Picket Fences (1992–1996): Season 2, Episode 12 - Remote Control - full transcript

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Mom! Dad! Dad!

- What?
- What?

I think I gotta pee.

- Okay,
- It's okay.

No. I mean for real. Regular.

You mean like on the toilet?

- Yes. I feel it, I think I can do it.
- Is it...

- We'll undo you honey.
- What?

- Just lean back, all right?
- Yeah.

We're gonna get you
in there, come on.

- Easy, easy
- Hurry.



- All right. Coming through.
- Get back.

- Zack!
- Here we go. Coming through.

- His penis works?
- Yes, it does.

- Let's get going.
- Here we go, here we go.

- Easy does it, Honey.
- There you are.

- Easy easy.
- Now,

you'll help him with his pants, right?

- Just relax, sweetie.
- Get out!

- All right.
- Come on, out. Everybody out.

- I wanna see!
- No, no, let's go. Come on.

- Come on, Mom!
- I wanna watch.

Everybody out.
Come on. All of you.

His thing works again!

Never mind.



Nothing's happening.

Well, that's all right,
you just take your time.

Please God, let him pee.

Let him go, please.

It feels like it will come out,
but it's not.

Well, here, why don't you
just take my hand here, okay?

And, uh...

I'm here with you, okay?

I'm doing it. On purpose, by myself,
I'm doing it!

He's doing it.

- Oh, he's doing it!
- All right!

He's going to the bathroom,
your brother's going to the bathroom.

Thank you, God.

Thank you, God.

I must have forgotten my keys

at Kenneth Brooks.

What's this?

Well. I was captain of
the cheerleading team, 1967.

I can still wear it.

Why would you want to?

Stupid press conference
this morning,

I'm really a wreck.

Whenever I feel a crisis coming,
I put it on.

My therapist, he thinks
it's because it

takes me back to a time when I felt
the best about myself. You know?

Popular, beautiful,
cheerleader captain!

You should've seen how I looked in this.

Mm, I can imagine.

Can't I?

But, I still ain't sure why you gotta
wear it before a press conference.

'Cause it gives me strength,
and I'm gonna need it.

I'm about to change the life
and the law of Rome, Wisconsin.

I'm gonna need
all the strength I could muster.

It's gonna be one tough day.

People versus
Timothy Hendricks.

Count one: abuse of a child.
Count two: illegal possession of firearm.

Count three: attempted murder.

Juvenile session. The room is
supposed to be sealed.

They're all relatives
of the defendant.

He's not gonna get more leniency
by you turning this

into a family affair.

Right, Judge.
It's just what I'm doing.

It's just a stunt to take
advantage of your

big, soft,
sentimental heart.

Your Honor, both parties
would like to enter a joint plea.

The people will dismiss the abusive child
and weapons charges,

and the defendant agrees to plead guilty
to the count of attempted murder.

Now we do wanna be heard
on sentencing.

There were
mitigating circumstances,

which caused my client
to shoot the Brock boy.

Such as?

Television, it made him violent.
Movies, too.

Do you expect me
to take that seriously?

Well, Congress takes it so seriously,
they want to regulate TV.

- Studies show...
- Wambaugh,

that young man's life
is in your hands.

I hope to God, you don't use
this proceeding as

a photographic opportunity
to get yourself on the news.

Is that what
Senator Paul Simon is doing?

Is that what
Janet Reno is doing?

The attorney general of our country
is threatening to censor television.

The attorney general isn't standing
in my courtroom, you are.

And if you're planning to argue that

television made your client
shoot Matthew Brock,

you damn well better back it up

with psychiatric
and scientific evidence.

I will, Judge.

The defendant is found
guilty of attempted murder.

The other charges are dropped.

Sentencing hearing tomorrow
at ten o'clock.

Television, for God's sake.

Yes, absolutely, television,
it's a start.

In fact, beginning today,
we'll be scrambling images,

of all television programs
that we think are too violent.

That's network and cable.

- Such as?
- Well, we'll be looking at

NYPD Blue, Beaver and
what is it? Uh, Buttface.

