The Law & Order franchise has seen a fair share of detectives cops and ADAs walk through their doors. Some more memorable than others but the best ADAs that stuck with fans came from SVU. Throughout the show’s time on television, it has had six ADAs with Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza) being a fan favorite who made his first debut in season 15.
His predecessors included Casey Novak (Diane Neal) who appeared early on in the series in seasons five through nine. Each ADA has their own style, conviction, drive, and dedication to the legal system. When it’s Novak versus Barba, one appealed more to humanity and compassion while the other made sure heinous criminals got behind bars.
Novak: Stuck To Her Role As ADA
It was no secret that Novak had a hard time relating to the detectives when she first arrived at SVU. She often butted head with Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson during cases. Her dedication to her role as an ADA would sometimes make things difficult as she couldn’t see the emotional side. Novak was often by the book and encouraged the detectives to be so too.
But it’s her perseverance in her role as an ADA that helped build solid cases to appear in front of a jury. Her dedication also came with a tough attitude that pushed witnesses and victims to think clearly, accurately and for the detectives to leave no stone unturned.
Barba: Saw Cases With Compassion And Does What’s Right
Compared to Novak, Barba became a fan favorite due to this outlook on cases and their victims. He held an immense level of compassion and often saw them as being right. In many instances, Barba was there to help Benson convince victims to file against their abusers. In “Funny Valentine,” he convinces a pop-star to stand in front of a jury and tell her truth and to not let her abusive boyfriend win.
One of the most memorable cases was when Barba went ahead with investigating the abuse of power and rape of female inmates by a parole officer. Despite being threatened, Barba didn’t let it phase him and became determined to win.
Novak: Saved A Victim
On her very first case with SVU, Novak and the squad work to stop a pedophile and rapist who kidnapped a young girl. In most circumstances, the ADA is not involved in the capture and detainment of a suspect. This case was different; Novak was able to conclude who the suspect was and that he was a fisherman.
She goes out of her way to go and rescue the young girl and bring her to safety. Her brave act also changed her as she felt she couldn’t handle the emotions and trauma of working with special victims. She asked for a transfer which was denied.
Barba: Returned As A Defense Attorney
Fans were gutted to see Barba leave the show in season 19. His caring and passionate character stuck with fans. But in a twist of events, news spread that Barba would return. In season 21, in the episode “Sightless in a Savage Land,” Barba is originally asked by Benson and Tutuola to help a war vet who killed his daughter’s abuser.
Barba instead decides to return to the courtroom and defend him. Even if it’s up against the new ADA Carisi, a former SVU detective. Barba is aware that the vet committed manslaughter but looks to the emotional aspect. A man who was never able to defend his daughter does so by killing her abuser who he thought was meant to protect her. Fans are aware that Barba’s return to the court is emotional after his reasoning for leaving in the first place.
Novak: Returned Even After Traumatic Events
Casey Novak is a tough cookie to crack. Her perseverance to push back, then return even after suffering traumatic experiences and becoming a victim herself, all make her worthy in anyone’s book. It also makes her a good ADA. In the episode “Night,” Novak is brutally beaten by the brother of a rape victim. Leaving her in intensive care.
Even after being brutally beaten, Novak returns to the case to seek justice. She manages to convince the original witness to testify. On two occasions, Novak was assaulted in court; one in season seven and held at gunpoint and the other in season nine and was choked.
Barba: Does What He Must In Court To Get A Conviction
Barba is well known for being a spitfire and tough in the courtroom. His methods prove to yield results even if it means putting himself at risk. A good example is in his first case with SVU. Realizing that his victim’s case could go down the drain after it’s revealed that she didn’t write her books, Barba gets creative.
In the case, the victim described being choked by the suspect. Barba decides to taunt the accused hoping he’ll crack and how his true colors. Barba invites him to take the belt around Barba’s neck and show exactly how he choked the victim. The accused gets too invested in the act and physically starts to choke Barba almost to a point of a blackout. The rapist is found guilty.
Novak: Held Her head High Against Those Who Underminded Her
As an ADA, someone has to be tough and resilient; even amongst colleagues in a cutthroat department. In the season nine finale, Novak takes a case personally and it gets her in hot water. A detective kills an officer and the team discovers he was looking into an old rape case. Novak’s conduct during the case and trial has her face a suspension.
The rumor mill starts and has everyone believe that Novak was disbarred. In reality, her license was revoked for three years. Seeing it as a minor set back, Novak returns with her head high. But her colleagues and the department now distrust her. Her first case back was challenged but Novak proves everyone wrong.
Barba: Changed His Views On The Legal System
It seems as though being assigned to SVU changes every ADA. Barba always saw the justice system as black and white. The victim, the suspect, and concrete evidence. During his time on the shows his methods and morals as an ADA change. Barba starts to see the world as “different shades of grey.”
Working with Benson had him change his outlook on cases and victims. Because of this, he becomes a more compassionate and emotional ADA that does what’s necessary for the victim or anyone proved to be innocent. Along the way, Barba also sees the deep corruption in the police force.
Novak: She’s Witty and Clever In The Court Room
Both Barba and Novak have impressive skills in the courtroom to get a conviction. When the follower of a serial killer commits murders as he depicted, Novak knows exactly where to strike. During the trial, she has him critique a crime scene photo, his distaste for the suspect’s lack of passion in the crime causes the suspect to lash out and reveal the truth.
Novak gets even with the serial killer and sends him to prison where he will be in solitude, 24 hours a day. No visitors, mail, or contact with the outside world. It’s like hell for him as he thrives on attention.
Barba: Risked His Career For Doing What He Believed Was Right
Barba has many memorable cases in the show. Fans can agree that the episode where Barba makes his initial departure from the show was emotional and heartbreaking. “The Undiscovered Country” was about a case of a missing infant on life support. The case divides the squad in taking sides in a right-to-die situation. The infant lived his whole life in a hospital room. Can’t see, talk, or live a full life.
It hits Barba the most as it parallels his own story of taking his father off life support. Barba sides with the mother who wants her child to die peacefully with no pain; he consoles her but the mother is unable to pull the plug. He decides for her and the child’s sake. Barba is put on trial and found not guilty but decides he can no longer work in a corrupt and unfair legal system.
