All language subtitles for Equal Justice s01e08 Goodbye, Judge Green.eng

[Jo Ann]
Julie, I can't afford this city. If I don't find a roommate,

this girl's on the street,
one of the homeless.

-Jo Ann Harris, bag lady.
-Well, that's great. [chuckles]

All things considered,

I've overstepped some things
in our relationship.

There is no relationship.

-Baker. Is this misdemeanors?
-About your apartment.

Said she'd catch up
with you today.

-Maybe you'll get lucky
this time. -Yeah, right.

This is not a small thing.

I think I need
serious professional help.

Get a dog.

[giggling]

Look, Estella.

I know you.

I can help you.

You've already lost one son
in a gang shooting, and now your mother.

Help me stop this killing.

That's why I'm here.

But you didn't see enough.
I need Ramon.

I need you to convince him
to come in to testify.

I can't do that.

Ramon's a smart kid, Estella.
He could be more than a gangbanger.

I cannot convict Carlos
without his testimony. Do you understand?

He's my son, my baby.

But he listens only
to the other gang-boys.

Carlos has no conscience.
He's a killer.

-[sighs]
-With your son, I can stop him.

He's gonna come after
Ramon again,

or your son will
kill him first. Help me.

Mr. James, my mother
was killed before my eyes.

-I pray, I cry,
I have no answer. -[Ramon] Mama!

Mama, I told you!

-[Mike] Ramon, calm down.
-Shut up!

Look, we have a few things
we could talk about.

I don't wanna
listen to you no more.

Look, I've got
your grand jury testimony, and you've got no choice.

You ain't got jack.
I ain't talking in front of my bros.

Stay away from my mother.

The cops took the counter gun
that she keeps in the store.

What happens when Carlos
comes in again looking for you and finds your mama?

I can take care
of my mother.

Think, Ramon. Think bigger
than the Crowns and the Aces. Testify.

Carlos goes to prison
till he's too old to walk, and you stay alive.

You can't take care of him.
That's your problem.

On the streets,
it's our problem, man. We keep things simple.

Simple? How many
of your bros are dead?

One morning,
your mother's gonna find you

full of 9mm rounds,
before the store,

and before she gets
a chance to scream,

just to finish off the picture,
they'll blow her head off.

[tense music playing]

[opening theme song 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??

[Gene] Think drama.

Ski accident,
uh, barrel jumping on skates,

winter skydiving...
not stepping in a pothole.

-Think style.
-[Linda] I had plenty of style.

Now I'm just a schlub
with a cast on my leg.

Well, maybe
it'll buy you a continuance.

Now, there's a thought.

No, I want to see
this thing through now.

Man, you should have seen
Judge Green's motions.

He pushed me to take a deal
before the public defender even asked for one.

He has his own agenda.
You don't want to rough up his robe.

I know. It's perverse.
I've spent more time assessing the unpredictable Judge Green

than I have my own victim.

It might be better
to take a plea on this one.

You get the defendant
off the street, get Green off your back.

-How's your jury?
-It's conservative. Mostly women.

My victim's a good, strong lady.
She'll be good on the stand.

You don't want to
get in a power play with this guy.

I know. I've been
there before with him.

We all have.
With scars to prove it.

[chuckles] See you.

-See you, Chester.
-[giggles]

I thought you had
all that stuff memorized.

I do. I just like
looking at the pictures.

You buy me some lunch
and we go over the motions on Escobar?

-No, you owe me two already.
-Fine, we'll go at dusk.

You'll have to admit
your key witness won't testify.

Courthouse rumors are worth
what you pay for them, Peter.

I've been after Carlos Escobar
for a long time.

He murdered a grandmother,
and he's going to go down in flames.

-What is this,
vengeance in a courthouse? -Meaning?

I know this cop, Mike.
He says to me, "What the hell?

Why bother with them?
Let them kill each other off."

-That's his solution.
-Everybody looks at these gangs.

They look at their spray cans,
colors, drive-bys. They say they're all guilty.

Are you rehearsing to me?
Tell it to the jury.

How you're going to get
a conviction without Ramon Garza?

Asked and answered.
He'll be there.

You sound convincing.
You couldn't sell me that wrapped in $100 bills.

