All language subtitles for Equal.Justice.S01E02.Balancing.Act.1080p.AMZN.DDP2.0.H.264-BTN_4_text

[Mike] We, uh...

We understand the problems
that you're facing here.

[chuckles]

And believe me,
you're not alone.

We want you to know
that the district
attorney's office

is here to work
with you, to...

alleviate criminal activity here
in the housing projects.

[woman] They said that
last time.

And we know
that won't be easy.

But we are prepared to
pull out all the stops to--

And make your housing project

a model for other communities
facing the same problems.

-[crowd] That's right.
-After all,

the laws were made
to protect everybody.

We are all part
of a community of man.

-[man] Yeah.
-[crowd] Yeah!

You've heard
this song before.

Sung a little differently
each time.

Six months ago, the police
promised us 24-hour patrol.

I ain't seen a one yet.

Two months ago,
a politician stood right
where you're standing

and talked about
access to urban
redevelopment funds.

Well, he just accessed himself
right on out of here
and hasn't been back since.

So what makes you different?

Your concerns are legitimate.
We're trying to--

No, what you're trying
to do is placate us.

All we've learned
from all of your speeches

is that we're on
our own down here.

No one's doing a damn thing
to help us.

[applause]

What are you doing
to help yourselves?

No, really.

What are you doing
to help yourselves?

It's easy to point
a finger, but I've, uh--

I've had ten cases dismissed
this month alone,

because none of you
would come forward to testify.

Uh, I've got, uh,
another one this week.

A, uh-- a Mrs. Edna Davis,
age 67.

Maybe some of you recall.

She was attacked
in broad daylight

in front of several
eyewitnesses,

beaten because she
wouldn't hand over her

welfare check to some punk
with a steel pipe.

Someone who has
terrorized this project
on several occasions.

Despite everything
pending against him,
we can't do a thing.

Now, when Mrs. Davis
was in the hospital,
she identified him.

But now, even she won't talk.

If we talk,
we'll be beaten.
We'll be killed.

You're being beaten anyway.
You're being killed.

You've got crap
in the elevators,
urine in the hallways.

The crack dealers
have you prisoners
in your own homes.

Now, I'm not a politician,
so I'm not going to
make any promises.

But I would like
a little cooperation.

I personally would like to
get these guys off the street.

But I can't put them away
without your help.

[baby crying]

[woman scoffs]

If, uh--

And if you have
any questions,

I'll be more than happy
to answer them.
Thank you for showing up.

[indistinct chatter]

No, they're not gonna
do anything.

Uh, excuse me?

If you have a name,
I'd like to know
who my opposition is.

Delia Wayne.

I work for a privately
funded housing coalition.

And I am not
the enemy, counselor.

-Neither am I.
-Oh?

But let me
prove it to you.

I've heard that line
before, too.

Anyone in here who used
to own a red convertible?

Oh, no.

Well, so much
for the community
outreach program.

[opening theme music playing]

♪
Living in a real world
♪

♪
We try to rise above
♪

♪All we see, searching for
something to believe♪

♪One day you'll find
you can make a life♪

♪That's worth living through♪

♪If you are living
for the truth♪

♪All that we're trying
to win♪

♪Feels like a mountain
to climb♪

♪We can make it over
over time♪

♪Hold on♪

♪Hold on♪

♪We can make it over
over time♪

♪Hold on♪

♪Hold on♪

♪We can make it over
over time♪♪

When the tenants got real quiet,
I thought we were history.

Searls, did they
find your car?

[laughter]

Is the jury still out
on the counselor woman
ravage case?

Three days. I'd love to know
what's going on.

[man] Vacuuming again,
are we, Julie?

Some people pace,
I vacuum.

Do you use
all of your attachments?

[laughter]

Okay, Searls,
People versus Maggie Sue Martin.

Multiple counts of fraud.
Bring me up to date.

Ten lonely, panting,
middle-aged dentists
ready to take the stand.

Scam for 50k each
on a phony land deal.

Now picture this,
the defendant lying
back in a chair,

mouth wide open,
low-cut dress,
the dentist polishing,

trying to concentrate,
but staring at a set of molars
the size of Toledo.

She convinces
each one of them she's got
the deal of the century.

She must have
the cleanest teeth
in town.

[Gene] Who's her attorney?

