All language subtitles for Equal Justice s02e09 Who Speaks for the Children.eng

[Doris] I wish I could help you,
but we need it for evidence.

Excuse me, Mr. Brigman.

Uh, he wants his VCR
back tonight.

Tough tuchus, it's evidence.

If he doesn't get it back,
he's threatening to drop the charges.

The skell holds him
and his wife at knife point,

and he's threatening
to drop the charges because he wants the VCR back?

The 39 Steps
is on PBS tomorrow.

They have to tape it.

Man, I hate
early case assessment.

Doris, look over my shoulder.

What's that sitting at my desk?

A monkey. They're--

Filthy, disgusting creatures,
and they're dangerous. What is it doing here?

Mugged, along with its owner.

I knew that.

Mr. Carbone, at the time
of the alleged attack,

you were panhandling
in front of Saks. You got a license?

I am not a panhandler.

Mr. Minuto suffered a stroke
a few months back.

-This Mr. Minuto?
-[Mr. Carbone] Yes.

He's doing better,
but rehabilitation therapy

will cost over $2,000.

We were seeking donations.

I see. Anything about
the assailant that you can remember?

Yes.

He was vicious, brutal.

He grabbed Mr. Minuto
and threatened to snap his neck

like a twig
unless I handed over the cup.

So, then what happened?

Well, I handed over the money,
but instead of letting him go,

he took off running with him
through the crowd

using his little body
like a shield.

I can't imagine
what would have happened

if that cop
didn't see him running.

I got to tell you,
he looks perfectly fine now.

We got any witnesses
on this thing?

-No.
-[Mr. Carbone] Yes.

Mr. Minuto can identify him.
Put him in the lineup,

or show Mr. Minuto
some pictures,

and we'll be able
to pick him out.

He can. He has a sixth sense
about people.

-Yeah, I don't think--
-Well, we have the photographs.

-Doris, that's not
really necessary. -[Mr. Carbone clears throat]

Mr. Minuto can do it.

And congratulations to him.

-But I don't think
this is gonna-- -What can it hurt?

Just show him the photographs.

Okay, here's one.

[mumbling]

-And here's the second one.
-[screeching]

[people clamoring]

[Mr. Carbone] Come on,
come back.

Come back!

Mr. Minuto, stop!

Come to Daddy.

Come on, Mr. Minuto.

Here. Here.

Let's go home, Mr. M.
Let's go home.

[indistinct chatter]

Happy, Doris?

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

Before we continue,
I would like to mention a letter of praise

we received from the night court
arraignment judges

who endorse our system
of rotating senior ADAs to night intake.

Mr. Brigman, in particular,
was singled out.

[applause]

In addition to bettering
our conviction rate,

he has demonstrated
how important it is

to show our younger ADAs
how to deal with cases

at this primal stage.

-Harris.
-[Jo Ann] Yep.

Where do we stand
with People versus Morales,

the narcotics possession
and sale?

The defendant was appointed
a 17D attorney

as of Friday the 22nd.
And we have a meeting set up for this afternoon.

I think they'll take five years.

I want you to give that case
to Lampkin.

I'm reassigning you to sit
second chair to Bureau Chief Linda Bauer.

She's short-handed,
and we believe

you'd be the best person
for this trial,

-which begins this afternoon.
-Right, boss.

Linda Bauer is one of
the originators of this case.

She's about to begin
a briefing in her office.

-Good luck.
-Thank you.

We weren't certain
this case was going to make it to trial,

but now that it is,
I'm in a jam.

-Thank you.
-I'm flattered you chose me.

You might not be
by the time we're through,

-we're moving to put
a pregnant mother in jail. -What?

Maria Reale. She's been
arrested for possession and use of crack cocaine,

but we're putting her on trial
for felony child abuse of her unborn baby.

-She's an addict?
-Yes.

If we get a conviction,
we'll offer an alternative sentence

and a drug rehab,
but we need that conviction to make the rehab stick.

-Hi, April.
-Hi.

-This is ADA Jo Ann Harris.
-Hi.

She'll be assisting me
on the case.

This is April Gibbons.
She's the attorney for the defense.

And Maria Reale, Jo Ann.
She's the defendant.

How do you do?

Shall we get started?
Mary Ann?

[sighs]

Counselors,
I requested this meeting

to work out a plea
that will satisfy you

and the interests of my client.

