You read about guys being let out of prison because it's too crowded.
And here I am and I didn't do nothing.
If that doesn't beat all.
I know, Jeff.
You can't lose hope. Understand me? You can't lose hope.
Happy Thanksgiving.
- I bet we're gonna have good turkey. - Of course we are.
Where's your teeth?
You need your teeth if you're gonna eat turkey.
Where's your teeth, Grandpa?
Did I have my teeth last time you were here?
Of course you had. You had teeth this morning.
He doesn't remember so well.
- What did I do with my teeth? - He's very proud of you.
He always talks about his grandson studying to become a lawyer.
I wish he could remember that I am a lawyer.
Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. So what? He's still proud.
Arnie, are you sure I had my teeth this morning?
I know you had teeth.
What's that? By the television.
All right. I'm ready.
I hope your friend won't mind me coming.
No, Arnie. This is Thanksgiving. There will be a lot of people.
You'll be all right.
Let me get this here.
- Okay, guys. - Let's go, let's go.
I hope they don't have yams. I hate yams.
I can't eat off my knees.
What happened to sitting at a table?
You say: "Pass the salt". "A little more stuffing, please".
Is it true, that Fleming passed the polygraph test?
Larry, that's privileged information.
Let's just say I'm one of the privileged. He did, didn't he?
What are the odds? Nobody wanted to believe he's innocent.
I can't talk about that.
I could tell this is catered.
Turkey I know. What is this?
- Excuse me... - Go ahead, go ahead.
- Thank you. - Go already.
What is this fancy thing over here?
You don't like it? You don't eat it.
I'll bet it's the yams. They're hiding the yams so I'll eat it.
Hi. How are you?
Is it Jay?
What do you think, Arthur?
Hello, Larry.
Do you like it? It came to me during the night.
- I gotta talk to you. - Excuse me.
Marcie, I'm coming back. When I do, you can pet it.
- What are you doing? What's going on? - Nothing.
What do you mean? What are you doing with that head?
- Where'd you get it? - I shaved my head.
- What for? - A change of pace.
You shaved your head for a change of pace?
Also, do you see what it does? It's going to make it thick.
When this comes back it's gonna be thick.
What's bothering you?
Don't play big brother, all right?
Where's that Marcie?
Will the defendant please rise.
I find the defendant guilty of armed robbery
I don't understand. What's going on? Am I going to jail?
Since this is the defendant's first major offence, -
- and he has no criminal record and is currently employed, -
- I request an investigation.
- You foresee a favourable report? - Yes, Your Honour.
A probation report is to be drawn up and presented within fifteen days.
Sentencing will be withheld until that time.
What happens now?
They prepare a report for the judge -
- and in fifteen days you should be out on probation.
- Should be? I have to be. - Don't worry, you'll be okay.
Arthur.
Where are you going?
- My office. - Come in, I'll take you.
- It's a new one, huh? - Yeah, you like it?
- Arthur, I've got a problem. - What?
- This young girl... - Not again, Carl.
I think it's a paternity suit.
Well, you know me, Arthur.
Is Jay letting his hair grow back or keeping it shaved?
He shaves it every day.
He carries around a razor -
- which he runs over his head all day long.
Jesus. Sounds pretty bad.
He's not all right, is he?
He's all right. He'll be all right.
You know, the committee's considering calling him in.
His clients are complaining.
He's postponing his court dates. He's got a problem.
He's all right. He's all right.
You know what this whole thing comes down to, don't you?
Every day, defence lawyers get guilty people off and are not affected by it.
It's not supposed to affect them.
The difference is that Jay was affected by it. He was hurt by it.
- That's not the point. - Isn't it ironic?
That the one lawyer who felt something is brought before your ethics committee?
Don't make yourself out to be the only sensitive person around here.
I know Jay was hurting.
That's not the point. He's not functioning properly because of it.
He's all right. He just needs time. I've taken over his court cases.
He's emphasizing on contracts. Now lay off him, okay?