Which, by the way,
is a television show

that parents are
really complaining about.

And who decides which shows
are too violent?

For now, the decisions
will be made by myself,

Minister Novotny, our school principal,
Michael Oslo.

- But eventually...
- Are you concerned about censorship,

and the dangerous precedent
this might be setting?

We're censoring actions
and violence, not words.

Do you really think
that's a distinction?

The message has been sent
from Washington,

the government has a stake

in reducing television mayhem,
we're doing that.

We'll worry about the
First Amendment problems later.

So the role of government from now on
will decide what we watch?

Right now, those idiots in Hollywood
are deciding what you watch.

Who do you trust more?

Do you think that those buffoons

in La La Land are worried
about your kids?

Of course, they're not.

The Rome government is.

Mayor Harris?
Mayor Harris?

This is wonderful,
it plays right into my defense.

- Why?
- If the mayor starts banning television,

the court will have to take
judicial notice that it causes harm.

All right, never mind,
I just want to know

can she legally
censor the airwaves?

- No, but...
- Sheriff Brock?

Hi.

I've just come
from the city council

and they just passed
two ordinances.

First, all handguns in Rome
are now illegal,

except for the police.

I'd like you to schedule weekly
locker searches at the schools.

And I would also like
random checkpoints on the road.

- That's unconstitutional.
- You can't do that.

Well, Franklin Dell thinks
that we can make out

a clear and present
danger theory to support it.

Also ordinance number two,

we're requiring all Rome citizens
to be fingerprinted.

What?

This is Max's idea
and I think it's a good one.

It'll help us solve crimes
a lot faster, Jimmy.

And it could save us over $100,000 of
investigational costs.

But what about litigation costs?
You'll be sued.

Let them sue.

I also want roadblocks
for simple identity checks.

And everyone you pull over,
even for traffic tickets,

I want you to
fingerprint them, too.

Criminals are gonna
think twice

before entering
our city limits.

Look, it was my son
that took the bullet.

Nobody wants to fix things
more than I do. But this?

What about basic civil rights?

Safety first.

Let's start with
the roadblocks tonight,

and tomorrow, we'll sit down
and we'll figure out

how to fingerprint everybody.

She can actually do that?

Well, Wambaugh thinks it will be struck
down by the courts, but initially...

Yes. She can do it.

Okay.

I want you to flex your feet
four times each, okay?

You're doing a good job,
Matthew. Keep up the good work.

See you on Thursday.

- Uh, Jill, I want you to talk to her.
- Me?

If I protest, she just thinks
it's a male power thing.

With you, she listens.

Well, Jimmy, what do
you expect me to say?

That we live in a free society.

That we don't go around conducting

search and seizures,
finger-printing everybody.

Maybe we have more freedom
than we know what to do with.

I beg your pardon?

So we fingerprint,
so we stop a few cars

and we search for guns,
what's the worse that can happen?

A few less people get shot?

A few less criminals
get away, maybe.

I can't believe
I'm hearing this from you.

Well, there are a lot of things
that are hard to believe.

I can't believe how close our son came
to needing a catheter

to urinate for the rest
of his life.

I can't believe that Zachary has
nightmares every night

from seeing
his brother get shot.

Jimmy, they are both going to need
serious therapy, probably long term.

So right now I do not give
a rat's ass

about Joe Citizen's
right to privacy.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I don't mean
to sound like

a stupid redneck but...

You show me a person
who's screaming about civil rights

and I'll show you a parent
who has never had to see

her child in a wheelchair.

How many times did you see
The Terminator?

Three.

- I saw Terminator 2 six times.
- Mmm.

- Must've been very good.
- Yes, it was.

You listed your favorite actors
as Arnold Schwarzenegger,

Sylvester Stallone,
Clint Eastwood.

Is this because they carry guns
and blast people into little bits?

Objection. Leading.

This is a sentencing hearing,
Counsel, not a trial.

I'll give him some latitude.

Thank you, Judge.

Your parents ever take you
to family movies?