It's unusual, but my client
wishes to speak directly to you.

I've advised her against it,
but she insists.

Miss, uh...

please don't put me in jail.

I don't want to lose
my children.

I...

I just... I need some help.

We are asking
that the people allow Maria

to go into
a voluntary rehab program.

She'll give up
temporary custody of her children.

In addition to drug rehab,
she'll enter the county parenting school

and sign up for welfare.

Your client has already
attempted rehab

more than once,
and she's failed.

The only way to protect
her unborn child is through mandatory treatment,

which will be insured
with a criminal conviction.

Look at her.

She is facing permanent removal
of her children.

Maria is not the one to use

as an experiment
in legislation.

I care about your client.

I do.

But the state's concern
is with her unborn child.

Please.

I'm sorry.

Well, thank you
for your time.

Let's go, Maria.

That's all, Mary Ann.
Thank you.

Okay. First thing
I want you to do

is get over to King's Hospital.

Do a final prep
on Dr. Christopher Ruttenberg. He'll be our first witness.

And then I want you to make
contact with Social Services

and get in touch
with anyone who can offer us

some bed space
in a residential rehab right away.

Okay.

Linda.

[sighs]

I know.

Just think about
the baby, Jo Ann.

Just think about the baby.

Okay. Why don't you
take this down to 22 and I'll meet you there?

-Thanks.
-Hey, Julie.

-You check your mail yet today?
-No, Christopher. Should I?

-Absolutely.
-Okay.

What is it?

-Mm-hmm.
-[laughs]

I'm not telling.

Okay, I give up.
What is it?

The Trial Lawyers Association.

You've made the A-list.

How'd that happen?

Remember Spence Usner,
the defense attorney

from that garden party
charity thing?

Oh, yeah.
That slime bag who let the air out of my tires,

invited me to spend the night
at the estate,

said we could play tennis
in the morning?

Listen, Spence
is a little slippery.

But he moves
in the right circles.

He's active
on one of the subcommittees.

An evening honoring
John O'Donnell, huh?

Candidate for the bench
for the Trial Association Lawyers Club.

-This should not be missed.
-I'll be there.

Oh, wait a minute.
This is Wednesday night.

-Oh, Chris,
that's no good for me. -Hey, hey, hey.

This is your career, all right?

You do what you've got to do.

You snooze, you lose.
You got a date?

You bring 'em.
If not, get rid of 'em.

Thanks.

[Christopher] See ya.

To qualify you
as our expert witness,

we'll take some time
going through your educational background,

board certifications,
et cetera. Don't be modest.

Sincere, authoritative,
and throw in some bedside manners

so that the jury
wants to believe me.

-Yes.
-Got it.

I'll do whatever it takes
to help.

I'm curious.

It's my job to enforce the law.
I'm a prosecutor.

You're a doctor who recognizes
drug addiction as a disease.

So, how could
I be so anxious

to criminally condemn
a pregnant addict?

You don't have a problem
with that?

I want to show you something.

[baby crying]

They're all crack babies.

The ones that are screaming
are going through withdrawal symptoms,

painful for an adult,
but excruciating for a baby.

Some of them
have nervous systems that are so overloaded,

they're hypersensitive to touch.

Can't be comforted
by holding them?

They are unable to bond
with their mothers

or anyone else for that matter.

Without them,
how can they live?

[Dr. Ruttenberg]
Some of them don't.

[Linda] Dr. Ruttenberg,
would you describe, please,

the physical condition
of the babies born to crack-addicted mothers?

Some of them weigh
only a few pounds.

Their low birth weight
makes them ten times as likely

to die of crib death.

Deformities of the
genital organs are common.

We also see a lot
of neurological damage.

Doctor, based upon the
defendant's toxicology report,

is there any doubt
that if her child

were to be delivered tomorrow,
it would be addicted to cocaine?

No. That fact
would be a medical certainty.

She would deliver
a crack baby.

Tell me, Doctor,
in your expert medical judgment,

given the defendant's
current level of drug use,

what is the prognosis
for the child?

We're getting new statistics
all the time.

This is a relatively
new problem.

But based on what I've seen,

the damage caused
by crack cocaine

passed on by the defendant
will leave her child

-seriously impaired
for the rest of its life. -Thank you.

Nothing further.