Public Defender's Office,
Peter Bauer.

PD, what happened
to all her money?

Claims she lost it.
I'm going to nail her.

Glanzmann found a few
skeletons in her closet.

Miss Honey Coated,
star of Lucy Does Louisville
and
Splendor in the Baths.

[laughter, hooting]

Hey, hey, hey, hey,
over here, over here, please.

Thank you.

-Briggs.
-Yes?

Uh, my murder,
one Maynard,

the guy who
shot the paramedic.

Uh, last night,
I get a phone call
from a guy in lockup

by the name of Jake Burns.

Burns, Mike, was the guy
who assaulted the old lady
in the projects.

He overheard Maynard
in the yard.

He admitted
to everything in detail.

So I'm thinking
I can get Burns to testify

if we dismiss the two cases
pending against him.

That's yours and Dubinsky's.

I've already
talked to Dubinsky.
It is a weak case.

He'll dismiss it.

-[Gene] Well?
-Can't do it.

Mike, I'm sitting
on murder one here.

And granted that your guy
is a slime bucket,

but he can win
my case for me.

[Gene] What's the status
of your case?

-Trial tomorrow.
-Witnesses?

-What about your victim?
-Nothing yet.

Come on, Mike.

I... I won't dismiss,
not yet.

But I'll let him out of
his own recognizance.

I don't think
he's gonna go for that.

-Tell him that's
the best we can do.
-Okay.

Anything else?

Okay, take no prisoners.

Oh, Julie, remind me
about the cigars.

-[Julie] What?
-Cigars.

I got to pick up
a box for my dad.

Can't get those kind
in our neck of the woods.

Oh, yeah. What about
your plane ticket?

Should be in today's mail.
Oh, just think,

36 more hours from now,
I'm going to be home.

-Mmm.
-I can't wait.

Home.

[Briggs] Four armed robberies,

four dismissals.

Attempted rape, dismissed.

Assault with
a deadly weapon,
dismissed.

You have two cases
pending against you.

So, the best I can do
is get you out O.R.

Let me make it simple.

You want me to testify
for the prosecution,

then you've got to
give me what I want.

And what I want
is to go home to Mama.

No strings.

You heard him
admit to everything?

The whole thing.

He said he shot the guy
at the target practice.

All right. I'm going to
dismiss the attempted murder.

But you'll have to stand trial
on Mr. James' case this fall.

I told you, no strings.

Have it your way, kid.

We don't need him.

Let him rot.

[scoffs]

I can have you out
in one hour.

Let's roll.

Okay.

I knew it when
they walked in.

They looked right at me.

One of them even nodded.

Guilty.

-Sweet, isn't it?
-It's better than sex.

-[knocking at door]
-Yeah.

Uh, I'll see you later?

Yeah.

Excuse me.

Uh, um, Miss Wayne,
please, have a seat.

-I'm sorry.
-Thanks,

but there's someone
I'd like you to meet.

Out here.

Okay.

[Mike] Thank you.

How are you, Mrs. Davis?

Still breathing.

I know how hard this must be
for you to be here.

Delia told me
I should come see you.

Now, I'm not saying
I'm ready to talk in court,
but I'll hear you out.

I'm glad you came.

I have to tell you, though,
Mrs. Davis,

Jake Burns was released
from custody this morning.

-He's free?
-I don't believe this.

Burns is testifying for us.
Part of the deal was

that he'd be released
on his own recognizance.

-You sold us out.
-I had no idea
you would show.

I did have a chance
for a murder conviction,
so I took it.

Delia, please, take me home.

I shouldn't have come.

He said he'd get me
if I came.

-Mrs. Davis,
I can still try Jake Burns.
-He'll come after me.

As long as he was in jail,
it might have been okay.

But...

some of them
watched him beat me.

Nobody helped. And nobody
will help me now, either.

I can protect you,
and your testimony
can put him in prison.

You can't guarantee that!

It's her word against his.
We've got a good shot.

How many more assaults
is this guy gonna get away with

before somebody
does something to stop him?

You're the one who put him
back on the street.

-I'll set Mrs. Davis up
in a hotel. You'll be safe.
-For how long?

This could drag on for months.

-Give me a week.
-Too long.

-I can't.
-One day.

The end of the
business day is tomorrow.

