Visible crew/equipment: Tutuola is speaking with Violet Tremain, the mother of Cherish Doe in a room at the station. As she stands up, a microphone pole is visible in the mirror behind her. (00:09:55)
Visible crew/equipment: When Benson and Tutuola make a visit to M.E. Warner, the reflection in the glass shows a crew member holding a microphone. (00:20:10)
Visible crew/equipment: When the ex cop is brought in, as he's sitting down to talk with Elliot, the microphone box/equipment is visible on the back of his pants. (00:29:20)
Visible crew/equipment: As Benson and Stabler are interviewing the grandmother, the mirror behind Stabler briefly shows a microphone that peeks into view. (00:34:00)
Visible crew/equipment: As Benson and Stabler are walking along the sidewalk talking to the manager of the locksmith company, they pass by two red vans and stop in front of the second one. In the reflection of the van and the window there is a boom mic and a cameraman blatantly visible for more than 15 seconds. (00:18:05)
Visible crew/equipment: Benson and Stabler are arriving at Judge Thornburg's place of residence as they learn he's been shot. As their vehicle squeals to a stop, you can see multiple crew members and equipment in the reflection of their maroon car. (00:19:00)
Character mistake: Detective Stabler and ADA Cabot go to talk to Allen and Hannah Cooper in the courthouse, and Ottis Toole, the alleged murderer of Adam Walsh, comes up into the conversation. Stabler states that Toole died of AIDS on death row, when, in fact, Toole died of cirrhosis (liver damage). (00:27:15)
Visible crew/equipment: After Cragen and Cabot meet with and Mark Sanford and his attorney, Cragen storms out of the building, followed by Cabot. As the camera pans following them, you can see the reflection of a microphone in the reflection of the windows of the silver car in the foreground. (00:18:00)
Revealing mistake: After the detectives bust the cops while Undercover, Alex Cabot enters the interrogation room with Lorna Frankel. Shortly after, someone holding a white box is coming into view just outside the doorway. Benson is waiting for her cue to enter the room.
Secrets (a.k.a. Apartment to Die For) - S2-E12
Visible crew/equipment: After the detectives bring in the fifteen adults from the swingers' club to the police station, Benson and Stabler bring in one of the men to the interrogation room. Right when they enter, an overhead microphone is visible in the top left-hand corner of the mirror behind them.
Visible crew/equipment: When Munch and Tutuola are 'apologizing' to the campus security cop, they all walk through a doorway with an open door. In the window of this door, you can see a crew member mirrored from behind, holding a overhead microphone (possibly a light), using a long pole.
Pixies (a.k.a. Little Women) - S2-E9
Visible crew/equipment: When Benson and Stabler are questioning Kyle Hubert about Kristi, there is a shot where the detectives are being shown through a large mirror in the background. A large camera is visible in the mirror on the left-hand side, next to Benson.
Continuity mistake: At the beginning of the episode, Alvin Maddox looks over the counter to discover the body. Her underwear is around her right ankle. Later, when Stabler is examining the body, the underwear has shifted to be around her left ankle.
Visible crew/equipment: Munch and Tutuola have just arrived at Victor Coe's apartment. As they enter the living room there is a mirror on the right hand side. In the reflection you can see a man holding a camera. (00:14:05)
Other mistake: When Fin is looking at the drivers licenses of Vance and Trish, both as listed as female with identical birth dates.
Character mistake: Once Cabot's law-breaking is revealed to her, Benson, as an officer of the law, would be obligated to arrest her but doesn't.
Other mistake: When Warner sprays the victim's neck during the autopsy to check for copper, the victim has a pulse.
Other mistake: When Stabler, Benson, and Cabot are talking to Mrs. Cleary about the jewelry, Mrs. Cleary excuses herself to take a phone call. When the camera is on Cabot, Mrs. Cleary is in the background mirror moving her mouth although she is not saying anything.
Answer: I didn't see the show so I don't know the details. A general answer would be because a reckless endangerment charge is easier to prove "beyond a Reasonable Doubt" in court and get a conviction. This charge would not require the prosecutor to prove intent, which would be required for proving aggravated or simple assault. Also, if there were no visible injuries, it is difficult to show bodily injury. Just because the reckless endangerment charge was specifically mentioned, it does not necessarily mean there were not other charges filed. Police often make multiple charges, like lesser-included offenses, so that the defendant's act will fall under one of them if the legal requirements are not met for the others, if they are not sure of the best charge to make (the district attorney knows and can decide), or to have something to plea bargain with.
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