[judge] Ms. Gibbons.

Doctor, are you familiar
with the literature on this subject?

In particular,
this paper published by Dr. Helen Damascus,

a recognized leader
in this field,

who states that the effects
of cocaine in newborn infants

are temporary, reversible,
and not lasting--

That's her opinion.
We don't agree.

Isn't it true, Doctor,
that medical problems,

such as low birth weight,
urinary tract damage,

and the neurological disorders
you attribute to cocaine usage

could be caused
by any number of things,

including fetal
alcohol syndrome?

-In my opinion, fetal--
-Yes or no, Doctor?

Yes, it's possible.

[April] And isn't it true,
Doctor, that besides alcohol,

there are any number
of legal substances

that can also cause damage
to the unborn child?

Things such as tobacco,
excessive amounts of caffeine,

even aspirin?

It's a matter of degree,
of course.

But they are harmful?

Yes, in some circumstances,
we see--

Then tell me, Doctor,
pregnant women who use alcohol

or tobacco or work
too many hours or fly in airplanes

or who are just too poor

to afford
the right kind of food...

Should they be
criminally prosecuted as well?

Objection.

The witnesses' area of expertise
is medical science,

not social science,
Your Honor.

I'll withdraw the question.

Nothing further.

Mirelli.

-Hi, how are you?
-Hi. Good.

-You look gorgeous.
-Thank you. Um...

I went to look for you in 4A
and you weren't there.

Well, you better watch out
for that kind of behavior,

because I might start
to get ideas.

We're on a break.
I think the judge went to play golf.

I came down to get
some licorice. Do you want some?

Uh, no, thanks.
Look, about tomorrow night,

I've got this business thing
that I have to go to.

It's a Trial Lawyers Association
cocktail party.

Oh.

-You have my condolences.
-Exactly.

I'd ask you to come with me,
but I don't think

it's something you'd enjoy.
You'd have to wear a tie.

-Well, I have ties.
-[laughs]

Why don't we get together
Thursday night instead? Is that okay?

-These things
can be pretty deadly, huh? -Oh, the worst.

Well, maybe you could use
some moral support.

Yeah, I'll go with you.

What time do you want me
to pick you up?

Um, I really appreciate that,
but I don't--

No, no, no.
Here's the licorice, guys.

No, I love
the Trial Lawyers Association.

In fact, I was saying that
just the other day. I'm crazy about them.

I don't think
it's really a great idea.

What's the matter?
You're ashamed to be seen with me?

Of course not.

So what time do you want me
to pick you up?

Seven o'clock, okay?

Oh, and really...

Just don't wear
that tie, okay?

[Palchevich] Whoever you spoke
to clearly didn't get it.

Frankly, Mr. Palchevich,

I've been getting
the runaround all day. I'm sorry to drag you back here.

I know that you were
on the way out,

but I need bed space
in a residential drug rehab for somebody, and I can't wait.

-Maria Reale, right?
-Yes.

I really don't think
there should be a problem.

I could offer you
a choice of a few different places.

Great. Whichever one provides
the best prenatal care.

-Excuse me?
-She's pregnant.

She has a five-year-old son.
You're aware of this.

Somehow, it fell
through the cracks.

I don't have it specified
in these requisitions.

This information
should not be brand new.

It's going to be tough.

You have to understand,
these are very high-risk pregnancies,

and the hospitals we deal with
are either ill-equipped

or unable to deal
with the liability issue.

Mr. Palchevich, this entire case
is predicated on the idea

of offering
an alternative sentence

to leverage pregnant addicts
into treatment.

Look, Ms. Harris,
it's simple mathematics.

300 crack babies were born
in this city last month.

We've got bed space
and residential rehab for about 50 women.

Look, somebody told
my bureau chief

-that there was space--
-They lied. It happens.

It's what you got to do
to get projects funded sometimes.

We lie.
Your side lies.

They all do it.
It's a game.

I have a woman on trial
who could go to jail

if we don't come up
with bed space. Do you call that a game?

Of course not.

And we'll do everything
we can to help.

[Briggs] Detective,
what's wrong with this picture?

-What do you mean?
-It says here her name is Ralph.

-Ralph J. Lerner.
-He's a transvestite.

It would be nice if somebody
told me these things.

-Are you ready for me?
-No.