Yes, we saw Jurassic Park twice.

Mmm, and what was your favorite part
of that movie?

Um, probably when the T-Rex
bit the lawyer's head off,

when he was on the toilet.

Oh, yes. He was enjoying
some quiet time.

What an awful way
to be interrupted!

Having their skull chewed up
that way.

- Objection.
- Counsel.

Forgive my digression, Judge.

It's just that a bowel movement
should be sacred.

Yes, I'm sure you hold it
very dear but stick to the case.

Of course, let's turn
to television, Timmy.

You like television?

I love television.

But the airwaves are-are filled

with too much
gratuitous violence.

- And I'm not gonna let it--
- You cannot dictate to a cable company

- which movies we can and cannot show.
- Listen,

your franchise renewal comes up
in two months.

We could start buying channels
from the satellite company

and air only the shows we want.

The technology exists, Danny.

Cable companies do not have
a monopoly any more.

The power is switching back
to the consumer.

Yes, but you're not the consumer,
you're the government.

And if it starts here
with television,

what's next?

Books? She wants the school
to ban books?

Here's the list
authorized by the city council.

- I think...
- Of Mice and Men? That's John Steinbeck.

Uh, they say it endorses violence
on a lower level and, uh...

- Catcher in the Rye?
- The same thing, violence.

- Michael, what's...
- It's, it's not my idea.

The worst is that it's not just
Rachel's idea either,

other towns are
already doing this.

Dracula has been
banned because of violence.

The Outsiders,
that's a classic.

Elephant's Child by
Rudyard Kipling--

We can't let her
get away with this.

Well, we've got to organize
and do something

because I'm afraid
she will get away with it.

Many communities
across the country

are starting
to remove Mark Twain.

Hemingway, even.

The censorship is beginning.

This is insane.

It's not insane.

Movies and television
definitely can affect

a child's predisposition
towards aggression.

How?

It's called disinhibiting.

basically, the viewing
of violence on the screen

desensitizes the viewers,
especially the young viewer.

Do you think this happened
with Timmy Hendricks, Doctor?

I believe so.

This young man, on average,
has witnessed

thirty-seven violent deaths
per week

in the last seven years.

Death and violence have been
completely trivialized for him.

Are you saying, Doctor, when Timothy
fired his gun at Matthew Brock,

he didn't know right from wrong?

No, he knew it was wrong,

but he didn't appreciate
the gravity of the act,

that these kids can be so casual
about murder and mayhem.

That is the horror.

Now, when Timothy Hendricks
pulled that trigger,

He understood the nature and consequences
of his actions, didn't he?

Well, that's a tricky point.

He knew that Matthew Brock
might be killed.

- Yes.
- And in fact,

according to your examination
of Timothy Hendricks

that was his intent, wasn't it?

To kill Matthew Brock.

One has to take
into consideration...

Yes or no?

Was his intent
to kill Matthew Brock?

Yes.

And these studies
of television and movies

and their effect on children,

how many such studies
are you aware of?

- Hundreds.
- "Hundreds"?

Is there any unanimity?

Most conclude that exposure
to violence on the screen

does have a negative impact
on a child's aggressiveness.

Has any study, anywhere,

offered probative, scientific evidence
which proves a causal link

between viewing violence
and committing it?

No.

And in fact in your own
personal studies, Doctor,

hasn't your evidence suggested
that for children in good homes,

normal sociability,

that for these children, television
and movies have virtually no impact?

Isn't that correct?

Yes.

Have you met Timothy's parents?

Yes, I have.

They're good,
solid people.

Excellent role models.

Good role modeling
can be part of the problem.

Why?

Well, many of the characters
who commit violence on screen

are depicted as heroic.

So, it's the role models
who are pulling the triggers.

People in movie theaters
stand up and applaud

when the good guy
kills the bad guy.

Timothy Hendricks
knew he wasn't the good guy.

It isn't so simple, Counsel.

Revenge is a good on television,
even when it's illegal.

With malice and forethought,
he attempted murder

and you're going to lay that on what,
Jake and the Fat Man?