If I don't go to trial by then,
I'll dismiss this case.

Jake Burns won't even know
that you've been here.

You can't pull this off.

24 hours.
What have we got to lose?

I'll put you
on the stand first.

All you have to do is
tell the jury what happened.

Tell the truth. Identify him.
And that's all.

[sighs]

I probably should have just
handed that money over to him.

Then he wouldn't have hurt me.

I saw that metal pipe
in his hand.

I didn't think he'd do it.

That welfare check
was all I had.

I couldn't just give it away.

Not without a fight.

Uh, eight o'clock,
and I'm already beat.

I forgot to tell you--
Oh, is that a new outfit?

-No, just a blouse.
-That's nice.

Your mom called
just after you left

and wanted to know
if you'd gotten the cigars.

Oh, no.
I've gotta pick 'em up.

And I've got to call
the travel agent

'cause I never did
get my ticket.

-Where are you going?
-I'm going home.

It's my dad's 50th birthday.

Did they tell you
the entire family
is going to be there?

You told me the entire
family's going to be there.

I'm never gonna
make it through this day.

-I've got six appearances
in five different courtrooms.
-Oh.

I need your opinion about
this gift I got for my dad.

See, I normally get him
a necktie, right?

But he's been complaining
to my mom about back pain,
so I got him that.

Hi, is this Skyway Travel?

Oh, Betty, hi.
It's Jo Ann Harris.

Hi.

Oh, you have it.

Yeah, I suppose
I could come by after work.

My flight's at 7:00.

So how late
do y'all stay open?

Okay, I'll see you then.

All right.

So what do you think?

[clears throat]
Well, I think you'll like it.

I mean, um, it-- it certainly
makes a statement, huh?

Oh, uh, Jo Ann, Julie,
this is my brother,
Peter Bauer.

-Hi, nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.

-Hi.
-Nice to meet you.

-Hi.
-That's, um--

They don't supply these
to the public defenders.

I tell you guys,
you get all the perks.

You're in the PD's office?

I've been working there
a couple of weeks.

-I had been working up
in Madison County.
-That's nice.

At first, I was a little wary,
with sis over my shoulder.

But I think things
are going to be great.

You guys take it easy
on him, okay?

-He's still my baby brother.
-Oh, we won't.

I mean, um, we-- we will.

-See you.
-See you in court.

Nice.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Sure, boss, I'll be right in.

-Okay.
-Uh-oh.

It can't be about a case.
I mean, I haven't had a case.

-Good luck.
-Oh, thanks. See you later.

Miss Martin had a good bite.
Not exceptional.

A little over,
like Gene Tierney.

She did, however, express
to me her concern about
her ability to masticate.

Dr. Lowenstein, at what time,
if any, did you become aware

of the fact that Miss Martin
was an ex-porno queen?

-Objection, Your Honor.
-Who used the name
Miss Honey Coated.

-[Peter] Your Honor.
-Objection sustained.

Will counsel please
approach the bench?

[clears throat] Give me.

I'd better get a look
at this piece of evidence
before we go any further.

Court will be in recess
for 15 minutes.

[music playing on TV]

[Miss Martin]
Come here
to mama, little boy.

Stop that.

It feels good, doesn't it?

[heavy breathing]
You want me to do what?

Okay.

Nice try, Searls.

Oh, it's an interesting film,
but way too inflammatory.

You go ahead.

I'll, uh--
I'll be right down.

[door opens]

-Me?
-[Gene] Yeah.

You've been asking me
for something bigger.
This is it.

The West End burglary ring.

Michael Lou is in the hospital.

Broke his collarbone during
a pickup basketball game.

Gene, I know that I have been
asking for more responsibility.

It's just that today,
I'm already all over
the planet.

It's not a trial, Jo Ann.
It's grand jury.

I need somebody to cover,
and today, you are all I've got.

The case is ready.
The victim's prepped.
You will be fine.

Well, today of all days.

Okay. If you can't handle it.

No, no. I can handle it.

-I can handle it.
-Good.

Downstairs, 10 a.m.

10 a.m.

[lively classical music playing]

Briggs. Briggs, I need you
to stand up and man
a couple of appearances.

Why do you think
he cannot feel the pain

-and the suffering
and the horror?
-Briggs!

Because he's deceased.

He's got his final argument
in ten minutes.