-No, I'll be right back.
-Okay.

-Having fun, Doris?
-There's no case here.

He was robbed
at knife point from behind, so he didn't see anything.

The perp won't talk,
and there's no physical evidence.

Guy's no stranger to us.
Transvestites are his thing.

Are you sure you're not leaving
something out, Doris?

No, no, nothing.

Except... get this.

He said that before running,
the assailant kissed him on the neck.

[chuckles] That's wonderful.
Think!

There must be something else.

[James] I didn't rob no woman
at knife point.

Well, she said it was you,
that you're the one who did it.

She's crazy.

All right, James.

I'm going to make a deal
with you.

If you submit to a test, hmm?

Right here, right now.

Then we can all wrap this up
and go home.

If... you pass.

What kind of test?

Well, we took, uh, lip prints
off the victim's neck.

-Lip prints?
-We did?

Oh, yeah. Those.

[James] What are you guys
talking about?

[Briggs] Oh, well,
it's a new technology, James.

It's more advanced
than genetic fingerprinting as far as accuracy is concerned.

It's called the, uh,
the lipmus test.

Off her neck?

That's impossible.

I... I mean, sure.

Sure, okay.

As long as I can go home
right after.

All right, James.

Uh, first, we're going to need
a blindfold.

Right here.
Good.

Now, James, uh, what I...
What I want you to do

is I want you to put your head
down on the glass.

And when I give you the signal,
I want you to pucker up,

uh, and kiss, okay?

You are not serious.
We can't do this.

Oh, we can,
and we must, Doris.

Ready, James?

Now, James, remember,
keep your head

firmly down on the glass
and pucker at all times.

You realize that somebody
could be coming

-to use this machine?
-That's okay, Doris.

They'll just have to wait
till we're finished getting the lip prints on the Lerner case.

Keep your lips firmly puckered
on the glass there at all times.

Good. Do you want
light or dark?

[scoffs]

What's the story?
You guys said I could go home.

Detective Rover, may I please
have the lip prints lifted

-from the victim's neck?
-Yeah, right here.

Mm-hmm.

-Hmm? Mm-hmm.
-Yep.

-Uh-huh. Yeah, yeah.
-[Rover] Yeah.

I'd say that's a perfect match.
What would you say, Doris?

Incredible.

Game's up, James.

You, uh, wanna
tell us about it,

or should we start
the DNA saliva test?

Hey, no more tests.

Okay, okay. You caught me.

I thought he was a she,
you know?

Don't mess with my saliva.

Looks like you got yourself
a case, Doris.

[sighs deeply]

[April]
Maria, did your social worker send you for drug counseling?

Yes, but I only went
a couple of times.

Why did you stop going?

Because the places,
they weren't for pregnant women.

They were overrun by men,
ex-addicts.

And none of the places,
they, um, didn't have,

you know, child care.

And I feel like they just
didn't care about me.

Maria, did you, at any time,
intend to do harm

to your unborn child
by taking illegal drugs?

No.

I don't want to hurt the baby.

I love the baby.

Thank you, Maria.

[Judge Barron] Ms. Bauer?

[sighs]

Maria, if this trial
were to end right now,

and you were acquitted,

where would you go?

I lost my apartment,
so I'm staying with friends.

But aren't most of your friends
drug users?

Some are, but--

Well, Maria,
if they're drug users,

how will you be able
to say no when one of them offers you drugs?

I will. I will say no.

[Linda] Maria, but how
can we believe you?

Why should it be any different?

You refused to go to counseling,
even though your doctor

and your social worker
both warned you of the harm you were causing your baby.

Please, I will go
and get help.

Just please don't take
my son away.

Your son?

Your son was burned
in your home on December 17.

Is that true?

Yes, a gas heater,
it fell over.

Doctor's report says
you weren't home at the time.

I went to the corner for milk.

Milk, or was it
crack cocaine, Maria?

It was milk, all right?

Were you smoking crack
the day your son was burned?

That week? That month?

Objection.

This is argumentative.

[Judge Barron] Sustained.

I don't know.
I love my son.

But isn't it true that your
doctor and social worker

told you that
your son's learning disabilities

have probably been the result
of your addiction to cocaine?

They said "maybe".

And what about
your unborn baby?

Maria, if this baby
were delivered tomorrow,

would you feed that baby
crack cocaine?

