All language subtitles for Episode 08 Moral Suasion

Previously
on "For the People"...

You said something
to me once.

You said, "You don't celebrate
people going to jail."

I don't think I fully
understood that until now.

I turned on a client.

You tried to save
someone's life.

I'm the person
who never turns on you.

I was not that today.

-Roger!
-Get on the ground now!

Man: Don't move!

Hey.
Hey.

Come on.

Rodney: You're my attorney?
Really?
Allison: Yes.

I wouldn't have
picked that belt,

but you are absolutely
pulling it off.

Thank you.

Obsessed with
"Project Runway."

I worship at the feet
of Nina Garcia.

She's the best.
Yeah.

Posen?
He can kick rocks.

So many rocks.

But I'd take
an outfit designed by him

over this awful thing.

It's humiliating.
It doesn't even fit.

Cigarettes.
Cigarettes.

Things are gonna kill me,
and I don't even smoke.

They're not going
to kill you, Rodney.

I figured they'd just
tell me to pack up.

Isn't that what they do?
They do. Usually.

But you were allegedly
selling a big quantity.

And they traced the cartons
back to a shipment

that came illegally
from China.
China?

These came off a truck
on Junction Boulevard.

I buy what I buy.
Sell what I can.

Who am I hurting?

People out there
sell drugs, guns.

I've never done anything
like that.

Never been arrested.

I know it's scary.

You have no idea.

I have a daughter.

How old?

She's 4.

Her name's Sky.

Beautiful name.

Beautiful girl.

I always wanted her to know
there was more out there

than East Baltimore.

No limits.

Nobody ever told me that.

You look so familiar.

I was actually thinking
the same thing.

But whatever.
We're here now.

Everything happens
for a reason, right?

This is gonna work out.
I have to believe that.

You should believe that.

We are going to
work this out. Okay?

You should be released

after your bail hearing
this afternoon.

Is there anything I can do
for you before then?

Just get me out of here.

Cigarettes?
Cigarettes.

NYPD is cracking down.
On cigarettes?

Shouldn't they be, like,
cracking down on crime?

I feel like that's
totally reasonable.

Jay. Duty.

And I feel like that's
totally un...derstandable.

Because I had duty
yesterday

and the day before that,
so why not today?

Duty calls.
Call of Duty.

Tour of Duty.

Reporting for duty,
General Carlan.

I'm just gonna head over
to the courthouse.

He could do five years
for this.

For cigarettes.

He could do five years

if he went to trial
and was convicted.

But that's not gonna happen.

Talk to the line
prosecutor.

They're not taking untaxed
cigarettes to a jury.

Jury duty?
Yes.

You?
Yes.

On jury duty?
Yes.

With jurors?

I think that's the way it works,
even in state court.

They're never gonna
pick you.
I hope they do.

Never served on
a jury before.

There's a reason for that.
You're a judge.

I'm a person.
Yeah, not really.

I pack a lunch.
Someone packs it for you.

In a brown paper bag.

And what does it
say on that bag?
Nothing.

Does it say "World's Greatest
Eddie Punchclock" on that bag?

Maybe.

Anyway, it's state court.
And I'm looking forward to it.

To see
the criminal justice system

from a completely
different perspective.

Sorry.

Welcome to jury duty.
Good morning!

Morning.

Let's try that again.
Good morning!

Good morning!!

Much better.
Good morning.

My name's Ms. Ryan,
and I'm here to answer

any questions you have
except one,

which is
when can I go home?

The answer is 5:00.
5:00.

Not a minute before.
Do not ask.

Now --
What time are we
out of here?

5:00.

Thank you for asking.

A few other things
before we get --

Is it cool if
I bounce at 4:30?

5:00. Now, a few other things
before we get started.

There's no eating or drinking
in the courtrooms.

No pets. No weapons.
No chewing gum.

No photography.
No hope. No exit.

That's a joke.

There is an exit
right behind you to the left.

In a few minutes, some of you
will be assigned a courtroom.