Big talk for a man
too cheap to buy lunch.

-So where are we going?
-[both laughing]

[bailiff] Come to order.
Court 104 now in session.

Honorable Judge Billings
presiding.

[Jo Ann]
Can I look in the stacks?

-No, wait, I got it.
-You got it?

-Yes. Thank you.
-Great.

-Okay.
-Thanks.

Jo Ann, Jo Ann,
I need that court order.

-For your lineup? It's done.
-Um...

-Ms. Harris?
-Yes.

-I also need the witnesses--
-Wait, I'm busy. Name?

-Traci Baker.
-Baker. Oh, Baker, Baker.

-That was the solicitation--
-Please.

One second.
That was the solicitation.

So we'd be open to a plea
on a reduced charge, say loitering for the purpose.

I'm sorry.
It's the best I can do.

Take it. Thank you very much.
Listen, I need the detectives.

I called about the apartment.

The apartment, right.

Yes, I forgot. I'm sorry.
I'm so stupid. Yes.

-[Judge] Ready to
proceed, Ms. Harris? -One second.

-I need the detectives.
-It's all taken care of.

Now, Traci, please stay.
Briggs, please go.

-[Judge] Ms. Harris.
-Yes, I'm ready, Your Honor.

If you could just wait
on the other side for a bit there, all right?

[bailiff] Case number 90346,
People versus William Thomas.

[Jo Ann] Charge is possession
of a controlled substance.

Your Honor, Mr. Thomas
is a repeat offender.

Two months ago, he was brought
before this court, charged also with possession--

-Judge, I want my lawyer.
-Mr. Thomas, I'm your lawyer.

Uh-uh, no. My lawyer
is Christopher Searls.

I want Christopher Searls.

[people speaking indistinctly]

-[Linda] Janet, listen to me.
-He gotta know he can't get away with this.

We can send him to prison now
and reduce charges.

He wouldn't
have to go through a trial.

Reduced? Reduced to what?

Sexual abuse,
one to three years.

He raped me
in front of my babies.

Three years?

[babies cooing]

If we go to trial,
we can try to put him away for a very long time.

-I want him to pay.
I just want him to pay. -[baby crying]

Sweetheart, no, please stop.

Oh, God. He'll never go away.

Janet, when we're in there,
when you're on the stand,

you have got to remain calm,
in control.

I know you can do it.
I've seen it in you.

This judge is rough.
Don't expect him to care.

All you need
is to show him respect.

And don't lose your own.

And remember,
we're doing this together.

-[baby crying]
-Shh, okay.

[Billings] Thank you,
Ms. Harris.

Mr. Carson's bail is set
at $5,000,

and we'll hold this over
till Tuesday for the action of the grand jury.

What's up?

It's him. That's my lawyer.

What's he talking about?

Your Honor, ADA Searls is here
regarding the Thomas case.

-[bailiff] Case number 90353--
-Everybody, just hold your horses.

Mr. Searls,
do you know Mr. Thomas?

Uh, yes, Your Honor, I do.
He gave us some help on a crucial case.

I did. I did a lot.

Your Honor, may we have
a few minutes to confirm?

Five minute recess.
Make it quick. I have a busy morning.

What's happening here?

Possession of
an illegal substance. It's nickel and dime.

Yeah, but he's got priors.
What's going on here?

What about rehab? Rehab?

Fine. Be my guest.

-Your Honor, I'd like to speak
on Mr. Thomas' behalf. -Please do.

[sighs] Your Honor, in light
of Mr. Thomas' service

in a past homicide
and in regard to his addiction,

I feel that a referral to
the county drug rehabilitation--

Rehab? No way, man.

[Billings]
Just calm down, Mr. Thomas.

-That ain't right, man.
-Calm down, Mr. Thomas.

Man, you gotta
take care of me.

Mr. Searls, why don't
you and PD Ignacio

consult further
and then get back to me?

Unless the people
have an objection--

[Jo Ann] No, the People
have no objections.

-You gotta take care of me.
-Let's go.

[bailiff] Case number 90354,
People versus Spears.

I'm going to talk to you
this afternoon, all right?

We've all been down
this path before.

