDApril 30, 2017
12Fool Me TwiceMay 7, 2017
13TycoonMay 14, 2017
The irregular early schedule reflected NBC's strategy to integrate the series into the One Chicago franchise block.

Home Media and Streaming Availability

The complete first season of Chicago Justice was released on DVD in Region 1 by on September 12, 2017, comprising a three-disc set containing all 13 episodes with a total runtime of approximately 556 minutes. No Blu-ray edition was produced for the series. In the , the DVD release followed on September 25, 2017. As of October 2025, Chicago Justice is not available for free streaming on major subscription services like Peacock, which hosts other entries in the Chicago franchise, but can be purchased or rented digitally on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu (Fandango at Home), and Google Play. Full-season digital purchases typically cost around $19.99, with individual episodes available for separate rental. Physical DVD copies remain available through retailers such as Amazon and Walmart, though stock varies.

Reception

Critical Reviews

Critics delivered mixed assessments of Chicago Justice, praising its procedural efficiency and ties to the established Chicago franchise and Law & Order lineage while critiquing its formulaic structure and limited innovation in the genre. The series holds a 73% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews, with the consensus describing it as a solid entry unlikely to convert skeptics of the format but appealing to franchise enthusiasts. On Metacritic, it scores 57 out of 100 from nine critics, reflecting average reception amid user ratings of 6.5. Reviewers frequently highlighted the show's sturdy, two-part episode format—investigation followed by courtroom drama—as a strength, evoking the reliable rhythm of under showrunner , a veteran of that series. Philip Winchester's portrayal of Assistant State's Attorney Peter Stone drew acclaim for conveying principled intensity, with Variety noting his performance as a standout that elevates the ensemble alongside as State's Attorney Mark Jefferies. The integration with the broader universe, including crossovers, was seen as seamless and fan-pleasing, providing contextual depth without alienating newcomers. However, detractors pointed to the series' boilerplate storytelling and lack of moral complexity, arguing it prioritized case resolutions over nuanced character development or victim empathy, differing from more victim-focused entries in the franchise. Chicago Tribune critic Nina Metz described it as "well-made" yet philosophically inconsistent in its handling of headline-inspired cases, often feeling disingenuous and overly studio-bound rather than grounded in Chicago's real locations. Alan Sepinwall of Uproxx likened it to "comfort food" for procedural fans—nostalgic and satisfying but simplified, lacking the surprises and ethical ambiguity of classic Law & Order. Variety echoed this, calling it less lurid than predecessors but ultimately not transformative for courtroom dramas. These elements contributed to perceptions of the show as derivative, reinforcing its niche appeal within Dick Wolf's ecosystem rather than broadening the genre.

Viewership Ratings and Audience Metrics

Chicago Justice premiered on March 1, 2017, following a three-hour crossover event with Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and , drawing 8.7 million total viewers and a 1.6 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic according to Nielsen's live-plus-same-day measurements. This performance positioned it as the top-rated program in its time slot for both metrics. Subsequent episodes experienced a decline in viewership. For instance, an early non-premiere outing on , , achieved a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demo and 7.3 million viewers, while a later episode amid competition from the ACM Awards on April 2, , fell to 0.9 in the demo and 5.8 million viewers. The series finale aired on May 14, , but specific metrics for that episode were not standout compared to the . Over its single 13-episode season, Chicago Justice averaged a 1.12 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.10 million total viewers in live-plus-same-day Nielsen ratings, reflecting modest but insufficient performance relative to network expectations for the franchise. These figures underscored a retention challenge post-premiere, with the show failing to sustain the crossover boost in the key advertising demographic.

