It seems that the main goal of Steven Bochco’s new legal series is to praise public defenders and to change people’s impressions about the justice system in general.

For this purpose, Bochco partnered with Seton Hall University law professor David Feige, who used to be a public defender and who wrote the 2006 criminal justice system memoir “Indefensible,” to help co-create “Raising the Bar.”

Feige expressed his disappointment at the way that TV shows have so far depicted public defenders and the justice system in general, and said that this series would accurately portray lawyers appointed to represent defendants at public expense, The Associated Press informs.

Talking about the sets, Feige said TV shows have constructed a completely wrong impression, as, for example, his office in the Bronx was “in a loft that was a converted ice factory,” “had 40-foot ceilings,” and “was gorgeous.”

Feige goes on complaining that “everything that has ever portrayed our world has gotten it insultingly wrong,” such as the portrayal of public defenders as “schlubby, disillusioned, generally incompetent people who can't get other jobs.” He recalls that his Bronx office used to hire people from Harvard and Yale, unbelievable as it may seem.

The main character in “Raising the Bar” is Jerry Kellerman, an idealistic lawyer that is similar to Feige in his years as a public defendant in aspects such as the hair. Many people have mocked Kellerman’s shabby looks, especially the hair, saying it was a disastrous consequence of the director’s desire to make him look idealistic and brave.

“People are so obsessed with the hair,” Gosselaar said on the set, as quoted by The Associated Press. “The truth is I was between roles, just being lazy and letting it grow out. When I came onto this project, both Stephen and David wanted me to keep it long. I think it really suits Jerry.”

Gosselaar added that David told him he “really did go to trial with long hair, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.”

The former “Saved By The Bell” star said he was deeply grateful to Bochco, for helping him evolve, by giving him the role of Detective John Clark Jr. in "NYPD Blue," and also the role of Kellerman. He praised "NYPD Blue," describing it one of the best projects he had ever been a part of, and saying that “iconic producer” Bochco became like family for him in those four years.

“He had me in mind for ‘Raising the Bar.’ I’m completely flattered. I still feel like I’m indebted to him for ‘NYPD Blue’ - and now I’m indebted to him for this,” the actor said, as quoted by The Boston Herald.

Gosselaar admitted that he was initially hesitant to play a public defender, but he later realized that they “are very intelligent people who want to make a difference in the world.” He describes Kellerman as a caring person, who feels much for his clients. As said before, everyone participating in the series is praising the public defenders, even though Bochco said he was not taking their side against the prosecutors.

Oh, let’s not forget! The series also presents us with another real side of the people working in the justice system: they are incredibly good looking, making you wonder why they didn’t choose the easy way in life – being a model.