 Although the CSI effect is a recent phenomenon , it has long been recognized that media portrayals of the United States legal system are capable of significantly altering public awareness , knowledge , and opinions of it . A 2002 juror survey showed that viewers of the popular court show Judge Judy were greatly misinformed about the purpose of the judge within a courtroom . Earlier programs which may have affected public perception of " the legal or investigative systems " include Perry Mason ( 1957 – 66 ) , Quincy , M.E. ( 1976 – 83 ) and the Law & Order franchise ( 1990 – present ) . News media reports on criminal trials , extensive internet blogging , and the successes of the Innocence Project have also contributed to the increased public awareness of forensic science . Zuiker has stated that " ' The CSI Effect ' is , in my opinion , the most amazing thing that has ever come out of the series . " 