Please be patient.

In the meantime,

please direct your attention
to our monitors

on which you will now see

an advanced screening of
"Wonder Woman."

Man: You have been summoned
for jury service.

Now is also the time to
put away your phones.

Thank you.
Thank you, all.

It's been a real pleasure.

...without the participation
of citizens like you.

Lydia: I did buy shampoo.

Look under the sink...

Under the sink...under.

Under.

Did you look
under the sink?

The sink...
under the sink.
Excuse me.

Yeah?
She said to
put away our phones.

Okay, gramps, got it.

Did you look
under the sink?

No, the sink.

Under the sink --

Allison: Is it true?
Yes, he's on jury duty.

Who?
Judge Byrne.

No, I wasn't asking
about that.

Really?
Judge Byrne?

In state court.
Is what true?

The rumor about
a softer, gentler,

more reasonable
Leonard Knox?

Who said that?
It's a rumor.

It's not anyone
in particular.

You just hear it.

Sandra.

I subpoenaed her
to turn over

confidential information
from her client.

I don't think she thinks
I'm softer or gentler.

It might have been
before that.

You're here about
Rodney Jenkins?

Yes.
Make your pitch.

Rodney has no priors.
This is a non-violent crime.

He's being charged as if he runs
an illegal tobacco ring

when in fact he's just
selling on the street.

He should be released on
his own recognizance.

It's a beautiful day.

I walked to work.
I never walk.

New York is glorious
this time of year.

I took the train.

The subway
is an amazing place.

One of the last places on Earth
where there is no hierarchy.

Everyone
is on equal footing.

Rodney's hearing
is in 15 minutes.

Walk to the courthouse
together?

The rumor. Is it true?

You haven't answered
my question.

Are you sure?

Your Honor,
Mr. Jenkins is being charged

with the illegal sale
of untaxed cigarettes

in violation of
18 USC 2342.

In light of the nature
of the offense,

and Mr. Jenkins' lack
of criminal history,

we would ask that
Mr. Jenkins be released

on his own recognizance.

No bail at all?
No, Your Honor.

Defendant moved here
from Baltimore six months ago?

That is correct, Your Honor.
To take care of his grandmother.

Do you have children,
Mr. Jenkins?

He does, Your Honor.
A daughter.

Her name is Sky.

Sky? Okay.
You supporting her?

He does his best,
Your Honor.

Well, obviously his best
isn't good enough.

His baby lives in Baltimore.

Yes. Sky --
That wasn't a question.

Mr. Knox, despite the fact
that the defendant

has a daughter living
in another state,

you do not consider him
to be a flight risk?

I do not.

Well,
I respectfully disagree.

Even bad fathers want to
see their daughters --

Your Honor, I strongly object
to the insinuation

that Mr. Jenkins
is a bad father

because he doesn't live
with his --

He's a bad father because
he's in custody in New York

and his daughter
is in Baltimore.

Given that he's facing
five years in prison

for a first offense,

I would like to persuade him
to appear in court.

I'll set bond at $100,000.

You can call the next case.

100 grand? Cool.

I'll liquidate my 401
and sell my yacht.

It's a personal
recognizance bond.

Not cash bail.
I don't get the difference.

It means you don't have
to put up money.

You just need
three people with means

or at least moral suasion
to sign --
Moral, what?

Three people close to you
need to sign the bond

saying they're responsible
for you showing up to court.

What about Sky's mother?

I don't want her
to know about this.

She'll use it against me.
Anyone else?

I came up there to take care
of my grandma in Harlem.

Anna.
She'll have my back.

My cousin, Gerald,
he stays up here, too.

I have a half-brother
in Astoria --

we don't talk much but
I sent him money last summer

when he was in a bind.

But that's all
the family I've got.

Well, let's start there.

How long will all
of this take?

A few days.

They served turkey
last night.

I'm not going to ask
how that was.

With gravy.

I'm sorry.
First time I ate.

It was actually
pretty good.

