Criminal Justice (2019) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Sexual content is moderate to strong. The series opens with a passionate sexual encounter between Aditya and Sanaya, showing partial nudity (buttocks) and intimate moments without explicit graphic detail. In prison, there are frequent allusions to forced male sexual acts and threats of rape, often used as a means of intimidation. A man threatens and mimics raping a woman.

Violence is strong and graphic, particularly within the prison setting. The central murder involves a brutal stabbing, with blood shown, though the exact act is not fully explicit. Prison violence includes gang fights, beatings, and stabbings which are depicted realistically and with blood. Aditya is involved in several fights, and injuries are clearly shown. A woman's finger is accidentally stabbed, showing blood.

Strong language is pervasive throughout the series, reflecting the gritty reality of the prison environment and the intense situations faced by characters. Hindi and English expletives are used frequently, with words like 'f**k,' 'sh*t,' and various Indian curses appearing in almost every episode, often in heated arguments or descriptions of violence.

Substance use is frequent and central to the plot. Aditya consumes ecstasy and alcohol during the fateful night, leading to his memory loss. Drug dealing and consumption are depicted openly within the prison, with characters like Mustafa and Layak involved in drug networks. There are scenes of characters smoking and drinking casually, and drug addiction is a recurring theme among inmates.

The series deals with intense mature themes including wrongful accusation, the failure of the justice system, the psychological toll of incarceration, survival in a hostile prison environment, and the corruption within both the legal system and prison. Themes of coercion, intimidation, and the breakdown of family relationships under extreme stress are also prominent.