Objection, Your Honor.
This calls for speculation.

This goes to intent,
Your Honor.

I'm going to allow it.

Repeat the question.

Maria, if your baby
were born tomorrow,

would you feed that baby
crack cocaine?

No.

And why not?

It wouldn't be good
for the baby.

[Linda] You mean
it would hurt the baby?

-Yes.
-Maybe even kill it?

Maybe.

Then, Maria, why are you
killing your baby

by smoking crack cocaine now?

Look, I don't mean to. I...

[speaking Spanish]

Look, I told you.
I will get help.

Just don't take my son
away from me, please.

God.

I will do anything
that you want me to do.

Just don't put me away, please.

[Maria sobbing]

-[indistinct chatter]
-[telephone ringing]

Doris, I'd like to talk to you
on this one.

Robbery and assault?

That's right.

The victim, Corin Pentris,
requested

that the hospital
check her out,

-but Officer Kosofsky
is willing to sign a complaint. -Mm-hmm.

Well, uh, there are no
witnesses whatsoever.

Officer Kosofsky believes
that a canvas of the area

will produce a number of people
that were witness to the incident.

I bet he does.
Did you run the victim's name

to the state crime computer,
Doris?

-Hmm? Did you?
-Well, no.

[slams machine]

[Briggs] Well, uh,
Doris, I did.

And Corin Pentris has
a total of over 37 arrests

for prostitution
in the last two years.

And the neighborhood
in which we made that arrest

is a known prostitute hangout.
Now, you can... Excuse me.

Mmm. Call me wild
or call me crazy,

but could this possibly be
a fare-beating situation, Doris?

Fare-beating?
What are you talking--

[Briggs] Fare-beating situation.
You know, that's when the prostitute doesn't get paid.

So, she says that
the John robbed her.

You can ask Kosofsky.
He knows all about that.

-We're getting witness--
-No, no, no. I don't think so, Doris.

Uh, subject to the complainant
appearing before me personally,

I think that I'm going
to 347 this case right now.

Hmm?

-Hey, this is my case.
-No, there is no case, Doris.

And you can tell
your raisin-pitts-for-brains cop

that the next time
he's looking for some overtime,

try and be
a little more creative.

You are the district attorney,
Doris.

It is your job to control
these cases, not the cops.

Hmm? You.

They're going
to shove you around.

You better start learning
how to shove back. Hmm?

Your exposure
to criminal law makes you a very valuable commodity

to a firm such as ours.

Well, right now,
I am very happy at the DA's office.

But it's nice to know
that prosecutors are in such high demand.

Well, whatever
your personal goals are,

I'm sure that, let's say,
making three times as much

in the first year alone
wouldn't be too hard to take.

Who knows? In a couple years,
you might even get to try a case, huh?

Well, that is why
we're in the DA's office.

And we get
extraordinary trial experience

-that might not--
-[men chuckling]

Well, O'Donnell's got my support
for the bench.

What it comes down to is,
he's got the same sensibilities as Judge Klavan.

Yeah, what we need is
another judge like Judge Klavan.

Something trouble you
about Judge Klavan?

No. Not unless
you're bothered by the fact

there's been over 2,000 murders
in the city this past year.

That's an astonishing figure.

Yeah, astonishing.
Yeah, that's right.

That's five people
a day killed, dead.

And one of the reasons
is judges like your pal, Judge Klavan,

and other do-gooder
defense attorneys

who keep putting the murderers
back on the street.

Yeah, right. It's our fault.

-It is your fault.
-Sure. Sure.

I keep putting them away.
You keep letting them out.

If you didn't do
your job badly,

we couldn't do our job so well.
[chuckles]

You have no idea
what the real world is really like.

-Oh, jeez.
-Do you know that?

To you,
the criminal justice system is another growth industry,

as far as you're concerned.

You resent the fact
we're paid well for the job we do.

-Admit it.
-Paid? Paid? It's legalized extortion.

Come on.
You guys got license--

Hang on just a moment.
I'll be right back.

[attorney 2] You're not only
misinformed. You're stupid.

Hey, you better watch
your mouth.

Hey, screw criminal defense.
We don't need it, right?

[indistinct chatter]

Uh, excuse me.
Could I have you for a moment, please?

-Um, yeah. Excuse me.
-Thanks.