Oh. Oh, wait.
Mike. Mike.

-Do you think--
Do you think--
-What?

Appear for me.

-You can't be serious.
-Yes.

-No.
-No.

-No.
-[phone ringing]

[woman] Ma'am,
please get the phone.

Felony Bureau.

Mom, is that you?

Yes, I got your message.
I'm-- I'll get them.

Barca Supremo, uh-huh.

Mom, I have to go.
I have to be in court.

Yes, I know you are, Mom.
I-- I know you are.

Thank you. Mom--
I'm gonna see you tonight.

Okay. Goodbye.
You're not going to
believe this.

-I'm due in grand jury
at ten o'clock.
-Congratulations.

I've got appearances
scheduled at the same time.
Can you do them?

-I have to be
in trial at 11 o'clock.
-Please.

-Are those the files?
-Yes.

All right, the first case
is tailored.

It's possession
of illegal weapon.

Just get a continuance
any day next week.

And on the Jay Beck
solicitation,

just see if you can plead it
out, all right?

-Okay.
-You are a lifesaver.

-Thank you so much.
-You're welcome.

Oh, wait, Julie, Julie, Julie,
when Debbie gets back,

ask her if there's a cigar--
a tobacco store around here.

I need a box of Barca Supremo
cigars delivered.

-Okay.
-Thank you.

That's a filthy habit,
Jo Ann. Give it up.

Bye.

[woman] Mrs.-- Mrs. Lytton?

Mrs. Catherine Lytton?

I'm Jo Ann Harris. I'll be
handling this grand jury
proceeding today.

Mr. Lou had an accident,
a broken collarbone.

What exactly is going on,
Ms. Harris?

Don't try and con me.
I canceled a very important
meeting in Cleveland

to appear here today
on the understanding

that this case
was indictable on its face.

Instead, I arrive here
and find out

there are nine defense
witnesses testifying

in behalf of the man
who burglarized my home.

Nine witnesses? I'm sorry,
nobody said anything--

Counsel for the defendant,
over there.

Excuse me, please.

Excuse me.

Wait, Mr. Bates, I'm the ADA
in the Rossetti case.

What's this
about nine witnesses?

Actually, ten, including
testimony of Mr. Rossetti.

I mean, is that
really necessary?

This is a grand jury,
not a trial.

Listen, after this
proceeding is through,

there won't be a trial.
We have unimpeachable evidence.

Mr. Rossetti was nowhere
near the West End on the day
in question, he was working.

His employer,
that gentleman over there,
and the eight men

who worked beside him
on that day
will testify to that.

If you were looking
for an easy indictment,
you picked the wrong case.

Look, I have
to make an appearance
in another courtroom,

-but I'm gonna be back--
-What do you mean?

They said we start
in half an hour.

What are you gonna
do about this?

Have you any experience
in grand jury?

Yes, I've conducted several.

Define several.

Two.

I want you to know
I'm calling your bureau chief

to file a formal complaint.

That's your prerogative,
Mrs. Lytton.

But right now,
I am due in court.

Excuse me.

[classical music resumes]

[judge] Counselors,
remember, 15 minutes.

I only have one matter to handle
before we resume trial.

Would you mind waiting outside?

[judge] Mr. James,
what case are you here on?

Burns, Jake Burns.

Don't tell me.
Let me guess.

You aren't ready.
Your witnesses are unavailable.

-Your Honor.
-You'd like to make a motion
to continue the matter?

No, Your Honor.
The people are ready.

Your Honor, Claude Peterson,
Public Defender's Office.

We assumed this matter
would be continued.

In fact, it was
my understanding

that the defendant
was not even required
to appear today.

This is Mr. Mark's case.
I'm just standing in for him.

He's making
an appearance in 4E.

Yes. Very well, Mr. Peterson.

The matter will be continued,
and for the last time.
What do we have next month?

Your Honor, the People
need to go to trial
on this matter today,

or our witness will again
become unavailable.

Mr. James,
I can't help you.

I would have had to put
the matter over regardless.

The trial in recess now.
It won't be over for a week.

What if I get another
courtroom and a judge

who will be able to put
the matter on for today?

Your Honor, the court
can't make an order like that.

-There's no way that--
-Mr. Peterson,
this is my courtroom.