Depictions of the Justice System and Viewpoint Analyses

"Chicago Justice" portrays the system from the perspective of prosecutors in the Cook County State's Attorney's office, emphasizing their role in investigating, charging, and trying cases amid political and media pressures. Episodes typically follow a procedural format where the team confronts moral and ethical challenges, such as plea bargaining, witness credibility, and evidence admissibility, but resolutions often prioritize securing convictions to deliver "justice" for victims. This depiction aligns with Dick Wolf's established formula in the franchise, focusing on the inner workings of prosecution rather than defense strategies or systemic failures, as seen in the series' exploration of cases involving police use of force, , and high-profile crimes. Critics have analyzed the show's viewpoint as inherently pro-prosecution, reinforcing narratives where and prosecutors overcome obstacles to uphold order, even when procedural irregularities occur. For example, the episode centers on prosecuting a for excessive force resulting in a Black suspect's death, framing the incident as a complex individual failing rather than indicative of broader institutional issues, which some observers argue glosses over real-world accountability gaps in use-of-force cases. Similarly, episodes like (Season 1, Episode 9) address gun rights and control following a fatal shooting, presenting Second Amendment defenses alongside victim advocacy but ultimately skeptical of expansive regulatory responses. This prosecutorial lens has drawn commentary for potentially misrepresenting the adversarial nature of trials, where defense perspectives are secondary and convictions are depicted as routine outcomes despite empirical data showing U.S. plea rates exceeding 90% and trial acquittals in under 1% of federal cases. Analyses from perspectives highlight instances where the series justifies aggressive tactics, such as in handling constitutional during investigations, echoing patterns in Wolf's oeuvre that prioritize narrative closure over rigorous scrutiny. While mainstream reviews praise its authenticity, such as prosecutors employing dedicated investigators—a practice mirrored in reality—others contend it cultivates public acceptance of shortcuts, contributing to cultural underestimation of wrongful convictions, which affect approximately 4-6% of U.S. cases per estimates.

Cancellation and Legacy

Reasons for Cancellation

NBC announced the cancellation of Chicago Justice on May 23, 2017, after its single 13-episode season concluded, marking it as the only entry in the One Chicago franchise not to be renewed. The primary reason cited by NBC executives was the show's comparatively weak performance and challenges in sustaining it within the franchise. Entertainment Chairman stated in August 2017 that Chicago Justice was "the hardest Chicago show to sustain," pointing to scheduling difficulties and the need to allocate limited slots amid broader lineup decisions, such as the temporary removal and subsequent revival of Timeless. The series had debuted to solid numbers on March 1, 2017, with 6.65 million viewers and a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic, but experienced a soft midseason run that placed it on the bubble. Viewership metrics further underscored the decision, as Chicago Justice averaged around 5-6 million total viewers per episode and a 1.5 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic (Live+7), trailing its siblings: Chicago Fire at 2.3, and Chicago P.D. at 1.9 each. Despite outperforming some renewed NBC series like Blindspot and Taken in raw averages, the network prioritized franchise cohesion and space for non-Chicago programming, viewing four interconnected shows as one too many for long-term viability. Analyses also highlighted structural overlaps with Dick Wolf's Law & Order franchise, particularly in its courtroom-focused procedural format, which may have diluted its distinctiveness and contributed to NBC's reluctance to expand the Chicago brand further at the time. Greenblatt's comments emphasized strategic portfolio management over outright failure, though the show's midseason launch limited its opportunity to build momentum compared to full-season entries.

Franchise Impact and Potential for Revival

Chicago Justice, the fourth installment in the One Chicago franchise, sought to expand the shared universe by focusing on the Cook County State's Attorney's office, introducing prosecutors and investigators who interacted with first responders from Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med. However, its single-season run from March 1 to May 24, 2017, limited its integration, with the series averaging 5-6 million total viewers per episode and a 1.1 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic, trailing its counterparts by nearly a full point in key metrics. This underperformance marked it as the franchise's weakest performer, prompting NBC to cancel it on May 22, 2017, after a soft midseason launch, thereby curtailing further narrative expansion into legal proceedings and reinforcing the core trio's dominance. The show's legacy within the franchise persists through character crossovers, such as Assistant State's Attorney Mark Jefferies appearing in Chicago P.D. episodes and actress reprising her role as Assistant State's Attorney Anna Valdez in subsequent P.D. storylines, allowing selective continuity without sustaining the full series. These integrations provided minor narrative bridges but did not significantly alter the franchise's trajectory, which has since prioritized high-stakes emergencies over courtroom drama, as evidenced by ongoing renewals for the established shows amid stable viewership. The failure highlighted risks of franchise saturation, influencing producers like to avoid similar prosecutorial spin-offs in favor of proven formats. Prospects for revival remain dim as of October 2025, with renewing Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med for the 2025-2026 season while showing no interest in resurrecting Justice, despite occasional fan and critic speculation about its untapped potential in a post-cancellation landscape. Its redundancy with Wolf's procedurals, combined with historical ratings deficits, renders it expendable, and no official announcements from or indicate development, even as the franchise explores crossovers among the surviving series.

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