-What is it? What?
-See that?

Blood suckers like you,
who use the police as society's janitors.

I think
it might be a good idea to chill down Mirelli, huh?

-What happened?
-Things could get a bit unmanageable.

-I thought we could--
-Christopher, what... Oh.

-You know what's left over--
-Institution failed because of you guys.

-[overlapping chatter]
-[attorney 1] You know what you're talking about.

Not once. Not once
did you stop to think about me.

-How could you?
-What did you want me to do?

Ever think about
shutting your damn mouth?

You humiliated me, Mirelli.

-Oh. Come on.
-It was important.

Those people
were important to me. When will you get that?

-Those people
were important to you? -Yes!

If those people are important
to you, you better think about that.

It's not my fault that
the only people you could deal with

-are the shot in a beer crowd.
-I'll tell you what?

I'll take this shot
in a beer crowd any time over that bunch of whores.

-Whores?
-Yeah, whores.

I don't understand what
you see in those people.

You don't see anything, Mirelli.
You know what it is?

It's testosterone blindness.
That's what it is. Pull over, please!

-No. Driver, keep going.
-No, please. Pull over. I live up the street.

I will be fine.
Please, pull over.

[sighs exasperatedly] I don't...

Don't you even think
about getting out of this cab.

[Jo Ann]
I need bed space right now.

No, don't put me on hold...

[sighs]

This is fabulous.

Oh, yeah.
Peter's about five.

I'm 11.

Yeah, I'm here.

No, wait a minute.
No, I have a woman on trial.

No, now. Right now,
I need an answer.

All right, fine. So what time
can I call you tomorrow?

I'm going to call you
at ten o'clock.

Thank you.

What is their problem?

I mean, these people, it's...
It's like talking to a wall.

I know what they're
putting you through. You just have to keep pushing.

Linda, this woman could be
looking at three years in jail.

If we can't come up
with an alternative sentence, maybe we should...

I don't know.
Maybe we shouldn't go through with this.

There's no way she's going
to seek treatment on her own.

Well, I know that.
I just don't--

Nothing would make me
happier than finding

a good treatment program
for Maria.

But if we can't,
then she's better off in jail

and off the streets
until the baby's born.

Well, I don't agree with you.

I mean, how could you say that?
You, of all people,

you're supposed to care
about women.

Looking the other way,
while these women hurt themselves

and their babies is not caring.

My God, I have spent
my whole career

trying to force this system
to deal with women as people.

I don't like
having to prosecute her in order to save her baby,

but she made a choice.

What choice
did this woman ever have?

You know, and who made us
the pregnancy police?

I asked for you personally,
Jo Ann. You have a break here.

Now, I'm sorry.
If you can't take the heat, maybe you should go back

-to trying misdemeanors.
-That is insulting.

You know what? I wish
you hadn't picked me for this case.

I mean, my God,
we're making her a criminal

-for the sake of her fetus.
-Baby, it's a baby, Jo Ann.

And she's already a criminal.
It's against the law to use drugs.

She is a person.
She is not an incubator.

Okay, so what's your solution?

She doesn't go to jail,
what happens then?

I don't know, but she is not
some hardened criminal.

I mean, we have
to care about her.

-We've got to.
-It's not that I don't care.

But if we don't prosecute,
that baby will be born screaming in pain.

Maria is an addict.
Right now, what we have to care about

is protecting the baby.

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

[Briggs] Two sugars, right?

You just made
a fool out of me in front of 20 cops.

I'm not gonna compound it.
Will you leave me alone, please?

Oh, I see. A real shot
to the head, hmm?

You are such a smart-ass.

That's why I get paid
the big bucks.

You don't respect me.
You don't trust me.

Whatever I do is wrong.

You won't let me do my job.

What is your job, Doris?

-That is insulting.
-Mm-mm. Define it.

I don't have to answer to you.

Yes, you do.

Two more nights,
and I'm out of this.

It is to hear arrest complaints
brought in by the police

and to make sure, damn sure,
that they have done their job

well enough
to get an indictment.

That is early case assessment.

Monkeys, lazy cops,
crazy people,

confessions off
copy machines?

That's what you're dealt.
That's what you play with.

-That's why you're here.
-I can't.

I don't know how.

Listen, I don't want to hear
that kind of talk from you.

Oh, look, I'm going to tell you
a story, okay?