Let's take
one last shot at this.

We remain flexible,
Your Honor.

We're open to a reduction
to sexual abuse.

Your Honor,
with all due respect,

sexual abuse is unacceptable
to both the People and Ms. Fields.

The severity of the attack,
the imminent threat of the defendant--

There are priorities
on the court's time.

You got a very weak case.
We both know it.

Why don't you
take this plea?

I've offered her the plea,
with your recommendation.

She rejects it.

She rejected?

Yes, she does.

Okay.

[slurps coffee]

[Janet] He was on his knees,

holding my legs with a knife.

He pulled at my dress
with a knife.

He slashed my dress.

Let's work this through
together, Janet.

Stay with me.

What did the defendant do next?

With pieces of my dress,
he tied my hands to my baby's crib.

[inhales] Was your baby
there in the crib?

Yes.

Awake?

She was crying.

Object, Your Honor.

Inflammatory and prejudicial.

Let's not gild it, Ms. Bauer.

Your three year old, Donnie,
was he there?

[Janet] Yes, he was hiding.
He was afraid.

Children were not involved
in this attack.

Stay on the subject.

Yes, Your Honor.

Could you get up, Janet?

Could you run?

He had the knife and my babies.
I was tied up.

I was afraid for them.

[Linda] And what did he
do next?

He cut my panties off.

He said,
"I'm going to punish you.

No one else is going
to want you now, bitch."

I never came on
heavy with you.

[Linda] If the defendant
wishes to take the stand--

-[Abel] Why are you doing this?
-Mr. Carson.

[whispers] Just relax, Abel.

I can control
my own courtroom.

Sit down, Mr. Carson.

You'll get your chance.

Continue with your saga,
Ms. Fields.

What did he do then, Janet?

Then he was screaming.

And he grabbed my face.
He grabbed my face.

[Linda] Okay.

Okay, just take your time.

And he slammed me back.

And he...

He raped me.

How long ago did you
date this man? Six months.

-That's what it says here.
-Your Honor, I object.

[sighs] Permission to approach.

I want this
on the record, Judge.

In the middle
of my client's rape testimony,

you have put the word "date"
into the jury's mind.

This means friend,
relationship, consent, even. Not rape.

Now, you listen here,
Ms. Bauer.

If the defense doesn't do
his job to protect the rights of the defendant, I will.

[indistinct whispering]

Detective Cruz,
how long have you been assigned to the gang task force?

Three years.

And what are your
specific duties in regard to that unit?

It's to monitor, interpret,
and respond to the patterns of gang activity.

I'm a court-qualified expert
on the interpretation of, uh, gang graffiti.

Could you, uh, interpret

People's exhibit number one,
please?

On September 3 of last year,
Benito of the Blood Aces

uh, intended to kill Solo
of the Spanish Crowns.

To any gang,
a cross-out means death.

Could you do the same
for People's exhibit number two?

This is a revenge message
communicated

by the Crowns to the Aces
for the death of Solo.

Um, Pato here clearly intends
to kill Benito of the Aces.

Detective Cruz, could you
now use your expertise

to interpret
People's photo number three?

This message,
uh, exists presently within the Crowns' turf.

Here, Flaco clearly
intends to kill Gato.

And who is Gato?

It's the gang name
of Ramon Garza.

And who is Flaco?

[Cruz] Carlos Escobar.

[indistinct muttering]

Detective Cruz.

Could you explain to us,
tell the court,

how these gang members
come up with these gang names?

The names usually refer
to their physical appearance,

-personality, behavior.
-I see.

And what would the name
Flaco refer to?

Flaco can refer to someone
who's... skinny, wiry.

Skinny. Wire.

I see.

Well, Detective,
in your expertise,

how many young boys
might have that name, Flaco?

[scoffs] I have no way
of knowing that exactly.

Well, I understand,
but tell us, is it two? Or is it ten, twenty?

Objection. The question's
already been answered.

It's fine, Your Honor.
Detective, isn't it a fact that there may be

fifty young boys that
go around with that name?

It's possible.

Detective, isn't it possible
that someone else

other than Carlos could
have written that death threat?

-Yes.
-[scattered laughter]

Yes?

Yes.

Yes.