I don't need your opinion
as to what this court
can or cannot do.

Your office has proclaimed
readiness for months now,

and has been
badgering me

with regard
to the non-prosecution

on the part
of the D.A.'s office.

I'm ordering you
to have your client

and yourself ready
for trial today.

Mr. James, go see
the presiding judge.

Happy hunting.

[Delia] Yes, you're right.
I think so too.

-Mrs. Davis,
I'll be right back.
-Now where are you going?

I'm going upstairs to
the presiding judge's office

and try and get a courtroom.
It's a long shot.

What are you
trying to prove?

I'm not trying
to prove anything.

I'm trying to
get a courtroom.

You are just too full
of it to admit

that you can't
make this happen.

We made a deal.
That's why I'm here
busting my ass.

And the last thing I need
is for you to be on it.

You put on a good show, okay?

But to drag Mrs. Davis
all around this courthouse

with her expecting to run into
Jake Burns around every corner
is insane.

There's no way
we'll start trial today.

Oh, no? Watch me.

[judge] The trial in 5B
has gone over.

We're gonna have to
continue your matter
for three days.

[man] I was supposed
to be on last week.

-My client's in lockup.
-That's the best I can do.

Shorten your time, I might
be able to get you in sooner.

-Judge.
-Good morning, Mr. James.

I need a courtroom today.

Oh, no problem.
Which one would you like?

I've got a defendant out O.R.
who's threatened my witness.

I'll lose her
if I don't start trial today.
Exigent circumstances.

-Exigent circumstances.
-[laughter]

How many times
have I heard that
this morning alone?

Take a number, counselor.

-Come back in this Saturday.
-Excuse me.

Excuse me. Damn it!

Excuse me. I'm sorry.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Please, excuse me.

-Who's in 4C?
-Oh, Jesus.

-Howard, no. 4A, no.
2A, Searls and Bauer.
-Mike.

-Who's the judge? Franklin.
-I'm losing my patience.

2A. Excuse me.
Pardon me, excuse me.

-The trial's in till
the end of the week.
-Excuse me. Sorry. Excuse me.

-Julie? Julie, you're not
going to believe it.
-Jo Ann?

There is a busload full
of witnesses for
the defense down there.

Rogan told me
this was a simple indictment.

So I told him
I can handle it.

Now everything's--
What's wrong?

Judge Thompson threw a fit
that you weren't there.

So she put it over
to tonight.

-You have night court.
-What?

No, I can't. I can't.

My plane,
it's my father's party.

Look, I can't even think
about that.

Now I have to
get to grand jury.

Will you help me
for a second, please?

-Uh...
-Please, please.

All right?

-Okay.
-State versus Lester.

We've superseded
a previous indictment

for burglary with a newer one
for armed robbery.

[judge] Harrison,
case number 89-42752.

[man] Charles Douglas appearing
for the defendant, Your Honor.

Jo Ann Harris on behalf
of the people, Your Honor.

Is Mr. Lester present?

Yes, Your Honor, in custody.

The people move to dismiss
case number 89-42762

and arraign the defendant
on the superseding indictment,
case number 89-42752.

-Jo Ann, I--
-That's all right.
I can handle this.

Mr. Douglas, you waive
the reading of the rights
and the charges.

And how will
the defendant plead?

Yes, and the defendant
pleads not guilty.

The defense moves to have
Mr. Lester released
on his own recognizance.

Jo Ann, you dismissed
the wrong case.

-What?
-You dismissed
the wrong case.

Oh, my God.

Your Honor, I've made--
I've made an error.

I meant to dismiss case
number 89-42752, not 89-47262.

Counselor, you already
made your motion.

I've already done the paperwork.

The case is dismissed.

Your Honor,
may I approach, please?

You may.

Your Honor,
with all due respect,

you must know that
you have the discretion
to reinstate that case.

You must also know
that if you don't,

I will most likely be fired
within the hour.

Okay, counselor, this time.

Thank you.

All right,
I've got four minutes.

-Can you handle it from here?
-Yep.

-Thank you.
-Good luck.

Thanks.

Dr. Lowenstein, did you
engage in sexual intercourse

with a defendant,
Maggie Sue Martin?

I prefer to think of it
as a relationship.

Where did this
relationship take place?

[clears throat]
On the dental chair
in the X-ray room.

