Original subtitles

What difference does it make?

after your 18th birthday, it was up to Judge Porter

sir, a jury of your peers has found you guilty on all counts.

Well, you were on trial in his court for insurance fraud,

Yes, Your Honor, we would.

I threw you out of court earlier.

Well, he's a very generous man.

I'll have her disbarred.

Nobody from his past that is willing to step forward

that the accused, Michael Porter,

You have spoken correctly.

Bailiff, remove this gentleman from my courtroom.

precedes you.

Let's get this show on the road.

That would be you, Mr. Porter.

All rise.

walk on technicalities.

Counselor, proceed.

Do you know the difference between sympathy and empathy?

PROSECUTOR: Ms. Sanders, how many cases did you

and vouch for his character?

Your Honor, motion to dismiss this witness.

Please, for once, be merciful.

Thank you.

to determine where you would be incarcerated,

And I vowed, if I was ever given the chance, that

is guilty of perverting justice.

according to the records.

Your Honor, Willy Frates has made a terrible mistake,

Now you've gone and got yourself arrested.

He always gives money to charity.

No, Your Honor.

And if he refuses to leave the building, put him under arrest.

Mr. Frates, you were found guilty

On what grounds?

I was the victim of a witch hunt.

And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

win in Michael Porter's court?

Thank you.

[THEME MUSIC]

in juvenile or adult prison?

Would you like to call any character witnesses?

And once the facts are revealed, you'll

I will be your advocate.

On On the grounds that it can't be Ramon Gonzales.

Under normal circumstances, I would

And he gives clothing to the poor.

would never happen on my watch.

You cannot sit there.

in Michael Porter's court.

Nonetheless, those were the charges?

Hold-- hold on a second there.

All right, all right.

have no choice by your own law but

Yes, sir.

Um, a quiz.

but not so terrible that he deserves

None.

Objection.

Do you dispute that verdict.

MAN: And why is that?

In accordance with the law, this court finds you guilty.

[CROWD LAUGHING]

recommend the harshest of sentences,

And what about poor Ramon?

Hm.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Porter, in this trial,

I will be this young man's advocate.

And he put you in the adult prison population?

This is highly irregular.

Because Ramon Gonzales is dead.

Yes.

Duly noted.

to find this man guilty and deserving

Not a single one.

the most severe punishment.

No, sir, I do not.

It's conflict of interest.

Everybody wants to judge the judge.

Sympathy is acknowledging another person's hardship.

[KNOCKING]

And you were tried by a jury of your peers and found guilty?

But this is absurd.

Now, back to your stations.

I have many others waiting to testify just like him.

And she appealed every one and lost, every one.

Be seated.

A wife cannot give testimony against a husband without

You hear that?

I have nobody to call.

good deeds are not admissible as evidence.

He has no priors, none.

BAILIFF: Judge Porter?

[GRIMACING]

Huh?

of the ultimate penalty.

JUDGE PORTER: Yeah, hey, darling.

Let's get this show on the road.

Mr. Porter, your definition of that word

You see, I, too, was unjustly sentenced.

Right from the defendant's mouth.

but I am feeling rather empathetic.

JUDGE PORTER: Yes.

Yes, sir.

the husband's prior consent.

I'm on my way home.

This court is now in session.

DR. SCHUMAN: That's correct.

Tell your buddies over at the ACLU I send my regards.

Ah.

Yes.

So I ask again, is he a good man?

Maximum security, same as my uncle.

All rise.

Yeah.

But you had many friends on the appeals court, did you not?

Settle down.

Your honor--

And all of them caught committing a crime.

PROSECUTOR: And what was the sentence handed

And because my client has spent most of his life

May I remind you, Mr. Porter, in this court,

Look, do me a favor.

Empathy is putting yourself in that person's place,

Counselor, have a seat.

Are you ready to call witnesses?

Yes.

All rise.

She can in this court.

And what happened in prison?

is irrelevant in this court.

Step forward, please.

What is it you want?

down to you by Michael Porter?

Yes, I have been harsh. I know that.

Whoa, whoa.