[chuckles]

Well, thank you, Detective.
There's no further questions.

[indistinct chattering]

[people speaking Spanish
indistinctly]

[Spanish music playing
on stereo]

[siren wailing in distance]

[shop bell rings]

[people speaking Spanish
indistinctly]

-[man]
Buenas, senora. -[Mike] Estella.

You shouldn't be here.
Please leave.

I still have
the same problem, Estella.

Now, Detective Glanzman
tells me that,

uh, you have a sister
in Florida.

Yes, so?

So if Ramon testifies,
I can use all the resources

that we have to, uh,
help you sell the store

so that the two of you
can move to Florida.

-Mike.
-[indistinct shouting]

Shouldn't have come here, man.

You're not stupid.
But I guess the macho thing

says that tough and dead
is the way to go.

Losing sleep
worrying about me?

As a matter of fact, I am.
So is your mother.

Now, bottom line, Ramon,
you're gonna testify?

Get the hell out of here, man.

-[object thuds]
-Mm-hmm. Arrest her.

-What?
-For possession of an unlicensed weapon.

-It's a counter gun.
-Get away from her! It's my mother, man! No!

This is you, not me!

We're back in court
this afternoon.

[distant barking]

Figure it out.

[people speaking indistinctly]

Come on. Let's go.
Easy. Come on. Back off.

All right, clear out. Move.
Back off, you hear me?

[horns honking]

Prior to this incident,
Ms. Fields,

you had a sexual history
with Mr. Carson.

-[Linda] Objection.
-[Judge] Overruled.

Your Honor, as the court
well knows,

Ms. Fields' prior
sexual history is not admissible evidence.

Overruled.
Answer the question.

-Ms. Fields?
-It is forbidden by statute, as you know.

I'm allowing it.
Be quiet.

Ms. Fields?

[Janet] That--
that was a year ago.

So the night of
the alleged attack was not really different

from any other nights
you spent with Mr. Carson.

-He knocked, you opened
the door, he came in-- -Objection.

-[Judge] Overruled.
-What's he doing? He pushed his way in.

We have no sign of forced entry.
Answer the question.

He raped me!

[indistinct whispering]

Let's go back to the end
of that relationship.

Isn't it true that
it ended badly, you were angry with him?

-Objection.
-Overruled.

-Sit down, Ms. Bauer.
-Exception.

Noted.

When did you first start
seeing Mr. Carson?

[clicks teeth, inhales]
I don't know.

Please.

Three years ago.

It would be helpful,
Ms. Fields,

if you could be
a little more precise.

Was it before or after, say,
your most recent abortion?

-Objection.
-Your Honor, introducing this fact is necessary

-to reveal the witness's
moral character. -I'll allow it.

Your Honor, I object to
the behavior of this court.

You are victimizing
this woman all over again.

You know the law
in this area.

I am the law in this courtroom,
and I'm allowing it.

Sit down.

He's allowed
inadmissible evidence.

He's violating the standard
of judicial ethics.

His temperament, his rulings,
they've prohibited any possibility of a fair trial.

-You tried to talk to him?
-He won't see me.

I even tried
chasing him down in the parking lot.

-Like that?
-Gene, this is not funny.

No, it's not.

[sighs heavily]

He's punishing me
for not taking the plea.

And he's unfairly
punishing the victim. If that defendant walks,

Janet Fields
is just gonna end up under his knife again.

I want on record
what is going on in his courtroom.

-I want him removed.
-Hey, easy.

[sighs heavily]

I want to put him before
the administrative judge.

You do that, and you're gonna
be a target for every judge in this courthouse.

The man is a judicial nightmare.
There isn't a victim in the city

that can walk into his courtroom
and expect his rights

to be protected. It has
been going on for years.

Don't underestimate
the old boy network.

-They can hurt you.
-[sighs]

It's your call,
but I'd be careful.

-[door opens]
-[sighs]

[door closes]

Oh, what a nice coincidence.

Mm. Predestination.
Who knows?

This is really great.
You don't know how many strange people

I have interviewed
to try to find a roommate,

-but you, the Midwest
and 4-H club-- -Oh, county fairs.

-I do remember them.
-Oh, college guys.