I'm just trying to let you know what's going on.
I love the way the hierarchy works. You're going after guys like Jay -
- and nobody is doing anything about Judge Rayford, who's a suicidal maniac.
- Rayford? - Yes.
The man is bent on killing himself.
A bailiff once found him trying to hang himself.
You know where he eats his lunch?
Outside his window, on the ledge, four stories high.
This man is making value decisions on people's lives.
His personal behaviour is not affecting his work.
- You know that for sure? - He's an excellent judge.
- And Jay's an excellent lawyer. - I know. He was. That's not the point.
The point is, his problems are affecting his clients.
That's why the committee wants to see him.
Oh, God.
You know, there are times -
- when I'm not too sure I like you.
We are so opposite -
- in how we feel about things.
Maybe that's good.
- That's perfect, right? - Right.
As long as we keep a little friction between us, there are no problems.
That's all the photos in the Fleming case.
Here's the name and address of a witness that lives in Leah's neighbourhood.
- He thinks you ought to see this guy. - What does this say? Reisler?
Reisler. Yeah, Reisler.
She's a little constipated. She's got that look on her face.
You saw somebody go into Leah's house on the night of the attack?
Can you describe that person?
I'd say he was a young fella.
Small build, about 5'6, 5'7.
- Cherry? - No, thanks.
A small fella, huh?
Could you identify him if you saw him?
No, it was too dark. Too far.
You knew about the publicity this case is getting?
Newspapers about Judge Fleming?
Then how come you didn't report this to the police?
I went to the police. I told them I had information for them -
- and they told me to wait. I waited one, two, three hours.
I finally turned around and went home.
I couldn't spend the whole night there.
Do you know Leah Shephard?
Oh, you know, to wave to her and say hello.
Would you testify to what you just said in court?
I guess I would, if I had to.
But I really don't wanna get involved.
Then what happened?
I told him to move on, but he used profanity and refused to leave.
What sort of profanity?
You know, the normal kind.
We've all heard these words before. What did he say?
He used "fuck" a lot.
And "Piss on you".
And said he was going to "bunghole" the short-order chef.
He was going to "cream" on the waitress. Stuff like that.
There's a very good reason for all that, Your Honour.
What is that?
I'm a diabetic.
I don't get it. I've never heard of diabetes causing foul language.
That's because you're a douche bag.
Make sure this man gets a psychiatric evaluation.
I will withhold a verdict pending a medical report.
Day in, day out, same goddamn thing. These people belong in a mental home.
That judge is slower than the six-o'clock news.
- What can you do for me? - A year.
Are you kidding? I thought it was bargain day. He'll buy six months.
All right. What else have you got?
Fenwick.
- Eighteen months. - Eighteen months?
You tell him. He's crazy. He'll snap your neck.
Tell him a year, but the offer's only good for today.
Frank, come on...
He's got beady eyes. He's a maniac.
He bit off two of his cellmate's fingers. I can't tell him a year.
It's the best I can do. I'm not in a good mood.
- Frank? - Here I am.
- Is that it? - Yeah.
I'll get back to you on Fenwick.
- I have to talk to you. - I've got a case coming up.
Then what happened, Mr Saltzman?
This punk kept pulling my wife's purse and she wouldn't let go.
So I tried to get him off.
He pushes me aside and knocks my wife into a wall.
You want the good news first?
- Shoot. - Fleming passed the polygraph.
And I have an eyewitness.
We will call the defendant Robert Avillar to the stand.
And as for your star witness, Leah Shephard...
We know about her credibility.
You want me to throw the whole Fleming thing out the window?
I've got you by the balls. He's innocent.
If the DA drops the case, everybody will scream political deal.
The old lady kept hanging on. She lets go of the purse, I'm gone.
But she kept hanging on. I didn't mean any harm.
You're gonna come out of this looking like a jerk.
Maybe. But let me tell you something.
If this was a run-of-the-mill killing, maybe we could deal.