Hang in there.
Okay?

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

You have enough to do?

Or too much?

I'm fine. Really.

Sandra.

Take as much time
as you need

to get back to full speed,
okay?

You made one of the most
difficult calls

I've seen in my career.

There isn't a lawyer
in this office

who doesn't respect
what you did.

What you went through.

And I know they feel
the same way across the street.

They subpoenaed me.

That was awful.
I agree.

And I told Roger that
personally

in the strongest possible
terms.

Well, thank you for raising it
with him personally.

I know you two have
a good relationship,

so I'm sure
that wasn't easy.

I want your help
with something.

Okay!
Let's get this party started.

What do you say we kick this off
with a little voir dire?

Voir dire originally
referred to an oath

taken by jurors
to tell the truth.

Shut it.

Counsel, please proceed.

Juror Number 12,
is there any reason

you couldn't be impartial

in a case involving
one parent assaulting another

at their children's
sporting event?

I have nine children.

Does that mean
you can't be impartial?

It means
I hate children.

I'm a full-time
college student.

University
of Central Delaware.

It's online.

What year are you?
I'm 22.

What year are you
in college?

I'm 22 there, too.
I'm 22.

I'm a small-business owner.
A hair salon.

And when I say small,
I'm saying it's just me.

Your shop is closed
right now?

Could you repeat
the question?

I'm the chief judge for the
United States District Court

for the Southern District
of New York.

Are you or is any
member of your immediate
family an attorney?

Yes,
I'm the chief judge --

And do you or any of your
immediate family members

have any relationships in
the criminal justice system

that you believe could
potentially interfere

with your ability to serve
as a juror in this case?

Yes. Absolutely.
Thank you.

We're good, Your Honor.

Terrific.
We have our jury.

Congratulations.

Good news. I got you two
signatures on Rodney's bond.

Cousin Gerald
and Brother Eric.

Side note -- Brother Eric
is actually Brother Eric --

he joined the Nation of Islam
this week.

I just thought
that was funny.

Bad news?
Neither
is a great candidate.

Gerald is in every kind of debt
you can name.

Don't try. It's true.
All of them.

And Eric.
Excuse me, Brother Eric --

the only thing he owns is every
live Prince recording ever made.

Dope, but not worth much.

So, even if we get
a third co-signer --

Leonard might not approve
the bond application.

You want to hear
the good news?

One, Leonard Knox
is being reasonable.

Maybe Mercury
is in retrograde.

Whatever it is, he's cool.

Second, I looked into
Rodney's grandmother, Anna,

and she's the dream
co-signer.

Deacon at her church --

owns her brownstone in Harlem
outright.

Rodney says
she'll support him.

What did he do this time?
This time?

He tell you he come up from
Baltimore to take care of me?

Is that not true?

His baby's mama told him
to get lost

because he couldn't
hold down a job.

He's been leaving here
every morning

telling me he's going
on interviews.

He'll fool you, honey --
don't fall for it.

He needs your help.

I don't have any money.

The judge isn't
asking for money.

He's requiring three people
to sign a $100,000 bond

saying they're responsible for
Rodney making his court date.

What happens if he doesn't
make his court date?
I promise --

Honey, I don't care
what you're promising.

I don't know you.
But I do know that boy.

Now tell me what will happen
if he doesn't show.

You would be responsible
for the money.

$100,000.
But that's only if --

No.
I will not do this.

I don't have money.

But what I have
is this house.

I bought it with
my husband in 1981

and I own it
free and clear.

And I'm not risking that
for Rodney.

Now, when he gets out,

he'll have a place to stay
because he's family.

But he made his bed,
he can lie in it.

And you can tell him
I said that.

Look, I'm sorry.
Which one didn't
come through?

Gerald or Eric?

I don't blame her.
She's done a lot for me.

I used to spend summers up here
with my parents...

She'd tell me not to speak
ill of the dead.

Tell her I'm sorry.

I'm not mad at her, though.