And flirting. I remember
I saw my very first movie star there.

-Oh, me, too.
-[both speak in unison]

-White shoes. [groans]
-[laughs]

Look, I'm sorry
I don't have time to go out for lunch.

-It's just today's wrecked.
-Not a problem.

Okay, great.
So I'll call you later?

Well, wait a second.
Let me give you a check

-for the first month's rent.
-Great. Okay.

Oh, that's just a fishing knife.
It's perfectly legal.

-Hi.
-I've got a permit for this. I used to work at a bank.

The balance is just great,
and the grip feels like I'm holding my daddy's hand.

-You want to try it?
-No, thank you, no. Mm-mm.

Ah.

So, you want me
to write this out to you, or to your landlord?

[Briggs] Boy, do I hear
a lot of hollering

coming out of
the public defender's office.

-What?
-You know, about locking the mother up.

-Did it work?
-Not yet.

Well, that's pretty much
Beirut Rules.

You think you've got
to go that far?

Well, you have
something to offer?

Hey, don't be bashful.

Mike, we're on the team
with all the power.

There are always,
always options.

What do you think I'm doing?

There's no way to drive a wedge
between Ramon and his gangs.

We're scaring the hell out
of a poor woman who hasn't done a damn thing,

and I tell myself,
"Well, that's all right,

'cause it's gonna get me
what I want. And what I want is right."

What you want is right,
but technically,

you're about an inch away
from illegal.

Briggs,

I'm watching
this family being killed

right in front of my eyes.
A son, a grandmother.

Now, how do I
save this family?

Quick, give me
one of those options that we've got.

-[sighs]
-You don't have one?

-Then get the hell
out of my face. -[elevator dings]

[door slams shut]

Yeah, I'll be there.
All right, great.

-Good morning, Debbie.
-Hey, Christopher, here.

Talk to this Sugar person.
They've called you four times from lockup already.

-They say you're their lawyer.
-I'll get to it this afternoon, okay?

Sugar, that junkie
that was screaming for you in arraignments the other day?

-What's the deal with
you and this guy? -What are you talking about?

It's the thing about you knew
how to take care of him.

You're not the sensitive
and caring type.

A junkie? Christopher,
this is not you. What are we hiding here?

I told you,
I'm taking care of him.

-Yeah, I know what you told me--
-Well, that's it.

[man whistling]

[sighs] Hey, Sugar.
How are you feeling?

Just got the sweats.

You ready to talk
sense now?

I'm trying to help you,
but you don't seem to want it.

Now, what's going on?

You said you'd help me.

[scoffs]

Are you trying to blackmail me?

'Cause if you are,
you listen up.

I didn't buy you that smack.
The cop did it.

You testified. Now, that's all.

-But you gave me your--
-I gave you nothing.

You understand me?

Look, I would never say nothing
to anybody about anything.

-We're friends, right?
-Yeah? All right.

That's all, man.

I tried to help you out.

Thought you could
help me out.

You see, they say
my bail's 250.

And I can just get that
from you now.

-I pay you back.
-[sighs]

Man, I need to
get out of here.

If you want to get out,
then stay out.

-There's a program--
-You're not telling me rehab, that I can't.

It's a private program.

And if I talk to the PD,
and we both talk to the judge,

then maybe...
maybe we can swing it.

I can't.

It's there or jail.

You're not gonna
make it in jail.

Okay, Searls.

[door alarm buzzes]

Okay! Okay!

-Brother man!
-[inmate shouts indistinctly]

Okay!

-Mike, look at the evidence--
-Mike.

You've got some business
down the hall.

Excuse me.

Let her go.

You'll testify?

Deal.

-[Mike] And what were
you doing, Ramon? -I was helping out.

You know, taking trash
out to the back, you know.

-We don't know, Ramon.
-I said I was there, okay?

You were in the back
of the store. What happened next?

I fed the dog.
I got a dog.

Protection. He's this big.
What do you call him?

-Ramon...
-[snickers]

...did you see
who shot your grandmother?

I heard the shots, yeah.

I got down on the floor,
and the windows were flying all over.

My mom, she was--
she was screaming.

