The film's title is taken from a controversial English law court called the "Star Chamber" which was founded in 1487 by King Henry VII. This court sat at the Royal Palace of Westminster until 1641. The "Star Chamber" was so-called because the ceiling of the court where the judges met featured gold decorative stars. The court operated as a supplement to local justice processes where other courts of law could not for one reason or another enforce justice. This court took its name from another court also called the "Star Chamber" or "Starred Chamber" from the reign of King Edward II which functioned for meetings of the King's Council.
Intended to be Fox's big summer film for 1983, the film was pulled from most theaters after two weeks due to poor box office and replaced with Mr. Mom (1983), a film the studio had no faith in, that eventually became a big hit.
Roderick Taylor, the film's screenwriter, in this movie wanted to explore the legal loopholes and legal technicalities that allowed criminals to walk free and get off or get reduced sentences or receive parole, as well as the lobby groups that rallied for more punitive punishments for repeat offenders.
The picture's closing credits declare that the film was dedicated "For George-Ann". George-Ann is the first name of George-Ann Spota who is the wife of the movie's director Peter Hyams. The film references her last name with the naming of a character called Sergeant Spota (Robert Costanzo) something which is a trademark of director Hyams.