Cragen notes that one of the convicts the victim was writing to was in prison for first degree manslaughter and that he was given the maximum sentence and served "12 of the 15 years of his sentence". 15 years is not the maximum sentence for manslaughter in the first degree, it is a class B felony meaning it carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. 15 years is the maximum sentence for a class C felony, such as manslaughter in the second degree.
Several of the prison inmates the victim was writing to were convicted of murder in the first degree, which ties with aggravated murder as being the most severe crime in the state of New York. Yet their records indicate they were sentenced to 15-20 years in prison, which is not possible for a class A-I felony, especially murder one. The absolute minimum sentence for murder one and aggravated murder is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, though this sentence is rarely handed down. By far the most common sentence for murder one and aggravated murder is life in prison without the possibility of parole, though the death penalty is also a possible sentence for both.
Raymond Dayton's criminal record indicates that he was convicted of murder in the second degree and sentenced to 20-25 years in prison. This sentence is not possible as murder two is a class A-I felony and carries a mandatory life sentence, with a minimum requirement of serving 15 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole; however with murder two the most common sentence is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. So there is a difference between a sentence of 25 years and "25 to life" as someone sentenced to 25 years in prison is free and clear once they serve their sentence; whereas someone that was sentenced to "25 to life" may be able to get out of prison after 25 years but they will remain on parole for the rest of their life.
When Benson and Stabler pull up in front of the judge's house, the camera crew is reflected in the side of their car.