This is not. This is too hot. It's the silver ring.
Any questions from the State?
- What the hell are you doing? - This is a dream come true.
Don't spoil it. When I get Fleming down I'm gonna crucify him!
My client has no criminal record. He just wanted to take her money.
It's the Super Bowl, Art. And I'm the quarterback.
With three seconds to go, I drop back to pass and there's a touchdown.
Fleming's carried out on a stretcher. It's that big.
I find you guilty. But I'm not going to jail you.
I'm placing you on probation for one year.
One year probation? What kind of punishment is that?
People are really pissed off at the law. I'll turn that to my advantage.
You're representing the sacrificial lamb.
This is justice? What kind of world do we live in?
Crazy! The whole world is crazy.
What's going on?
It's Jay Porter. He's gone completely crazy.
Jay!
It's me, Arthur!
- Where did he get the plates? - From the cafeteria.
He's been bringing them up all morning. Nobody paid any attention to him.
No, no! He's not armed.
- What's he got? - He's got plates.
Put that away. What's going on?
He's not armed. He's just throwing plates.
- Does anybody know who he is? - It's Jay Porter. He's a lawyer.
A lawyer? Mr Porter!
- Here. - No, wait, wait.
Hold this. I'm gonna wrestle him.
- Are you all right? - Yeah, fine.
Get some canisters. We'll gas him out.
Oh, Christ!
- How about I run interference? - What do you mean?
I've got this. You stay right on my tail.
Judge coming through!
Jay, it's me, Arthur!
Jay, listen to me.
No! I'm not ready! No!
I'm not ready to try this case!
I'm not ready! I'm not ready, Judge! Please!
Help me, help me, help me!
Warren, could you do me a favour?
Three o'clock, courtroom A.
My client, Ralph Agee. They're reviewing his probation report.
They screwed up the report. I made these corrections.
- Make sure the judge sees it. - No problem.
You'll be in and out in five minutes.
He'll be wearing a blonde wig.
Don't let it throw you. It makes him happy.
Tell Agee I'll call him tonight, and I'm sorry I couldn't make it.
I drew up the contract. I just wanted you to review it.
- So I reviewed it. - For a 7,000 dollar fee?
Doctors treat each other for free. Where's some professional courtesy?
Screw that, this is business. Besides, I got the lunch.
- Come on, Warren. - My God, Arthur's case!
I forgot all about it. I'll see you later.
What are we waiting for?
For Arthur Kirkland. Sentencing on Ralph Agee.
Check the halls. See if he's lost.
Let's move on here.
Sorry I'm late. I'm filling in for Mr Kirkland.
I will not permit this type of conduct.
When you're due in my court at three, I expect you here at that time.
I have a copy of Ralph Agee's probation report here.
- Are you familiar with this? - Yes, I am, Your Honour.
Who are you?
Mr Kirkland asked me to handle this. You'll be out of here in a second.
Do you have anything to say about this report?
It's all right there in front of you.
Well, I'm not satisfied.
Ralph Agee, will you stand before the court? Stand up.
On the basis... And take off that wig.
On the basis of this report, I sentence you to three years -
- in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
Mr Kirkland said I'd be out on probation.
He said I'd be out on probation!
I'd like to call your attention to some corrections...
You know the proper procedure for appeal.
I'd like to move things along.
We have another case, Your Honour. State of Maryland versus Della.
Are you crazy?
Arthur!
Arthur, damn you!
Back off, dammit! Watch out for the car!
Arthur, knock it off! Are you nuts?
- Get out! - For Christ's sake, stop it!
Back off and I'll get out.
What the hell's wrong with you? What are you doing to my car?
Tell me about it. You tell me about Agee.
Tell me about it.
It got by me.
It got by you? It got by you?
It got by you! By you!
Just stay away from the car!
Agee did not have to go to jail. He did not have to go to jail!
So he gets out on probation in ten months. It's not all my fault.
