When you think about it, Law and Order is just the drama equivalent of cartoon comedies.
In South Park, the writers just go "what's currently relevant? Eric Cartman messes around with this thing."
In The Simpsons, the writers just go "what's currently relevant? Homer messes around with this thing."
In Family Guy, the writers just go "what's currently relevant? Peter messes around with this thing."
in Law and Order, the writers just go "what's currently relevant? Ice T and the gang solve a crime involving this thing."
There's no actual "hey here's a story we wanted to tell."