Strictly private.
Stays right here, between you and me.

-Is that okay?
-Right.

-Okay? Okay.
-Yes.

I was in ECAMP, see,
back in aught six.

And this cop comes in.

He says to me,
"Hey, we just caught

the junior high school
slasher", right?

The guy happens to be a dwarf.

Police have got witnesses,
but how do you put a dwarf in a lineup?

Well, I don't know what to do.
I'm completely sick about it.

So I go to my superior.

I think I'm going to blow it.
What do I do?

He tells me,
"There's a circus in town.

Tell the cops,
go down to the circus.

Go get yourself five dwarves."

So, we do.
We put them in the lineup.

We get a witness ID
on the killer. We make the case.

See? You see
what I'm saying?

Everybody goes through it.

You made that up.

Now you're learning.

[laughs]

The deep frustration and anger
we all feel

about losing the battle
we're fighting in the war on drugs

makes us want to do something.

Punish someone.

And that is the reason
why my client is on trial here today.

But we can't
make her the culprit

because the system failed her.

We cannot fight the war on drugs
in the bodies of pregnant women.

If you convict Maria
because she has a disease called drug addiction,

then you send a message,
to poor women especially,

that if you come in for help,
you better watch out.

Because you're not going
to get help,

you're going to get punishment.

And in the long run,
more children will suffer.

I'm telling you now
that we cannot effectively love babies

unless we love and care
for their mothers as well.

Thank you.

Ms. Bauer?

In this society,

there are many decisions
parents make for children.

But when those decisions
threaten the health and safety of the child,

then we, as responsible members
of the community,

need to step in
and speak for the children.

This woman is carrying a baby

that she chose to bring to term.

Our job as responsible members
of society

is to make sure that baby
is born drug-free.

That baby has a right
to be born drug-free.

If the child enters this world
suffering and in pain

because its mother passed on
her addiction to illegal drugs

and we did nothing to stop her,

then part of that blame
will rest on our shoulders.

And that child's needs
will be so great

that we will be taking care
of it for the rest of its life.

Now, the only thing
that separates the defendant's baby

from our usual protection
of children

is just two months.

[sighs] But it's two months that
will make all the difference

in this baby's life.

We, as a society, have a stake
in every child that's born.

And we cannot wait
another two months.

If this were a child abuse case
about a mother

beating her child with a stick,
it would be simple.

It would be easy.

But the truth is

that by smoking crack cocaine
and passing it on

to her unborn baby,
Maria Reale is causing as much harm,

maybe even more,

than if she were beating
her child with a stick.

If that baby could talk,

it would say, "Please,
make my mommy stop.

Please, don't let her
do this to me."

I've been doing this
for 11 years.

You've been here for, what,
four weeks?

-Don't tell me how to do my job.
I'll get it for you tomorrow. -Fine. Fine.

Well, they're all
yours now, Doris.

I'm out of here in ten minutes.
My sentence is over.

Uh, wait a minute.

The case where
the perp shot at the cops

and the kid
caught the stray bullet, what's happening?

Well, she's out of surgery.
The doctors think she's going to be okay.

The case is locked.
I'm just finishing up the paperwork

with Detective Cursio.

Yeah, he's a real sweetheart.
Let me see.

Oh, Doris, you're not finished.
Where's the ballistics report?

The detective said
he'll have it in by tomorrow.

All you've got now is a maybe.

-But the detective said--
-You've got bupkis. You've got nada.

You've got el zilcho, Doris.

We need
the ballistics report now.

What did you do,
go for coffee and cake? I'm looking to get out of here.

Have you got the gun, Detective?

I told you I vouchered it.
It's at the station.

I want you to get it
and take it over to the ballistics lab

-for a report.
-What's your name, Walsh?

Okay, Walsh. I've been
waiting here six hours.

After some mope
shoots at me five times. Tomorrow, tomorrow,

you get a messenger,

the guys at the lab
will be fresh.

Tonight. I need
that report tonight.

[Cursio] It's 3:00 a.m.

Well, the lab operates 24 hours.

The guys at the lab
are having some yuks.

Nobody's going to do
anything right now.

You should have thought of that
six hours ago. Make them do it.

It's a 20-minute trip
to the ballistics lab.

What do you think?
You giving me orders now?

I'll tell you right now,
you're out of your mind.