Television can create
a mindset, Counselor.

I think it did so
with Timothy Hendricks.

And in this town
that was a mindset

endorsed by the whole community.

Wait, excuse me?

Look what happened
when your ex-mayor

blew away that carjacker.

With malice and forethought,

the mayor of Rome, a role model,

pulled a trigger
and murdered a human being.

And he was convicted of murder.

He was also canonized.

The town cheered.

And that boy sitting there,

he heard those cheers.

"Hail, hail, for vengeance."

He heard those cheers.

I don't care
if people are cheering,

I don't care
how popular you are,

I will not fingerprint people,

we will not set up
identification roadblocks.

A decision has been made, Jimmy.

City Hall has already...

These measures
are unconstitutional.

That's for a court to decide,
not you.

I will not do it.

That's your official position?

Yes, it is.

Effective immediately,
you're fired.

You can't fire me,
the city council...

Actually, she can. And has.

Chapter 362 of the city articles
authorizes her

to summarily dismiss
the sheriff for cause,

chapter 2, subsection B
listing insubordination.

You think you'll
get away with this?

Look, Jimmy,
I really wanted us to get along.

You have given me
nothing but crap

and blatant interference since the
first day I first took office.

And I'm not going to
take it anymore.

I have more power
in this town than you.

Take your shot,
I just took mine.

Have your things cleared out of your
office by tomorrow morning at 10:00.

I'm going to court,
I'm taking this to court.

I'm really sorry to bother you.

Oh, well, um,
we were just eating.

I was wondering if I could
have a second of your time.

Um...

In private.

I just want you to know...

- how deeply, deeply sorry I am.
- I know.

How this could have happened,
I just...

This will sound
a little crazy, but...

You know my son Timmy.

You've been his doctor.

He and Matthew
were even friends before.

Anyway,

the lawyers are telling us

that he could be locked up
till he's 21.

He's 12.

He could be put in jail till...

He's not evil.

He obviously needs
a great deal of help.

But he's not evil.

If Judge Bone heard from you,

if you asked him for leniency,

he'd have to listen.

You want me to make an appeal?

On behalf of the boy
who tried to murder my son?

You, of all people,

know the fear of losing a child.

I'm faced with losing mine.

Childhood is over for Matthew,

maybe it should be for Timmy.

Please.

I...

Maybe your son
isn't evil, but...

I'm not...

I'm not strong enough
to do

what you're asking me to do.

Well...

Thank you for your time.

And again,

please accept my apology.

She fired you?

We think
we can overturn it in court.

Littleton's going to
stand up for me, but, uh...

- I don't know.
- Jimmy, what if...

What if you agree
to do the stuff

that Rachel
wants you to do?

Fingerprint innocent
people, roadblocks?

What?

Nothing, I agree with you.

I do, I...

- What? Say it.
- I'm scared, that's all. We...

We have two sons who are
extremely fragile right now,

emotionally, psychologically.

This is a bad time
for their father to get fired.

And, and the Clinton health plan
is gonna cut my salary by 30%.

If we lose your income,
Jimmy, then...

I'll get another job.

Jimmy, you're 52 years old.

I mean, how many opportunities
are there for 52-year-old sheriffs?

And do you really want to be
something other than a sheriff?

Visiting hours
are really over at nine.

Tough, open it.

I'll call you
when I'm ready to go.

I should really guard.

Get out.

When did you decide
to shoot the Brock boy?

After he hurt my brother,
with the potato thing.

So, after that you went home,

got the gun
out of your parent's safe.

Did you think about
what you were about to do?

I don't know.

What if you had killed him,
what then?

Did you want to kill him?

What do you think about now?

That I might
have to stay in jail.

I'm appearing today, pro bono,
for Sheriff Brock.

But also as
the district attorney

and an officer of this court,

I object to what
Mayor Harris is doing.

She is ordering the sheriff to violate
the Constitution of the United States.

What Constitution
have you been reading?

The one with the 4th Amendment.

