'Law & Order' Sneak Peek: Preview 'SVU' and 'LA' (VIDEO)

Terrence Howard takes up his first case in tonight's new 'Law & Order: Los Angeles' (10PM ET, NBC) and his character, Deputy District Attorney Joe Dekker finds that the line between victim and suspect can get very blurry.

"He's the moral compass of the show," Howard told TV Guide about Dekker. "He's always on the verge of being fired [for trying to do the right thing]."

In the episode, 'Echo Park,' a murderous cult member is found stabbed to death -- and the police trace clues to one of her former victims.

Preview 'Law & Order: Los Angeles'


Howard spent time researching his new role at the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, according to AHN. "We spent time in the judge's chambers. They gave us that opportunity, walked us through the courtroom," he said. "Then we mock played out some things."

He picked up a lot of tips from the attorneys there. "When you have a witness on the stand, you stand between that person and their attorney so they can't get cues from them," Howard said. "Picking up things like that, knowing to approach a particular defendant and speak with the authority of the law and just read as much information as you can on an individual case. You feel like you're actually there."

Before taking the role, Howard also called 'L&O' vet S. Epatha Merkerson to get the inside dish, executive producer René Balcer told Fancast. "I guess he got a thumbs up from her that he'd be treated well as an actor," Balcer said.

Making the series also has its lighter side, as proven in this behind-the-scenes moment featuring Howard:




Meanwhile, an hour earlier at 9PM ET, on 'Law & Order: SVU,' Detectives Benson and Stabler are surprised to discover a girl's hit-and-run death isn't what it appears to be -- and end up uncovering a human trafficking ring.

Preview 'Law & Order: SVU'


Plus: Go behind the scenes to watch a scene being filmed