She got on top of grandma,
and I started crawling,

and I started yelling,
"Carlos! Carlos!" I knew it had to be him.

Mr, uh, Garza,
I'm instructing you to answer the question.

Did you see
who did the shooting?

[Mike] Ramon.

-I thought I saw.
-[indistinct muttering]

But, I guess,
running from the back

when my grandma was screaming
and the dog was barking, I--

Look, I knew it was him.

But I didn't see.

[muttering]

Your Honor,
I'd like to request a recess

so I can confer
with my witness.

[judge] Court will take
a 30-minute recess.

[bell tolling in distance]

What kind of rules
you operating from, kid?

We, uh... We had a deal.

What are you doing?

You arrested my mother.
For what?

You're stupid, man.

You're not going
anywhere with this trial thing, all right?

I'm gonna settle it
on the street. Nothing's changed.

So I'm stupid, Ramon?

Yeah. You're the smart one.

You have the plan.

You go to war,
you go kill Carlos,

you march around
in your little uniform, and then what?

Well, you wear
the wrong color shoelaces on the wrong street,

and you're dead, just like that.

Or maybe your mama,
but see, that's okay, you know,

because you got your rules,
you got your bros, and that's what's important.

-I'm not testifying.
-Yes, you are, Ramon.

Everything I want you
to say in court

you've already told
the grand jury.

So what?
That was then, man.

But now you've lied,
so I can use it. That's the law.

So I throw you in jail because
you've lied on the stand,

I throw your mother
back in jail

because you know,
the gun charge hasn't disappeared.

So how low do I go, Ramon?
You call it.

-Call it.
-I can't do it.

Get on the stand,
you ID calls to the jury, to hell with the Crown.

I testify, I don't belong
nowhere. I'm nobody.

[chuckling] Oh, man,
you are nowhere with Carlos on the street.

You're nowhere
if you're in jail,

and you're nowhere
with your mama. So help me out.

Don't throw
your life away. Testify.

The man killed
your grandmother.

[exhales]

[door closes]

Ramon.

We just had a...
a little talk, did we not?

Yeah.

You told this court
that you were confused.

Were you confused during
your previous testimony, Ramon?

No.

I was, uh...

Were you lying
while you were on the stand, Ramon?

-Yeah. I was lying.
-[indistinct chatter]

What did you tell me
during the recess, Ramon?

I told you if I talk...

I mean, if I say
what I know, I'd be nobody.

[men laughing]

[Mike] You'd be
nobody, Ramon?

I was scared.
I'm scared, all right? You don't get it.

I'd be nobody.
The Crowns' my bros. They don't talk.

I'd be nobody, man.

Did you see who killed
your grandmother, Ramon?

[tense music playing]

Carlos.

Carlos killed my grandma.

I was up at the door.

A car came by.
He was in the back seat.

I saw him.

-Let's go. Come on.
-[indistinct chatter]

-Quiet. Quiet.
-I saw him...

Stick his shooter
out his window.

I saw my grandma go down,
and my ma grabbed the gun

and went crazy
out the door.

And I fell
on Grandma.

She was all shot up.

Carlos killed my grandma.

You killed my grandma.

[Mike] Thank you, Ramon.

[man] Come on.
We're walking.

Come on. Move your ass.

Your witness.

Ramon.

Ramon.

You were confused
when Mr. James questioned you earlier

about the shooting
of your grandmother, were you not?

Yeah, I guess.

I don't wanna
confuse you anymore,

but I would like to know
what brought you here today.

-What do you mean?
-Isn't it true, Ramon,

the reason
you're here today

is because the DA
threw your mother in jail

in order to force you
to testify?

-Objection.
-[laughs evilly]

I'm gonna kill you,
you dick!

[Carlos] You want some?

-[gavel banging]
-[indistinct shouting]

-[judge] Order. Order.
I want order in this court. -[bailiff] Sit down.

Order.

I demand order.
I want order in this courtroom.

-May the plaintiff's court rule.
-[Estella] Please.

Order. Order.
I want order.

[bailiff] Will the defendant
please rise.

[juror] We find the defendant,
Abel Carson, not guilty of rape.

Yeah!

All right.

[sighs]

[Green] Jurors are excused.

Services in this trial
are concluded.