-[laughter]
-Thank you.

Now, isn't it a fact
that at the time

this relationship
took place,

you had previously
consummated your business
dealings with my client,

she had already received
your check for $50,000?

We're in the middle
of a trial.

-[Dr. Lowenstein]
That's correct.
-Do it.

Your Honor, may we
approach the bench?

Certainly.

May I request
a short recess, please?

It's almost lunchtime now.

To discuss a plea, Your Honor.

Oh, why didn't you say so?

The court will stand
in recess for 20 minutes.

But your own witnesses
aren't even on your side.

Really? Just wait till
we put Miss Honey up on cross.

-Oh, Jesus.
-Ease up!

Both of you know this case
is not worthy of trial.

-I said that from the beginning.
-I offered you a deal.

-What do you want?
-Straight probation.

10 counts of larceny, Peter.
You've got to do better.

-Two to four.
-No jail time.
She's got no priors...

-I don't care.
-You don't care.

Hi!

[Christopher
and Peter arguing]

What about,
um, restitution?

She's still got the money?

She says she doesn't. Why?

Even if she's found
not guilty, which I doubt,

even if Franklin suspends
jail time, which I doubt,

they're still going
to sue for the money.

Eventually,
they're gonna get it back.

So if you go
for restitution,

we'll take that and recommend
straight probation.

Mike. Mike.

What are you
trying to do here?

-I need your courtroom.
-Great.

But you start negotiating
deals with the enemy?

A deal that you should have
made months ago if you
hadn't been so pig-headed.

Putting that woman
in prison is not gonna
solve anything.

We are supposed
to represent the people.

There they are,
and each one of them wants
their 50 grand back.

Mike, I'm on
a winning streak.

What about number 11?

Christopher, I've
got a guy running around

with a metal pipe,
beating up senior citizens.

I've got a chance
to nail him today.

Well, you know
this plea is right.

So, you take the deal.

I will take the courtroom.

-Agreed?
-Gentlemen.

[laughs]

Think about how grateful
Honey would be.

Good team. Okay.

You've got a future
in public defense.

-I don't think so.
-I'll see you in there.

Just-- Just wait here.
I'll be with you in two seconds.

-Jay, how's it going?
-Busy.

-Last night, we were
here until eight.
-We've got a plea.

Oh. Joe should be thrilled
to hear that.

But I'm gonna need a jury
and panel by this afternoon.

I've got an assault
with a deadly weapon.

-I'll get you
the court files.
-Uh, but--

[clerk] All rise.

Counselor Judge Franklin
presiding.

Your Honor, Your Honor.

[whispering]

[sighing]

Gentlemen, I understand
there is a plea to be
considered at this time.

Let the record reflect
that we are not
in the presence of the jury.

[Christopher] Your Honor,
the people in the public
defender's office

have entered into a plea
whereby Miss Maggie Sue Martin,

a.k.a. Honey Coated,

shall plead guilty
and pay restitution

to each of the victims
to the sum of $50,000

and shall have a minimum
of five years probation
and credit for time served.

Well, counsel, the court
has considered your plea
and finds it unsatisfactory.

Your Honor,
this is highly irregular.

-With all due respect--
-Sit down, Mr. James.
You have no standing here.

This trial will continue
after lunch.

All parties are ordered
to return at one o'clock.

[gavel banging]

[indistinct chatter]

Come on.

Thank you.

Hi, Betty? Hi, it's Jo Ann.

Listen, I don't
have time to talk,

but I might have a problem
making that 7 p.m. flight.

So-- So, can you check on
later nonstop flights for me?

Yes. Yeah--
Yes, all right.

So I'll check back
with you later. Okay.
Thank you, thanks.

Ooh, hold that, please.
Excuse me.

How long has the accused,
Mr. Rossetti,

worked in your factory?

I don't know.

Uh, say six months?

I can't remember, really.

You know, most of these guys
are on parole,

or they come in
off the streets.

And I don't ask any questions.

They shovel for me,
and I pay them
a decent wage.

I see.

Now, on the day in question--

As far as this Mr. Rossetti's
character is concerned,

I-- I can't really say.
I hardly know him.

But I do know that
on the particular day
you're asking about,

he and eight other guys were
working right outside my office.

I could see him through
the window shoveling
cinder into a truck.