Police officers are required
to have a reasonable suspicion

before stopping
or detaining anybody.

To suggest that we just start pulling
people over for no reason

violates every principle
of freedom and liberty.

Fingerprinting them is a blatant abuse
of government power.

Next, she's going to want to install
video cameras in people's houses.

A lot of people have already
installed those cameras

as part of their home security systems.

The people are scared.

The people are willing to
forfeit some of these

precious civil liberties you go around...

You're talking about
the Bill of Rights.

- I know what I'm talking about.
- It's not a zoning law.

Quiet.

Mr. Dell, the soap box
is yours, let's hear it.

Gladly, your honor.

First of all, a fingerprint

is nothing more
than information.

It's data, it's a form
of identification.

This country
historically collects

certain personal information
about its citizens,

- It's done.
- It isn't just done.

Fingerprinting
isn't "just done."

It's a gross invasion
of privacy.

Spare us the righteous
indignation, will you please?

Counsel.

The Department of Transportation
requires mandatory drug testing

on over four million employees.
Your Honor.

Drug testing of innocent,
law-abiding people,

that's got to be considered
more invasive than a fingerprint.

So, let's not characterize this
as a police action

which should
shock our conscience.

The day is coming
when every United States citizen

will have to be fingerprinted

as a matter of course,
we all know it.

And what about
the random roadblocks?

We do that, too.

Sobriety checkpoints are used
everywhere to catch drunk drivers.

they just pull them over,
just stop them at random.

And why? Because the threat

of drunk driving
became so severe

that we had to suspend
certain civil liberties a little.

Just to stop it.

Anybody who steps
on an airplane

has had his baggage x-rayed.

Go through metal detectors

to be searched for weapons,
everybody, even judges.

And why? Because skyjacking
was a problem.

And we decided
that it was necessary

to suspend certain civil rights

in order to make
air travel safer.

The very same principle
is at work here.

Mayor Harris is making
necessary adjustments

to make Rome, Wisconsin
a safer place to live.

And those adjustments
are so over-broad?

That may be true but that's
for a court to decide, not a sheriff,

- he doesn't have a law degree.
- I do.

Oh, well, good for you.

But that doesn't give you
or him the right

to impose your
constitutional analysis...

As the district attorney of this town,
I do have the right...

Yeah, but you're not here
as a district attorney, are you?

Not today, you're just a lawyer
representing a cause.

I fully expected
to see Wambaugh.

- Objection!
- Shut up. I've heard enough.

Personally, I find the
fingerprinting scheme offensive.

And I don't like
the random roadblock either.

But Mr. Dell is right.

It is not the sheriff's job
to pass judgment on policy.

He has no right to disavow
the mayor and city council.

I find cause for the discharge.

The termination is upheld.

We're adjourned.
Everybody, get out.

See if you can get
a shot of him...

Back off.

Yeah, come on, get out
of here, back off.

Kenny, come over here.

Tell Ginny to circulate
the petition.

Will you just--?
Back off, back off!

Deputy, this man--

- This is private!
- ...is no longer employed by the city.

Officer Stewart, you are now
the acting sheriff.

Your first order of business
is to take this man's badge

and evict him from his office.

I'm sorry, Jill. He gave me no choice.
Do your job, Sheriff.

I drafted a recall petition,

Ginny has it, we need 500 signatures
and we can schedule a special election

and bounce her ass out of here!

She thinks she won?
It ain't over, go.

Sheriff Brock?

I don't know what to do.

You're not getting my badge.

If... If I get out,
are you gonna shoot me?

No.

- Jimmy, it's an official order.
- Which I'm ignoring.

I don't think
that's a good idea.

I don't give a damn
what you think.

All right, everybody, listen up.

Now, I have been ordered
to turn in my badge

and give up my authority
as sheriff.

I'm defying that order,
I'm staying right here as sheriff.

Now, any of you

who continue to serve under me
risk contempt charges or worse.

Now, you can stay here or go.

But if you stay, I expect you
to be in my command.

Jimmy, this is
the equivalent of a mutiny.