[dramatic music playing]

It's okay.

Janet.

Janet, wait.

Janet, please wait.

Janet, please.

What are you gonna do?
Try him again. Try him again.

He can't be tried again.

I'm sorry.

Sorry?

Oh, I'm just
so grateful for that.

Sorry's gonna help me
when he comes to my door again.

Sorry's gonna help me
when he rapes me again.

Janet.

[Janet] Come on.

[somber music playing]

[toy clatters]

It's okay. It's okay.
Come on, sweetheart.

[sighs]

[brakes squeal]

I can do this, you know?
This is a good thing. I can get straight.

[sighs] This place
has a great reputation. You're gonna be fine.

Am I gonna know
anybody in here?

You'll meet people.

You'll come see me?

Sure. Sure, I'm gonna try.

Come on.

I can do this on my own.
I can kick this, brother.

Honest, brother, man.
Let's just...

Let's just go someplace.
We'll talk, okay?

-You'll see I don't need this.
-What are you scared of, huh?

[scoffs]

I mean,
what are you gonna do?

Go right down there
to a shooting gallery?

Can't wait to get high, huh?
You make me look like a chump.

You don't have it, do you?

You don't have the guts.

I got guts.

I know you do.

[somber music playing]

You're coming in
with me?

I can help you
get in there.

But the rest, you gotta do it
on your own, Sugar.

If I crack, if I blow it,
are you gonna be there?

Yes.

I'll be there.

[knocking at door]

-Ms. Bauer.
-[Jerry laughing] Okay, I'll get back to you.

-Jerry.
-Stephen.

-Here I am. [chuckles]
-Good to see you.

Now, I'm not letting you
out of this, you know, until I get that $200.

Committed to two tables,
you don't have to dance, but you're coming.

-Okay. Okay.
-[laughs]

Listen, Stephen, uh, I know
both of you have things to do.

Uh, Ms. Bauer here expressed
some concerns,

and, uh, I thought
in the confines of this room,

it would be a good idea
to have you

have the opportunity
to, uh, respond.

What are your concerns,
Ms. Bauer?

In Janet Fields' case,
as has been typical with every case

I've brought before you,
I found I spend more time working on trying

to solve problems you created
rather than the defense.

Now, that's upside down,
wouldn't you say?

Obviously, you're a woman
who can't accept her loss,

misjudge the value
of her case,

and quite possibly throughout,
had her hormones out of whack.

Stephen.

I never tried my case,
Judge Green.

I was never permitted to.

You took away her rights
to protection, you violated them.

You allowed into testimony

her sexual history,
her abortions.

You opened the door
for the defense and slammed the door on me,

and Janet Fields
is now a sitting duck

for the revenge of Abel Carson,
thanks to you.

Your so-called sitting duck

will be sleeping with that guy
next week.

You have no right
to assume that.

You were offered
a reasonable plea, and you refused it.

You turned around,
you swallowed up valuable court time.

Now, the defendant
is out free.

And what did you do
for the victim?

You didn't give a damn
about a fair trial,

and certainly
not about the victim.

[Green] Let me
tell you a few things.

Twenty-five years ago,
I came to this courthouse.

There was a lawyer
for every accused,

there was a jury
for every trial,

there was a courtroom
for every case.

And a plea bargain
wasn't something to brag about.

-Then why did you try
to force one on my victim? -That was the past.

Now today, I sit before
every imaginable

sort of sewage
in this city.

I've got a hundred cases
where there's room for five.

And I think it's hardly
worth your time

sitting here with me
with your complaints.

Especially
if you're not listening.

The problems you are describing
are the same for all of us.

The case load is impossible.

We're all overburdened,
overworked.

But that is no license
not to care.

What am I supposed
to tell my victims?

"I'm sorry, but I've got
too many cases

to actually give a damn
that the person

who attacked you
is going to go free."

I don't operate that way.
If you do, you shouldn't be sitting on the bench.

Your actions in my case
were inexcusable.

I am not interested
in your case.

All you kids...

"For the people,"
you call yourselves.

What people?

97% of the cases
are disposed of by plea bargains.

Never go to trial at all.

-[Linda] Judge Green--
-These are crap cases, you laughingly call them.