I hate those cases. I was doing you a favour.
- What kind of favour? - It's all nickel and dime, Arthur!
Don't you care? Warren, don't you even care?
If you cared so much, why weren't you there? I do care, but not about them.
They're people, Warren.
They're people. Just people.
If he's not in jail this week he will be next week.
You know probation's at fault. Appeal it.
I can't appeal. He's dead!
He's dead!
Half an hour after they put him in the lock- up -
- he hanged himself.
Goddammit!
I'm sorry.
- Goddammit! - I'm sorry...
Goddammit!
Judge?
- Judge? - Yeah.
I spoke with the state attorney's office.
They're gonna go ahead with an indictment.
- Who'd you talk to? - Bowers. Frank Bowers.
Well, he's right.
If we don't go to court, it'll look like a political manoeuvre.
I want everything out in the open. I'm very pleased.
Okay, what about McCullaugh?
I need your ruling on my motion for a new trial. What about it?
The groundwork is prepared. We'll have a date soon.
What do you mean, groundwork? Are you jerking me off here?
I just need a yes or a no.
Tell McCullaugh to be patient.
Patient?
- What did you say? - What do you mean patient?
Judge, this is not a case of monetary damages.
This is a human being we're talking about.
A boy who's in prison, frightened out of his mind.
Fighting every day for his life. I can't tell him to be patient.
Prison should be frightening. Let the criminals create their own hellhole.
Are you crazy? What are you talking about?
I tell you, the idea of punishment to fit the crime doesn't work.
We need unjust punishment.
Hang somebody for armed robbery. Try it. We have nothing to lose.
Do you understand what I'm saying, for God's sake?
You don't, do you?
You fellas with your fancy ideas of rehabilitation.
The concept of rehabilitation is a farce.
Do you honestly think -
- that bringing Johnny Cash into prisons to sing railroad songs -
- is gonna rehabilitate anyone?
Most people are sick and tired of crime in the streets.
Do you hear what I'm saying? Arthur? Arthur!
Could you tell us what's going on?
How many hostages are there?
A statement is all we want.
The clinic doctor felt he was well enough to go back to his cell.
All of a sudden McCullaugh had a gun. Where do these guards come from?
No training, no education and no motivation.
I hope you have this thing under control.
We can't sit on this for long.
There are too many goddamn criminals in this building!
Open up.
Get those nurses off the floor.
Excuse me, warden.
I couldn't hold him any longer. He had to go back.
He had to, huh?
That's not the point. I'm surprised he's even awake.
I loaded him up on tranqs just before he was to leave.
Jeff? Jeff?
It's me, Arthur.
Hi, Mr Kirkland.
Hi.
- How are you doing? - Pretty good. And you?
I'm all right.
- Can I come in? - Where are you?
- I'm out in the hallway. - I can't see you.
Can you see me now?
I'm over here in the hallway. Can you see me?
Could I come in you think?
I guess so.
Okay, I'm coming in.
So, what's new?
You know, the usual. Business.
Jeff, this is crazy. You know?
I know. I mean, me taking hostages. That's what's really crazy.
It took me forty minutes to tie them up because I couldn't make a good knot.
- Would you know how to do that? - I don't know. I guess I would...
I guess you make a square knot. That's the easiest. I don't know.
Would you take a look to see if I did these okay?
Sure, Jeff.
Look at the knot.
You sure tied them.
They're good knots.
Tell them not to come in here! I don't want anybody in here!
Get out! Down!
Oh, Jeff.
Jeff, now look... You can't win this thing.
Understand? You can't win.
This is their thing. They gear up for this kind of thing. Please.
I can't stand it anymore.
They raped me. A whole bunch of times.
And other stuff, too.
Jeff. Jeff...
Can I move closer, Jeff?
- Can I move closer? - I guess so.
Just down here. I want to talk to you.
Jeff... Listen to me, Jeff.
I don't know what to tell you. I just don't know.
Anything I tell you... It's just that you gotta give up.