- This town needs a mutiny.
- I don't like this any more than you,

but for God's sakes,
you could end up in jail.

I will not lie down and let
Rome, Wisconsin become a police state.

I won't let that happen,
this is my town!

Then let's do this
the right way.

- Go for a special election.
- I stay.

Any of you want to join
the mayor, you go, you go now.

- He can't do that.
- He's doing it.

You arrest him, Kenny.

- Rachel...
- He's not a sheriff.

He's a citizen
and he's breaking the law.

You're a deputy and I am telling
you to arrest him.

- Rachel, calm down.
- Why is this happening to me?

I'm just trying to do my job,
he made me fire him.

The whole town
is going to side with them.

And they're going to impeach me.

- Pull yourself together.
- I didn't want to be the mayor,

I didn't want to do it.

He asked me,
I didn't want to do it.

It's okay, baby, okay.

Well...

I'll just have to call in
the state police.

- Excuse me?
- I'm gonna call the attorney general.

The state police will respond.

I'm gonna take him out
with force if I have to.

Are you serious?

You tell your boss
he's going down.

Video mayhem is out of control.

On morning cartoons,
a child witnesses

20 violent acts per hour.

Video games at the mall
are called Total Carnage

and Captain Destroyer.

Where all the entertainment
is kill, kill, kill.

Our heroes like Clint Eastwood
cock the trigger and say, "Make my day!"

A quote later used and glorified
by President Reagan,

President Bush
and President Clinton,

why, their popularity in the
polls soared

when they sent men to battle
in Iraq and Somalia.

We love to fight,
we love to kill.

It's the American way.

And with television
that's almost like brainwashing,

the images come
right into the living room.

It's pervasive,
it's subliminal.

Now, I'm not asking you
to forgive Timothy Hendricks.

He committed a crime.

But we all have to
take responsibility.

In Africa they say it takes
a whole village to raise a child.

Look at our village.

We mix entertainment
and violence.

Now, what kind of a society
would see fit to do that?

And what kind of a society would mark
a Dirty Harry as a role model?

Sure, he deserves
to be punished,

but we have to all
have to take responsibility.

Toronto gets
the same television,

the same movies,
the same video games as Chicago.

In Chicago, there are
1000 handgun murders a year.

In Toronto, 15.

Television programs in Japan are ten times
more violent than American programs,

yet violent crimes in that country
are almost non-existent.

Now, I'll agree
with Mr. Wambaugh.

Fighting, killing,
that's the American way.

But if we want to use television
and movies as a scapegoat

for all the mayhem
in our country, then

our society is diseased
beyond repair.

Yes, there may be an impact.

Yes, video violence
may desensitize our kids.

But if you really want
to desensitize them,

put Timothy Hendricks
back on the streets.

Trivialize the fact that he put a bullet
into a classmate.

Go easy on him.

send him back to the playground

and let the sociologists debate
the influence of Ninja Turtles.

Yeah, that'll
show 'em a message.

that'll show 'em
how serious we are.

Murder somebody and it's straight to bed
with no television.

Society's problem? Yes.

No question.

But he is guilty
of attempted murder.

Of course, we have to
put him away.

Of course, we do.

Tell him he has 30 minutes,
we're not gonna move yet,

but if he doesn't give up
the office...

What are you gonna do Rachel,

start a war?

The state police are here
to take back

the sheriff's station.

We're gonna do
what's necessary.

Sargeant, we're giving
Sheriff Brock a half hour, all right?

- You'll be ready?
- Yes, ma'am.

- Just call us in.
- Right. We're ready.

We hold our positions
right here.

Nobody draws any weapons.

Jimmy, this is nuts.

The more public this becomes,
the better,

we want this town
to turn on her.

What if they turn on you?

Kenny, if you want to go
with the mayor go, but don't...

Jimmy, what are you doing?

I don't have a choice, Jill.

You're taking the law
into your own hands.

It's vigilantism, Jimmy,
and it's not you.

Well, one of the reasons
that I put on this badge

was to defend a free society.

But, you can't win on this.