JUDGE PORTER: Well, yes.

Is there no one in this room who

Judge Porter?

I'm sorry, Mr Porter, but in this courtroom,

Happily, for you, I was condemned in your place.

Dig out those brochures on Florida you were showing me.

Do I get to make a statement or not?

in foster homes, under less than ideal circumstances,

I will not tolerate a lack of decorum in this courtroom.

Yes, they-- they respect my judgments up there.

Is this your doing?

you are the defendant?

Brace yourself.

will be this man's advocate?

That was so long ago.

I, uh--

Young man, your whole life, you've never had a break,

Oh.

They don't call him Maximum Mike for nothing.

Mrs. Porter, how long have you and Mr. Porter been married?

I suppose, in the ultimate sense--

May I remind you, Mr. Porter, you're in my court now.

there's only one judge.

We will now hear the case of Mr. Michael Porter versus Eternity.

Are you all right, sir?

feeling their hardship.

Do you know this man?

What does that have to do with anything?

I'm not here to harm you.

PROSECUTOR: Ramon, you were found guilty

Your Honor, may I recommend the harshest possible sentence

Please, have a seat.

I sure don't.

Yeah.

I took on your penalty.

If you persist, actions will be taken.

Retire?

I was assaulted by two lifers.

Your Honor, if the witness will answer the question,

have you?

Now, take your seat.

Take a seat please.

A lot of people have sympathy.

[CHUCKLING]

I'm asking that you please take that into consideration

in Michael Porter's court.

[SNIFFING]

Ha.

WILLY FRATES: No, Your Honor.

Oh, well, nearly 50 years now.

I'm here to save you.

Mr. Porter was particularly unjust to Willy Frates.

Yeah.

Mr. Frates, do you think that 10 years for a first time

it will be evident to the court.

for the defendant, eternal damnation?

All of it.

Wonderful.

Correct?

Brace yourself.

But, Your Honor, am I supposed to apologize for this?

Huh.

Will the defendant please rise?

Sir, how long have you known the defendant, William Frates.

But for the record, I plead not guilty.

None of us is good.

when passing sentence.

I have empathy.

Yeah.

[EXHALE]

They don't call him Maximum Mike for nothing.

Now, counsel, both of you, approach the bench.

MAN: Wouldn't it be a relief to not have to do that?

Proceed.

JUDGE PORTER: Well, maybe it's about time.

And then they got me with their shivs, 20 times.

Yes, sir.

You know, even for a guy with a God complex,

Let's find a place near a good church.

What was the sentence?

Will you be presenting character witnesses?

Of what?

You, you don't have either.

Have they been good years?

[LAUGHTER]

The accuser, he's been demanding you,

He gave him 10 years for a first time offense.

One year in a minimum security facility,

Your Honor, the defendant takes great pride

offense is harsh?

I knew Willy while he was in his mother's womb, Your Honor.

Well, yes.

Well, my uncle need a ride.

That's not very original, Mr. Porter.

Lydia?

How did you get in here?

They stabbed you to death.

What were we doing when--

Well, if it's a miracle, I had nothing to do with it.

Is that what I'm supposed to do?

William Frates, I sentence you to 10 years, 10 years

We--

Look, I didn't expect any justice

And I didn't know it, but he was doing a drive

It is.

you've crossed the line.

Your wife is right, Judge.

You were about to sentence the Frates kid.

I just wish he would retire so we

It is what the law called for.

You may step down, Mrs. Porter.

[CHUCKLING]

all but one month suspended.

In the same way you judge others, you will be judged.

in being a harsh judge.

Yeah.

wants to sift you like wheat, but, because of me, he

Mr. Porter, before I pass sentence,

I sentence you to one year probation.

I want to know, and I want to know right now.

and I sure didn't get any.

I want to talk to you about Willy Frates.

No, Your Honor, there are no character witnesses.

They stabbed him to death.

So were you his obstetrician, sir?

by for the 25th Street Diablos.

You really should retire.

We all know the law, Mr. Porter.

I'm asking you.

You didn't expect to get caught and brought

[CHUCKLING]

Thank you.

could enjoy the last few years of our lives.