And all I know is,
every time I looked up,
there they were.

That's really all I can say.

[Judge Franklin] Yeah?

Michael, how's the world
treating you?

-Not so great today, Judge.
-[chuckles] Oh, Mike.

Mike, you take everything
too seriously.

I know.

You're talking to someone
who has been there.

-Judge--
-Listen, Mike.

This is your future.

Triple bypass,
and believe me,
it is no picnic.

Judge, about the plea--

I laid in that hospital
for six weeks.

And it's a myth
about the nurses.

Mine looked
like Andre the Giant.

But I decided
that I better change
my attitude.

Now this long weekend
coming up,

in the not so distant past,

I would have used that time
to catch up on my case law.

Not now. No.

Friday morning, I'm gone.

-That sounds great, Judge.
-Spirit Lake!

Greatest fishing
in the world.

Did you ever hear
of a guy named Indian Joe?

The man is a legend.

I've been trying to land
that sucker for three years,
but he's all booked up.

Everyone from Prince Charles
to Donald Trump.

Well, this long weekend,
he is mine for four days.

Four blissful, peaceful days
without the wife,

without interruptions,
objections, delays, or motions.

Just me, and the bass,
and Indian Joe.

The Martin case was scheduled
to be over Thursday afternoon.

So if it's settled,
and we start another,
then you're stuck here.

You turned down the plea
because of your vacation?

Indian Joe, Mike.

That man knows bass.

You understand my position.

No, Judge, I don't.

Perhaps I could
bring Mrs. Davis in,

the 67-year-old victim
who had her ribs smashed in

and you can explain it
to both of us at the same time.

I don't think
I like your
attitude, Mr. James.

Excuse me, Judge!

You're right.
What's come over me?

Unless it's that I've got
a couple of hundred
project residents

who are just waiting
for me to screw up

so they can justify
their distrust
of D.A.s and cops.

Or maybe it's that I put
my integrity on the line.

I was crazy enough
to lead them to believe

-that I wouldn't let them down.
-The system's not
built that way.

The system?

I'm the system.
You are the system.

Those people trusted me.

What the hell are we
here for anyway?

What if I told you, uh,
I could have you out
of here Friday noon?

-My word on it.
-How?

You've already got the plea.

It only takes an hour
to get court files.

-You're not being realistic.
-I have one witness.

I will accept
the first 12 jurors
without challenge.

Damn you.

Jay, get me a jury up here.

We start a new trial
in 40 minutes.

[Jo Ann] Mr. DeLuca,
this is a grand jury
proceeding.

Your testimony is confidential.

Except in certain
prescribed circumstances,

it's a criminal offense
for grand jury statements
to be revealed.

Do you understand?

Mr. DeLuca?

I understand.

Fine. Now, on the day
in question,

how many other
men were working besides
you shoveling cinder?

Five, six.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Mr. DeLuca, do you remember
signing a police statement?

Yes.

And in that sworn statement,

in response
to the same question,
you answered,

and I quote, "There were
nine of us, Rossetti included.

I'm sure of it."

Is there someone in
the waiting area that
you're worried about?

Someone that you
would not like to hear
your testimony,

-the defendant
or his attorney?
-My boss.

Mr. Esteban, the man
that testified earlier
for the defense.

I'm not on parole.

I just don't want
any more trouble.

Mr. DeLuca,
if you do not
tell the truth,

you'll be committing perjury,
a violation of your parole,

and you could face
additional jail time.

Now, did your employer,
Mr. Esteban,

tell you to lie
on the witness stand?

Yes.

Did he tell you
what to say?

Mr. DeLuca,
you've just told this jury

that you were instructed
to lie on the witness stand.

Now, what did he
tell you to say?

That Rossetti was working
next to me that day,

but he wasn't.
He wasn't there.

He was with Mr. Esteban.
They were in it together.

Rossetti knocks
over the houses,

and Esteban,
he fences the stuff.

How do you know this?

Because he wanted me
to go to work for him.

And I said I wouldn't.

-[Mike whistling tune]
-How you doing, Mrs. Davis?

-Feeling okay?
-We have a trial
in 30 minutes.

-Didn't think I could
do it, did you?
-It's not over yet.

You having fun?

Don't worry, Mrs. Davis.
He can't hurt you now.

