There are some sex scenes, usually a blanket covers up any nudity, you can still tell they are having sex because of moaning and movement.

In season 2, episode 11 - Shows a picture of a woman naked. Parts are covered but it doesn't leave much to the imagination

Some gore when they show a dead body. You will see limbs cut off and partly decomposed bodies.

Some autopsy gore including human organs visible; a human spleen is held up onscreen at one point.

There are some graphic rapes which can be quite violent and degrading, (but not in graphic detail). Women have their clothes ripped off and are sometimes held at gunpoint or by knife. Some are later seen with blood and bruises.

"Hell" is used several times in the show

Some sexual language is used: "whore" "slut" and "dick" are used a couple times.

The newer seasons have uses of "goddamn"

Throughout the show the profane words; "bastard", "bitch", "fag", "slut", "whore", their respective related variations, and minor profanity such as; "ass", "shit", "crap", etc. However, "asshole", "f*ck", and "n*gger", are never used.

A few uses of "damn" "bastard", etc.

Alcohol can be shown and crime that are committed under the influence. Alcohol is talked about drugs shown snorted and needle marks as well as were to find them. Also O.D. are shown in some episodes.

In season 11, a suicide attempt is shown where blood is gushing from a man's vein or artery for 2 to 3 seconds. Quite graphic and very disturbing.

"Streetwise" features a young homeless girl, roughly twelve years old, whose eyes are cut out and her mouth "slit from ear to ear"; she is said to have been tortured for twelve hours straight, causing her street "mother" to vomit and sob openly. The photo of the girl with bloody eye sockets is later seen on-screen.

This show may be emotionally intense and disturbing for some viewers in the sense that in the end, there is not always a "win" or a "justice" shown. (for example, despite best attempts, a rapist will get free and the victim will be left crying in the courtroom). There are also multiple episodes showing underage children committing crimes/sex crimes/lethal crimes to adults or other children older or younger, that might be disturbing to some.