- Give up? To whom? - Jeff, you gotta do it.
Everybody screwed me. Who else is there?
Would you go away please?
I just want this much free space. This much is all I want.
I swear to God, Jeff... It'll be all right.
You did what you could. But nothing makes sense anymore. Not in here.
- What are you gonna do? - Nothing. I don't have to do anything.
- You can't just sit there. - Yes, I can!
All I want to do is sit here.
Okay.
- It's cold in here. - You want my coat?
My legs... Oh, God.
My legs are cramping so bad I can hardly move them.
Stay down!
Arthur, come on in.
- It's Sunday, Carl. - I want to show you something.
What's up?
Your partner's coming back, I hear.
- Will they let him practice again? - Sure. Why not?
Who says you gotta be sane to practice law?
Come on, what's going on? What do you want?
I've got a little present for you. You know, favour for favour.
Sweetheart, give him the pictures.
There you have it.
It's the head of the Ethics Committee, -
- Judge Fleming and the hooker.
She takes a good picture, huh?
What do you think? Does that cover my legal fees for the next two years?
Oh, Carl...
Take the pictures. It's a token of my appreciation.
Oh, my, my...
Look, Arthur...
These photos are disgusting, but not proof that Fleming raped Leah Shephard.
He did it. The son of a bitch is guilty.
Okay. Then drop the case.
- I can't. - Why not?
Because the man with the whip is blackmailing me.
He's blackmailing you? What for?
A long time ago I betrayed a client's confidence.
It's a long story, Gail.
That's why Zinoff pulled your file.
What do you mean?
After you walked out on the committee, we did a check on you.
- A check on me? - Yeah.
Zinoff requested it. I had no idea why.
You mean to tell me that while we were sleeping together -
- you and the fellas were making decisions on my life?
- Gail, on my life? - Would you just let me finish?
Then Zinoff said he wanted to personally review your case.
- I swear, I had no idea. - Jesus, this whole thing stinks!
Okay, if you feel that way about it, then fight them. Go ahead.
Go up against them. Take the consequences.
Consequences? The consequences are that I'll be disbarred.
- I know that. - I'm a lawyer. It's all I know.
Then do it. Defend Fleming. You'll win the case. No disbarment.
You'll end up being a very important lawyer.
A judge is guilty of beating and raping a woman.
You're talking crazy. You don't know he's guilty.
You assume he is guilty because you hate him so much.
Even if he is, what difference does it make?
A defence lawyer has to defend people who are guilty. You know that.
Would you defend him? If you were me, would you do it?
I would because it's my job. You know?
Look...
You took an oath to defend your clients as best you can.
If you can't do that, then get out.
Where'd you get these?
I've been carrying them around for a couple of days. What do they mean?
I see the wheels spinning.
Sex photos, sex crime. Is he guilty?
Is he?
Yes.
What about the polygraph?
The eyewitness. How did you do that?
Those were taken care of for me.
So, now you have it.
I'll see you in court, Arthur.
Oh, you forgot these.
So, you're home on leave?
Arthur's in the coastguard.
I don't understand. He's getting worse.
It depends. He comes, he goes.
You didn't come for three weeks. He missed you very much.
I was busy, Arnie. I had the trial and all.
I know, I know. It's important to you.
But you missed three Tuesdays, so he lost his sense of time.
You know, Arnie...
I don't know what I'd do if he goes.
- He's the only family I've got. - He's very proud of you.
I'm a lawyer because of him.
He wanted it for me and he made sure I got it.
To him -
- being a lawyer was the finest thing you could be.
Your Honour, court's about to begin.
Coming! Coming!
You must admit she's an attractive woman.
I wouldn't mind seeing her again.
You'll be fine. Just answer simply and directly.
Silence. All rise.
All persons in this court draw near and pay attention.
The Honourable Francis Rayford presiding.
Be seated.
It's really very simple.
We have a judge, the symbol ofjustice here -
- who's accused of raping and brutally beating this young girl.