I'm not going to tell
that girl's family

that I didn't get an indictment
because we didn't have enough evidence.

The perp shot at me.
I took him down, read him his rights for you.

-It's not my job
to be your messenger. -I'm making it your job.

Forget about it, Counselor.
I ain't going to do it.

I ain't doing nothing.
It ain't happening. It ain't happening!

Dial ballistics and tell them
you're on your way.

Call? You want me to call?

[glass shatters]

I'm not calling anybody.

No! No!

I'm not calling.

Get off!

Leave me alone! Get off me!

Easy, easy.

Let him go.

Let him go.

[grunts]

How dare you?

Don't you ever...
And I mean don't ever

pull something like that again.

You go back out there,
get that report, and bring it back to me.

Don't go to the bathroom.
Don't have a car accident.

Don't get struck by lightning.
And don't even think about coming back here

without that report.

[applause, cheering]

Well...

I don't know.

I don't know, Doris.

It's going to be hell
to pay for this one.

On the other hand,
when word of this spreads, and it will,

you won't have to shove
this hard next time.

[both laugh]

I'll see you around, kiddo.

It's been a pressure.

In the matter of the People
versus Maria Reale,

criminal complaint number 4729,
felony child abuse,

we, the jury,
find the defendant guilty.

[Judge Barron] Jury may be
excused at this time.

We thank you for your efforts.

Defendant is remanded
into custody,

sentencing to take place
on Monday, the 19th.

This court is adjourned.

[gavel bangs]

It's going to be okay, Maria.

[sobbing]

It's okay.
Te quiero. Te quiero mucho. Te quiero.

-Hey, how'd it go?
-We won.

That's great.

[melancholic music playing]

[doorbell buzzing]

-[Mirelli] Hi.
-[Julie] Hi.

-How are you?
-I'm good. How are you?

-Good. Thanks for coming.
-Sure.

[chuckles] Come on in.

-It's a nice place
you have here. -Oh, yeah, thanks.

Well, it will be
when I finish it.

-Are you doing
all this work yourself? -Yeah, all by myself.

I'm impressed.

Look, I made a little dinner.
I made some linguine and some salad.

And I got a bottle of wine.

[Julie] I'm not hungry.

I'm sorry.

[Mirelli] Oh.

Okay. All right.

Look, I was way out of line
last night.

-Mirelli...
-No. No.

I want to apologize
because I acted like an imbecile.

And I'm sorry, okay?

But those lawyers, man,

they think that
they know everything, you know?

I'm a lawyer, Mirelli.

I know.

But you're not like them.

But I am.

I'm one of them.

Look, it's just not going
to work with us, okay?

Hey...

I don't want any guarantees.

I read the warnings
on the label, okay?

I did.

Oh, stop it.
Please, stop it, okay?

Hey, do you know
how good we are?

You know what a great time
we have together.

Right?

-Am I right? Huh?
-Look...

No.

No.

[Mirelli] Why?

Because I'm not one of them?

Huh?

Do you think that
those people are real?

Huh?

That's not what real life is.

As usual,
you know everything, don't you?

Well, I know a hell of a lot
more about life than a room full of lawyers.

Understand something.
I killed myself to get through law school

so I could become a lawyer.

Those people know things.
They have accomplished--

Accomplished what?
What have they accomplished?

They've made a lot of money.

They don't know
what's important.

What's important to you
is not important to me.

[scoffs]

You think anyone
with any ambition

-beyond a Saturday afternoon
barbecue is superficial? -No, I--

Well, I want more. I want...

I never had things, Mirelli.

And I want them.
And I'm going to get them.

And there is nothing wrong
with that.

I never said that there was.

But what does that got to do
with you and me?

I don't understand that.

Julie...

[sighs]

What's between us...

What happens every time
that we're together?

Are you trying to tell me
that you've been faking it?

Come on. You know
I can't tell you that.

-So--
-But it's not enough, okay?

It's just not enough.

We are so different.
Can't you see that?

No, I can't see that.

Look, Mirelli, it is just
not going to work, okay?

No, wait a minute.

I'm not going to let you
walk out of here like this.

[dramatic music playing]

I've got to go.

I'll call you tomorrow.

No, you won't.

You won't call.

[melancholic music playing]

[door closes]

[theme music playing]

[roaring]

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