We need someone else
to sign the bond.

Someone who can actually be
financially responsible.

It can be a friend.

You have friends who would risk
a hundred stacks for you?

I think.

I hope.

That must be nice.

It's so loud in here.

Never knew that.
Nobody ever talks about that.

I keep getting
this pain in my chest.

Jason.

Jason.

We grew up together
in Baltimore.

He works
at the Harlem DMV.
Okay.

It's a bar in Harlem.
That's confusing.

He owns it, but I'd hate
to lean on him.

Do you want to be in here
any longer than you have to?

I'm going to talk
to Jason.

"Project Runway"
is on tonight.

Will you take notes for me?

Yes. Of course.

I don't want to go
back in there.

Wiley: Mrs. McHugh,
can you please tell us

what you saw on
the baseball field that day?

Well, I typically don't watch
much of the games.

My son is terrible.

He's very uncoordinated
and lazy, like his father --

Mrs. McHugh --
Yeah. Okay.

Well,
I heard some commotion,

and when I looked up,
Carl French -- that man there --

was charging
across the field,

screaming about
some laser pointer.

But really? Carl was just upset
his son struck out

and he was gonna
take it out on someone.

I don't think he's ever
liked Mr. Orsua.

Objection.

Objection.

Conjecture.

Conjecture?

Sustained.

Mrs. McHugh,
you're nearsighted, correct?
Lacey: Yes.

Is that why you're
wearing glasses today?

Correct.

Can you read this,
Mrs. McHugh?

Carrot.

Would you mind
removing your glasses?

Can you read this?

Doesn't it still
say carrot?

Okay.
But can you read it?

It says carrot, right?

Okay, okay!
Just --

Hold on.

Can you read this?

No.

No, no, stop.

And were you wearing
your glasses

at the baseball game?

I was not.

I was wearing
my contacts.

As the evidence
clearly demonstrates,

Carl French viciously attacked
a fellow parent

because Mr. French's son
was playing poorly

and he needed
someone to blame.

So he concocted a story

about Mr. Orsua shining a laser
into his son's eyes.

Carl French is guilty.

"G."
Gave another man a concussion.

"U." Umpire was there --
he didn't see a problem.

"I." I don't believe eyes
were ever actually in danger.

"L."

First things first,
we need to --
Eat lunch.

Were you not
gonna say lunch?

I thought you were gonna
say lunch.

I'm hungry, too,
but let's pick a foreperson,

knock that out,
then eat on the state's dime.

Good call, Lydia.
I don't need
a co-signer, yo.

I'll be happy to serve
as foreperson.

I promise I'll take it seriously

and respect all
of your opinions.

I can get all of us out
of here before 5:00.

I vote for Lydia.

-Lydia.
-Yeah, absolutely.

Great.
Lydia, fantastic.

I know I said lunch,
but we should vote first.

Because if we all agree,

then we can just get
the hell out of here.

Who thinks Carl is guilty?

Seriously, dude?

Were you not watching
the PowerPoint?

The facts literally spell
"guilty."

Sorry, that's the way
I saw the case.

I'll be happy to explain.

All right.

Where are we eating?

Rodney?

What happened?

Rodney...if you don't
tell me what happened,

I can't help you.

Have you been to
the infirmary?

Do you want me to get you
into protective custody?

Listen.

Jason signed the bond.

The government
is reviewing the file.

The prosecutor
has to interview him,

but it's a formality
at this point.

What happened on
"Project Runway"?

What?

"Project Runway"
was on last night.

I asked you
to take notes.

Rodney --

What happened to Olivier?

He was safe.

Who won?

Kimberly.

I've really grown to appreciate
her silhouettes.

There was a lot of
personal drama this week.

Tell me.

The designers had to make
a day-to-night look for Nina.

Anya picked this awful
mustard fabric at Mood,

and when Nina saw it
in the workroom,

she made that "I'm concerned
about your taste level" face.

Anya was all about to cry,

and everyone jumped in
to help her finish --

except Viktor.