We can do something about it.
We can do it today and we can do it together.
Let's make this our goal line stand.
Just give me a verdict of guilty.
I need your help.
Thank you.
The Prosecutor has completed his opening statement.
- Is the defence counsellor ready? - Yes, Your Honour.
Your Honour, Mr Foreman, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
My name is Arthur Kirkland -
- and I am the defence counsellor for the defendant -
- Judge Henry T. Fleming.
That man over there is the prosecuting attorney.
And he couldn't be happier today.
He is a happy man because today he's going after a judge.
And if he gets him -
- he's gonna be a star.
He will have his name in this month's Law Review, centrefold.
Lawyer of the month.
Now, in order to win this case he needs you.
Naturally. You're all he's got.
So, he's counting on tapping that emotion in you, which says:
"Let's get somebody in power. Let's get a judge."
However, these proceedings are here to see thatjustice is done.
And justice is, as any reasonable person would tell you, finding the truth.
And what is the truth today?
One tragic truth -
- is that that girl has been beaten and raped.
Another truth is that the prosecution has no witness.
Does not have one piece of evidence -
- other than the testimony of the victim herself.
Another truth is that my client voluntarily, -
- and the prosecution is well aware of this, -
- took a lie detector test...
Objection! That's inadmissible evidence.
- Come on, Arthur. - He told the truth.
The jury will disregard that remark.
Polygraph tests have not been proven reliable enough. They are inadmissible.
Sorry, Your Honour.
Let's get back to justice.
What is justice?
What is the intention ofjustice?
The intention is to prove guilty the guilty and free the innocent.
Simple, isn't it?
Only it's not that simple.
However, it is the defence counsellor's duty -
- to protect the rights of the individual.
As it is the prosecution's duty to uphold the laws of the state.
Justice for all.
Only we have a problem here. And do you know what it is?
Both sides want to win.
We want to win.
We want to win regardless of the truth.
We want to win regardless of justice. Regardless of who's guilty or innocent.
Winning is everything.
That man wants to win so badly today. It means so much to him.
He is so carried away with the prospect of winning -
- that he forgot something that's essential to today's proceedings.
He forgot his case.
He forgot to bring it. I don't see it. Do you?
The prosecution has got to have a case.
Not a witness. Not one piece of evidence -
- other than the testimony of the victim herself.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a case to end all cases.
I have witnesses for my client. I have character references.
Testimonials that are backed up from here to Washington DC.
- I have lie detector tests... - Objection!
Objection sustained. Mr Kirkland, you are out of order!
The one thing that bothered me...
The one thing that stayed in my mind and haunted me -
- was why?
Why would she lie?
What was her motive for lying?
If my client is innocent, she's lying. Why?
Was it blackmail? No.
Was it jealousy? No.
Yesterday I found out why.
She doesn't have a motive.
You know why?
Because she's not lying.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury...
The prosecution -
- is not going to get that man today. No.
Because I'm gonna get him.
My client, the Honourable Henry T. Fleming, -
- should go right to fucking jail!
The son of a bitch is guilty!
That man is guilty.
That man there... That man is a slime.
He is a slime. If he's allowed to go free -
- then something is really wrong here.
- Mr Kirkland, you're out of order. - You're out of order!
The whole trial is out of order. They're out of order.
That sex-crazy, depraved man -
- raped and beat that woman. And he'd like to do it again.
It's just a show! It's a show! It's "Let's Make a Deal".
Let's make a deal! Frank, you wanna make a deal?
I have an insane judge who likes to beat up women.
What'll you give me? Three weeks probation?
You son of a bitch!
You're supposed to stand for something, to protect people.
Instead you fuck and murder them!
You killed McCullaugh! You killed him!
Hold it, hold it!
I just completed my opening statement!
Oh, shit.
The judge says, you won the trial. So now he's doing two to ten.
Hi, Arthur.
Good to see ya. Nice day.