And you go at them
and you sift out your victories.

For who?

For the people?

For yourselves.

You're around here
about six years.

Then you go out and make
a conquest for the big buck.

I'm left here to pick up
the pieces

that make some sense
out of the system,

based on practicality
instead of some... phony idealism.

You're myopic,
and you're self-serving.

-Sit down, Stephen.
-No, you sit.

[door opens]

[sighs] I don't know
what to say.

Stephen has been
an exemplary judge for 25 years.

You're not saying that mitigates
what just happened here.

I'm trying to put this
in perspective for you.

Nobody has a greater commitment
to the law than Stephen Green.

He has handled more
precedent-setting cases

and written more noteworthy
opinions than any judge in this courthouse.

So you're not gonna
do anything based on his past judicial triumphs.

Judge Burrell, a rapist,
who should have been sent to prison, wasn't. Why?

Because the case didn't conform
with Judge Green's own set of personal priorities.

It's all so damn simple
for you, isn't it?

There's nothing simple
about this.

I know what the repercussions
of my bringing charges against him might be.

I know what I'm risking.
This was not an easy decision.

But if I didn't believe
that there was a serious

breach of judicial conduct,
I wouldn't be here.

I'll let you know
my decision.

But whatever I do,
I will do it for him and not for you.

Thank you for your time,
Judge Burrell.

[indistinct chatter]

[judge] Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Please give it
to the bailiff.

"We find the defendant,
Carlos Escobar,

guilty of murder
in the second degree."

Thank you,
members of the jury, for your service.

The sentencing is three weeks
from Thursday, remanded.

-Court is adjourned.
-[gavel bangs]

Punk.

[Mike] Ramon. Excuse me.

Ramon, Estella.

Thank you.

For what?

-'Cause you won your case?
-Yeah.

You're a joke, man.

You won.
I didn't win nothing.

Well, that's up to you, Ramon.
Make something of this.

Estella, get out.
It's over.

Nothing's over.

Well, yeah,
it's easy, man.

Pick up Mama,
pick up Mama's store,

and move to sunny Florida,
just like that.

You're thinking
with a white man's head.

This is where I live.
This is my home.

This is our home.

You don't get it.

You still don't get it.

Leave us alone.

[somber music playing]

Hey, did you hear
from Judge Winston?

Yeah, she appreciated
your apology, but Briggs... Flowers?

-Hey, you wanna frosty?
-Yeah, one second, all right?

-Hey, Jo Ann?
-Yeah?

How did that interview with
your prospective roommate go?

[Jo Ann] Oh, no sale.
Too much firepower.

Really. How would you
like a temporary solution to your problem?

What, you and me?
Are you serious? Really?

Unless you have $40,000
you can loan me.

I just found out
that my building's finally going co-op.

Well, yeah, I guess so,
I mean, sure.

Why not?

-I mean, are you sure?
-Are you sure?

-You and me?
-I don't know, what do you think?

[both laughing]

-[Linda] Hi.
-Hi. What are you doing here?

You should be
out celebrating.

Judge Green removed
to misdemeanors, didn't you hear?

-I heard.
-His ego will never take it, he'll quit.

Small victory.

What are you talking about?

You almost killed yourself
doing everything you had to do

to get him off the bench.
You did it.

-You won.
-Janet didn't.

I told her
she had a good case, that I'd protect her.

Linda, come on.

Gene, you and I both know
how easy it is

to convince a victim
to take a plea.

You tell 'em what
they don't wanna hear.

The judges, the juries,
have their own set

of special prejudices,
it's a crapshoot.

Three strikes against you
if someone like Green presides.

I could've pushed her,
put him away for a year.

You know, at least then...

[sighs heavily]

I can't help thinking
that something inside me wanted to take Green on.

Okay, go ahead,
question your motives, we all do that.

But at least
acknowledge that victims

who come after Janet
won't have to face Judge Green.

And that's because of you.

-Come on, I'm ordering in.
-[book thuds]

Wonton Willies
or Paolo's Spaghetti?

-Your choice.
-Which was the messiest?

Frizzy's chicken.

[laughs] That's it.

[gentle music playing]

[closing theme music playing]

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