He thought
it was cheating.

Of course he did.

The judges ended up
loving Anya's jumpsuit.

It was this beautiful
bronzed color.

Backless. Belted.

Viktor totally wanted to
rat her out on the runway.

But he held his tongue.

Julie got eliminated.

Kerry Washington
wasn't feeling her look...

We need to get
this done quickly.

What?
We have a problem.

What is the problem?

The problem is you told me

I was getting a little old
grandma who owns property,

and that is not
a little old grandma.

She wouldn't sign.

Well,
you can't sub her out

with a friend
who has a prior.

That conviction
is from 2005.

He was 18.

Two ounces of pot?

That's, like, no pot.

It's pot.
It's a conviction.

Which means I can't
sign off on this.

I can't make this go away.

You can find someone else.

No, I can't.

What happened to
the kinder, gentler --

Don't with that.
I am right here.

But I work in an office

with policies and procedures
I have to follow.

I need to get him
out of there.

He's only been in jail
for three days.

And in only three days,

he's gone from a guy
with light in his eyes

to a guy
with a bruised face.

How would you do in jail
for three days?

I'm doing
everything I can.

I am doing
everything I can!

I'll interview him.

If I'm satisfied,
I will push this through.

Jason: $100,000?

Did Allison not discuss

the amount of the bond
with you?
She did.

It's just different hearing
it in here in this office.

There are official seals
on everything.

If Rodney fails to appear,

you're responsible
for that amount.

I get it.
By signing this bond,

you're making yourself
responsible

for Rodney appearing
in court.

When you say
"responsible" --

We could garnish
your wages.

Go after any assets
you have.

Which is why I'd like
to go over them now.

I've got the bar.

Bank owns most of it.

A 2007 Grand Cherokee.
All paid for.

According to the records,

you also have a condo
in Pittsburgh.

It's valued at 160 grand.

No.
That's my sister's.

The deed and the mortgage
are in your name.

But it's not mine.
Legally it is.

I bought that for her
when her husband left her.

Wait...

You're telling me --
We could go after
that house.

This is in the event
that Rodney skips town

or misses a court date.

That shouldn't happen.

I'm just required to lay out
the worst-case scenario.

Right.
Do you understand?

I do.

Good.

But I can't. Do this.

I know I said I would,

but I can't risk
my sister's place.

I have enough people
leaning on me.

I can't handle another.

Did anybody actually see
Mr. French strike Mr. Orsua?

Lydia: He went after him.

They ended up under
the bleachers

and the dude came out
with a cracked skull.

So, no?

What do you think
happened?

I don't know
what happened.

I just know
no one testified

to actually seeing Mr. French

drive Mr. Orsua's head
into the ground.

The lady did.
The mom.

No.

She said her friend
told her that.

Same difference.
No, it's not.

That testimony
was inadmissible.

-I heard it.
-Yeah. I heard it, too.

-You have to ignore it.
-Why?

-Because it was hearsay.
-Say what?

Hearsay.

An out-of-court statement

offered for the truth
of the matter asserted.

It was in court.
I heard it.

Yeah, I heard it, too.
The mom.

Listen.
I think you're probably right.

But I also think
French's wife

was having an affair
with Mr. Orsua.

What --
She looked like she felt
so sorry for him

when he was on the stand.

Like, she cared about him
more than her husband.

That would explain a lot.
I wish my husband would.

We don't know that that's true
and, frankly, it's irrelevant.

To you.

I have my set of facts,
you have yours.

That's not how facts work.

I may not be a judge,
but that's how I feel.

My facts are my facts.

So you switching your vote yet,
Pops, or what?

Not guilty.

Well, I tried.

We can all thank
Mr. Belvedere

for dragging this out
another day.

I've been calling you.

I know. I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I've been out
trying to find money.

Weirdly, people who Rodney
hasn't seen for a few years

don't want to be on the hook
for $100,000.

This is crazy.
Bail is crazy.