I know that I've become the voice
of selfishness lately, but...

We have a family.

Don't risk jail, please.

Don't you think...

Our son was shot.

Part of me wants to do
what she's asking,

but what kind of town do we want
our kids to grow up in?

A safer one,
that's what Rachel's after.

A lot of people
think she's right,

a lot of people
are with her on this.

All the more reason
I have to fight.

Unbelievable, Henry.

The state police are
surrounding the building

and Jimmy won't leave.

I'm having my lunch,
go away. Hm?

You're a character.

meanwhile there's a petition
around town for a recall.

Which means that we're going to
have a special election.

I could make
a run for mayor again.

Could I count
on your endorsement, Henry?

- The truth?
- Of course, the truth, we're friends.

I'd sooner dive face first
into my cat's litter box

than plug you for mayor.

What a character.

I can see the wind blowing.

The town is divided
between Rachel and Jimmy,

there's deep division.

It's my opening,

I'm the compromise,
don't you think?

I couldn't imagine
a bigger compromise, huh?

Oh, thank you, Henry.

My time has come,
I can smell it.

I'm the future
of Rome, Wisconsin.

Mm-hmm.

Mm.

Jimmy, give it up.

- This doesn't involve you.
- Come on, Jimmy.

I can't allow you to do this.

You here to support her?

Look, I hope she gets
run out of town, but right now

her actions are within the law,
yours aren't.

- I'm staying.
- Hey!

I'm not leaving.

Sheriff, place this man under arrest
and take him into custody.

I am the district attorney,

I instructed you
to make an arrest.

Looks like you might have
the whole office to arrest.

look, it's time to stop
sticking up for the man

and start sticking up for what
he's always represented.

Be the sheriff he used to be.

You are under arrest.

Please place your hands
behind your back.

Jimmy, do it.

Please.

I have to cuff you. It's policy.

Take him
to the court house.

Case number 32114.

People versus Jimmy Brock.

Disorderly conduct,
inciting a riot.

Douglas Wambaugh for the martyr,
Your Honor.

- And may I say for the record--
- No.

Just once, I'd like you
to say nothing.

Bailiff.

Bring the Hendricks boy in.

I'll do his sentencing now, too.

Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks,
I apologize for making this public.

But the whole town knows
what's going on with your son anyway.

Young man, I have no doubt

that you are a victim
of society and television.

I imagine they have
let you down sorely.

But you, young fellow,
have let society down more.

Your reckless disregard
for human life is horrifying.

The tears you cried,
I think go more

to the fear of what's going
to happen to you

than to the tragedy
you're responsible for.

You attempted to kill a boy.

I sentence you to
Lincoln Hills Juvenile Facility

indefinitely...

Whether you're out
before you turn 21

depends entirely on you,

which is little comfort.

Adjourned.

Take him away.

Now, for the rest of you.

You wanna go home
and blame television

for what transpired here,
feel free,

but don't forget to condemn
yourselves in the process.

Mr. Wambaugh is right.

It takes an entire village
to raise a child.

And this village is
failing horribly.

I don't know how to fix it,

but the answer can't be
in the obliteration of civil rights.

It can't lie in banning

Mark Twain and J.D. Salinger
from our school libraries.

We can't be exalting fear
and retribution

at a time we need vision

and education.

That man's kid...

got shot.

If anybody had the right
to demand warrantless searches

or random road blocks,
it was him.

But he didn't.

He clung to his belief

that a government has to respect
and trust its citizenry.

He is the center of this town.

And I'll be damned if I'm going
to throw him in jail.

The case against him
is hereby dismissed.

Now, for our mayor.

I don't agree
with your politics, Ms. Harris.

But I admire your tenacity.

As much as this town needs
his sense of morality,

we need your guts.

This town needs you both,

but it needs you
working together.

Unfortunately,
I can't order you,

as a judge, to work things out.

As a citizen, as a person
who lives in Rome,

who wants to see kids

grow up with the same commitment
to community that you two have,

I beg you...

to work things out.

That's all.

We're done.