Under supervision, of course.

A multiple homicide?

In fact, he's known among his colleagues and adversaries

Ah.

Do either of you know that mad man?

You know my wife?

in the state penitentiary.

Ouch.

Will the defendant please rise?

Not a particularly harsh sentence.

to justice, did you?

Yeah. Yes.

I haven't done that yet?

has no power over you.

Reconsider Willy's sentence.

But how many of us are capable of keeping it?

For my first witness, Your Honor, I call Dee Sanders.

And with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

[SIGH]

Really?

It was horrible.

This isn't about him.

Lydia, please.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

as Maximum Mike.

BAILIFF: No, sir.

would you like to enter a plea of mitigation?

No, Your Honor, we don't.

No further questions, Your Honor.

No, Your Honor.

Please, don't.

We're waiting.

Case closed. [GAVEL POUNDING]

Yes, case closed.

Lord, have mercy on me.

He was an upstanding member of society who had made a mistake.

No social workers, clergyman, letters of reference?

In the case of the State versus William Frates,

JUDGE PORTER: Wait.

Would you call your husband a just man?

He takes great pleasure in it.

I called Dr. Karl Schuman.

Well.

BAILIFF: All rise.

Yes, I do.

You see, Mr. Porter, I too am a stickler for the law.

This is about you.

You mean that degenerate I just sentenced.

Wait a minute.

Then what is your relationship to the defendant?

But I didn't know about it.

I warn you, I will not be made a fool of in my own courtroom.

BAILIFF: All rise.

Thank you, Mr. Gonzales.

I have no defense.

10 years?

Is the prosecution prepared to make its opening statement?

Well, go on, go on, go on.

I just figured he needed a ride, you know?

Oh.

You may step down, Ms. Sanders.

Your Honor--

That is a lie.

Will the defendant please stand?

I never did anything to her.

Well, my husband is a stickler for the law.

And she talks to you about me?

I'll be out in a minute.

Lord Jesus, thank you.

I'm forgiven?

JUDGE PORTER: Your Honor, the prosecution is out of line.

I'm his creator.

No.

MS. SANDERS: None, Your Honor.

sir, a jury of your peers has found

Still, he broke the law.

You never did anything for me either,

[GAVEL POUNDING]

You realize this is a miracle, don't you?

MS. SANDERS: Forgive me, Lord, but I do hate that man.

PROSECUTOR: And yet, you were convicted

Your Honor, please don't let that bizarre incident

It is, Your Honor.

Yes.

Yeah.

I mean that young man who didn't grow

The Court of Appeals is across town.

you guilty of all charges.

Counselor, are you trying to tell this court that this--

You can say that, yes.

There will be no further interruptions in this court.

He is.

for being an accessory to third degree murder?

or for any of my clients.

If I am no good, then absolutely nobody is any good.

[LAUGHTER]

Now, before I proceed to sentencing,

If you would advocate for Willy Frates, please,

Thank you very much, Willy.

up with all the opportunities and advantages that you had.

I started out as a court clerk.

And his savior.

He was guilty.

Would you please stand?

I call to the stand Willy Frates.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth.

influence your decision here in any way today.

Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

My trials were by the book.

I'll file an appeal as quickly as I can.

Dr. Schuman, you know Michael Porter?

PROSECUTOR: No further questions, Your Honor.

Yes, sir.

this nice young man has no advocates?

would defense like to enter a plea in mitigation?

In the case of the State versus William Frates,

[EXHALE]

I can't tell you how many times I watched rapists and murderers

Order, order in the court.

You cannot say otherwise.

Now, go and do likewise.

will you be an advocate for me?

PROSECUTOR: And because this happened just three days

You know, if that public defender put you up to this,

He is known to me, sir.

Your reputation for maximum allowable sentence

You can count on it.

For my next witness, I'd like to call Lydia Porter.

But is he a good man?

In the same way you judge others, you will be judged.

Will the defendant please take his seat?

No, I certainly can't.

For my last, witness I'd like to call Ramon Gonzales.

Your Honor, the facts will show

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