The idea that freedom
depends on money.

It's pretty much the whole
system, isn't it?

It's cruel.
It's stupid.

And this is federal court.

If Rodney
were in state court,

he'd actually have to
come up with the cash.

I'm sure Leonard
isn't helping.

He actually is.
Really?

I'm sure you don't want
to hear that right now,

but he's trying.

I don't know what
it is about Rodney.

If things had shaken out
differently,

he could have gone
to Princeton.

He could be a lawyer.

Or a fashion designer or
the next Kehinde Wiley.

He would've been our friend.

He would've come home

and watched
"Master of Crowns" with us.

Let's go home, Al.
And watch "Master of Crowns" --

I don't want to go home.

There's nothing you can do
here right now.

We'll look for money
in the apartment.

Maybe there's at least
four quarters in the couch.

Let's go home.

That's it.

What?

There is money
in the apartment.

Where?

I need a favor.

Where's the little vase
that was up here on the shelf?

A client of mine,
Rodney Jenkins,

is close to posting bail

but I can't find
a third co-signer
for the bond

to put him
over the top.

Is that something we're
supposed to understand?

I want to co-sign for Rodney
so he can get out of jail.

It was right here --

I don't own any property.

The government
will want that.

I'm asking you to sign.

Did you throw it away?

Dad, I'm trying
to talk to you.

Sign what?
The bond.

She wants us to
sign the bond.

For Rodney?

The Rodney we just heard
about three seconds ago?

He's a criminal.

He's not a criminal.

He's in jail.
He was arrested.

For a crime.
For selling
cigarettes --

Which is a crime,
right?

Right?
Why are you --

Forget Rodney.
This isn't about Rodney.

You would be doing
this for me.

I get 25% of my trust
when I turn 30.

Skip it. Keep it.

I am 100% sure Rodney will
make his court appearances,

but this way
you'd be protected.

This is basically
a loan to me.

An advance on money

you're already
planning on giving me,

and all it takes
is a signature.

Al, I think you are improperly
attached to this Rodney.

What?
I agree.

And there's a chance
it doesn't end here.

He could be using you.

Are you...
You guys are serious?

Yes, we're serious.

And, no, we are not
signing for you or Rodney

or anyone else
you fall in love with.

You're just putting your name
on a piece of paper.

Listen.

I know you don't love

what I'm doing
with my life.

I don't understand it,
and I think it's unfair.

We can talk about
that later.

But right now?

I am your daughter,

and I am asking you
for help.

Please.

I don't think
it's a good idea,

and I think at some point
when you are older,

you will understand
and appreciate this decision.

I am not a child!
Really?

You're living in our
apartment for free.

You call us for money,
and for no other reason.

You want, you ask,
and you take

with no consideration
for who we are.

You are a child.

You are our child
and we're your parents,

and we're saying no.

No.

Find the vase
and put it back.

So, listen.

Jason --

I know.
I can see it on your face.

I tried to raise
some money myself.

Are we done here now?

Rodney,
I'm going to push

to get a deferred
prosecution deal.

That would mean
no jail time --

Yeah, I heard this before.
From you.

No jail time.
And here I am.

In jail. For what?

Two more weeks?
Months?

Five years?
It won't be that long.

You keep saying that
and here I am!

And I haven't even been
convicted of anything.

I'm done talking.
I'm done talking to you.

I'm sorry.
This isn't your fault.

I just can't talk about
this anymore.

I can't hope I'm gonna
get out anytime soon.

The only way to survive
in here is to have no hope.

Zero.
To live minute by minute.

I need to survive.

I'm going to survive.

I'm gonna make it through this
and do better.

When I get out,
whenever that is,

I'm gonna be a better man.

I'm gonna be a father
who is there

and provides for his daughter
in the right way.

I want to be the person for her
that I never had.

I want her to be happy,
and I want to be happy.

But right now,
I can't have any hope.

Because I need to survive.

Because I want to live
to see something good.

How do you do it?

There's a little hook.