But it's still his word
against mine.

You don't worry.

-Where you going?
-I'll be back.

Mrs. Davis...

is this a photograph
of the man who beat you?

I'm--

-I'm not sure.
-You're not sure?

It may interest you to know
that this is not a photograph
of Mr. Jake Burns.

Just like the man
who attacked you
was not Mr. Jake Burns.

Objection.

Sustained, the jury
is instructed to disregard

Mr. Peterson's
last statement

and any other statement
he has made regarding
that photograph.

He knows better.

I'm sorry, Your Honor.

Mrs. Davis, isn't it true
that just three months

before this alleged incident,
you had eye surgery?

And in fact, you still suffer
from some visual impairment.

-Yes, but--
-Yes.

And despite
this visual disability,

you still insist
that the man who caused
your injuries is my client.

Isn't it just possible,
Mrs. Davis,

that you have, in fact,
identified the wrong man?

Do you want me to repeat
the question, Mrs. Davis?

[indistinct whispering]

[Judge Franklin] Excuse me.

Mr. James, do these people
have any bearing on your case?

They do, Your Honor.
With apologies to the court,

the people amend their estimate
for the length of this trial.

We have five
additional eyewitnesses
who wish to testify.

Very well, Mr. James.

Will the additional witnesses

please wait in the hallway
until called?

You may answer
the question now,
Mrs. Davis.

I saw him clearly,
that man there, Jake Burns.

He was not standing
where you are.

He was on top of me,
hitting me.

That was him.

There is no doubt
in my mind.

Excuse me.
Can I talk to him?

Your Honor, may we
discuss something

outside the presence
of the jury?

The jury will wait
in the jury room, please.

[whispering]

Your Honor,
we'd like to discuss a plea.

Mr. James...

will the People
discuss a plea?

I believe they will.

This court stands
in recess.

[applause]

[cheering]

You've won.

[laughs]

Julie! I won!

Great! Bye.

I'll see you later.

Betty! Hi, it's Jo Ann.
Listen, I'm so glad
I caught you.

I'm not gonna be able
to stop by and pick up
that ticket, so--

What?

Well, okay.
So there's no non-stops.

What about a connecting flight?

Yeah, I could make that.
I could make that one.

Oh, first class?

Huh.

How much?

All right, well, look.
There has to be another way.

My father's party's
at nine o'clock, so--

Nothing, right.

Are you-- Are you sure?

Yes.

No, I-- I understand.

No, it's all right.
I'll-- Thank you.

Thanks.

[melancholic music playing]

Oh, thanks.

Excuse me.

So, uh,
what was I saying?
Oh, um...

even with the plea, he'll do,
uh, four to six, minimum.

Stop gloating, counselor.

Don't you think
I deserve some credit?

Okay, um, you were--

Brilliant, resourceful, uh...

knight in shining armor.

Somewhat, hmm...

impressive.

Impressive.

I like that.

What?

Just looking for open wounds.

Obviously, that--
that was a tough thing
for you to admit.

You don't know me
as well as you think you do.

True, but I knew right away

that that first night
at the project,

that, uh, that sweater,

those, uh, black stretch pants,
the way you moved,

the way everybody
looked at you,

the way you disrupted
a perfectly good speech,
kicked my butt,

and made me feel like an idiot
in front of all those people.

It's, um--

It's been a while
since a woman
did that to me.

How long is a while?

Too long.

Well...

here's to making up
for lost time.

[soft music playing]

Daddy?

Daddy, I'm not
gonna be able

to make it home tonight
for your party.

Yeah, I know.

I know I really wanted
to be there. It's, um--

It's just that one of my cases
got put over to night court.

I just-- I-- I just wish
you knew how much

I really, really wanted
to be there tonight.

No, they-- they-- yeah, well,
you know, they've given me
more responsibility, yes.

It's-- no, it's an honor.

It really is.

It's--

Okay, yeah, so, um,
we'll celebrate another time.

Okay.

I will.

I love you.

Okay, bye.

Jo Ann, just wanted to say
good work.

-I knew you could handle it.
-Oh, it was-- it was nothing.

It was no problem.

-Good night.
-Good night.

[sighs]

[sobs, sniffles]

Hey, Jo Ann,
two minutes to night court.

Lock and load.

Okay, yep.

[closing theme music playing]