No. Not that.

Is it about
the bike generally?

How do you live with Seth?

Because of
the sleep walking?

Because he's
a prosecutor.

That?
That's not a problem.

Don't you think it impacts
the way you do your job?

It certainly doesn't make me
any less aggressive,

if that's what you mean.

If anything,
it's the other way around,

especially if he's left
dishes in the sink.

Or let that cat in
from across the hall.

I do not like that cat.

Why?
Just curious.

It's not an issue.
We do our jobs.

I would never compromise
anything for him.

And he wouldn't for me.

And I don't think any of us
in this office

would be any other way.

How long have you been
sitting in here?

An hour.

That's weird.
Right?

It's really no better than
the coffee in the office.

But we're out
of the office.
You say that like
it's a good thing.

It is. We're out.

In the city with people.

In the vibrant,
pulsating life of the city.

You returned that cocaine,
right?

Okay, let's go.
What?

Why is he so short?

He's a normal-sized man.

I always thought he was,
like, seven feet tall

with abs made of dark,
weathered granite.

Come on.
We need to leave now.

We don't need to leave.
Why do we need to leave?

Because
I don't want to end up

doing anything
awkward.

Then don't do
something awkward.

Not really an option.
Just sit here.

I'm sure he doesn't
even see us.
Judge!

What the hell --

I told you.
Now I have to go over.

No, you don't.
You can stay here.

He's there.
You're here --

Morning.
Hello, Your Honor.

Good morning, Ms. Littlejohn.
Mr. Oliver.

Do you want to join me?
No, we don't want
to bother you.

Is that a juror badge?

I'm serving our state court
this week from the jury box.

Wow.
That must be weird.

Mostly for the others.

Not that you're weird --

Seth hasn't had
his coffee.

Yeah, it is weird.

They have no respect
for what I do

and my years of experience
in the courtroom.

Well, that's kind of
the point.

Right?
Seth --

No, I just mean,
you're a judge.

They're people.

They're supposed to be
just people.

With no special knowledge
or experience.

If it was all judges
and lawyers on a jury,

it wouldn't be a jury.
It'd be a...judgery.

He's not well --

That's an excellent point,
Mr. Oliver.

There's no room for
a judge on that jury.

Thank you.

What are those?
Doughsants.

Part doughnut,
part croissant.

I figured since I've been
the one muddying up the works,

I could at least
bring a treat.

I'm open to change my vote.

I realize I may have been
stubborn and arrogant

up to this point.

So, go ahead.

Tell me why French
is guilty.

He ran at the guy.

He was yelling.
He was.

He had all the reason
in the world to do it

because of the laser pointer
being shined at his kid.

And because of
the affair the guy

was having with
French's wife.

Those shoes
he was wearing.

They're not shoes.
They're not sandals.

What are they?
They're douchey.

I own the same pair.

I had to bail my daughter
out of jail once.

A friend dragged
her to a party.

It got busted.

That friend bought drugs.

My daughter was carrying
her purse.

They didn't charge her
because of who I am.

But if they did --
if she went to trial,

who would believe that
she went to that party

and didn't drink or do drugs?

It's not logical.

I'm her father, and I assumed
that she was lying.

Listen, that dude
might have done it.

Probably did. I think he did.
I'll be honest.

But if I'm putting myself
in his position,

or my daughter's --

and we've all been there --
is that enough?

My husband fights
with other parents

at my daughter's
soccer games.

I hate it.

Maybe that has something to do
with how I'm thinking.

People in my building accuse me
of hogging three dryers

with no evidence at all.

I do. I hog them.
But they don't know that.

Is second-degree assault
too much

for a skirmish at
a Little League game?

Rodney?

Rodney.

I feel like I can see
the future with him.

Two distinct paths.

We get him out on bond,

Leonard and I work out
a deferred prosecution deal

and he turns
this all around.

He can be special
at anything he does.

The other path?

You know what it is.
I do.

I asked my parents
to sign the bond.

Okay.
That's...unorthodox.

They said no.
Why?

I don't know.

I don't understand
my parents.

I never have.

I was a horrible kid
growing up.

I was an army brat.
We moved a lot.

The easiest way
to make new friends

is to fall in
with the bad kids.

I stole. I drank.
I liked girls.

Before I knew it,

I was 23 with a son

and I hadn't spoken to
my parents in four years.

What's his name?

Marvin.

I wanted him to have
a nerdier name than me.

Marvin.

His name was Marvin.

I'm sorry.

Um...

When he passed,

my parents were on
my doorstep the next morning.

They drove 16 hours
from Chicago.

Stayed with me for a month.

I was done.

I was done.

And they brought me
back to life.

Parents don't always do
what we want when we want,

but they try
to do their best.

And they come through

when they know
you have nowhere else to go.

Your parents made
that calculation.

I'll be fine.

But Rodney
doesn't have parents.

And the people
he does have?

They are not coming through
for him.

This whole experience has
reinforced every awful thing

that's happened in his life.

I am his person here,

and I can't do
a damn thing for him.

Maybe these people
don't know what you know?

What's that?

That this is it
for Rodney.

That this is the moment

that will make him
or break him.

You have to make them see
what you see.

Or you can give up.

You've done a lot
for him already.

What are you gonna do?

What you asked for.

The police report from the night
Roger Gunn was swatted.

You were right.
Jill was there.

I'm not a lawyer.

I don't have to follow
your rules.

But I know people.
I know Jill.

I know what she gives
to this job.

I would leave it alone.

Judge Jones: Welcome back!

Let me do a quick count
to make sure

we didn't lose anyone
on the trip.

Great.
Still have 12.

Now, I understand
you've reached a verdict.

Yeah, it took awhile,
but we got it.

What say you?

We, the jury, in the case

of the People of the State of
New York v. Carl French,

find the defendant
not guilty.

Tina: Good afternoon,
Juror Number 9!

Please.

Number 4.
And?

How was it?

Not what I expected.

But still interesting.

Alarming, sad, unfair,
frustrating.

Deeply unsettling
at times.

But, you know,
all those people,

they got it right
in the end.

I think.

Wasn't always clear
that they would.

That we would.

People were drawing pictures
more than I think is healthy

in that environment, but
I think we did get it right.

And, you know, over here,

we have all these
great lawyers and judges

who are so smart
and so learned and so rigorous,

and they get it wrong.

A lot.

At a real cost to
people's lives.

This system is imperfect
and unfair

in ways
I never really understood.

You didn't talk to them
like that, did you?

A-At first, yeah.

Didn't go over well.

I wouldn't think so.

But we warmed up
to each other.

We -- We talked to
each other like people.

The jury room.
The hospital waiting room.

The subway car.

There aren't
many places left

where you're just
one little person

bumping up against
another little person.

All together,
all elevated --

or diminished, I suppose,

depending on
where you came from.

All equal.

And in that moment, anyway,
all connected.

I don't have anything
left to say.

I know. I was hoping
I could just say something.

I liked Rodney instantly.

That's not usually
how it works for me.

I felt like I knew him
for years

the second
I laid eyes on him.

He's smart, sensitive,
optimistic, charming.

He did not have all of
the things I had growing up,

but he had you.

Rodney is such a great person
because of you.

My parents sent me
to the best schools,

put me in the best clothes.

I live in their immaculate
apartment.

But I don't have
their support.

That hurts me.

I know it, but it
surprises me every time.

I can't complain

because they've given me
everything else,

because this world we live in,
this system,

it is set up
to help people like me.

Cut one string?

There are a thousand
others holding me up.

The system is stacked
against Rodney.

I'm not making excuses for him,
but it's true.

We all make mistakes.

Some of us are lucky enough

to not have our mistakes
come back and haunt us.

It's a luxury.

Rodney has one string left.

One person left.

You can't cut the string.

Not now when he has
nothing else holding him up.