The Practice (1997–2004): Season 2, Episode 15 - Line of Duty - full transcript

Previously on The Practice.

- I think we should take it.
- Sorry, Jimmy.

- I think we should take it too.
- What? Why?

Because 11 people
in a two-mile radius
got cancer.

Dates scare me,

especially
the first-kiss part.

We both agreed,
if either of us met
somebody who could--

It doesn't bother you?
I'll make do
with the memories.

Maybe we should celebrate
that we were able
to keep the secret,

and it was some secret
while it lasted.

[ Shower Running ]
It's a summary
judgment hearing.



All you have to do is
show some dispute of fact.

Jimmy,
it's 10:00 at night.
I'm tired.

I'm gonna take a shower
and go to bed.

I'll call you
in the morning, okay? Bye.

Oh, great.

- Sorry.
- Oh, it's okay.

Gave me more time
to lather.

[ Moaning ]

[ Grunts, Groans ]

[ Chuckles ]
Are you okay?

Yeah. Don't you hate it
when that happens?

Mmm. Mmm.

[ Panting ]

Oh. Bobby, turn it off.
Huh?



The shower. The shower.
Oh.

Okay. Okay.

[ Phone Rings ]
Oh.

Uh, don't, uh--
uh, get that.

Uh, hello.

You gotta be kidding me.

Cowley?

This is for
the Isikoff warrant, right?

Well--

Well, I think he still
passes Aguilar on the facts.

You don't have to
put that in the proffer.

All right.
Let me know.

Problem?
A big search warrant.

Our informant has suddenly
revealed he was Abraham Lincoln
in a past life.

You think we need
to disclose that
to the magistrate?

Well, let's-- let's
get out our criminal...

procedure... books.

Let's review.

[ Line Ringing ]

[ Cell Door Opens, Closes ]

[ Sirens Wailing ]

[ Thunder Rumbling ]

What's the emergency?
Our big dealer in Jamaica
Plain. Is his name Isikoff?

Bobby, you said
I wouldn't have to do--
This isn't about that.

I just want to know,
is his name Isikoff?
John Isikoff. Yeah. Why?

We took his retainer?
Took his retainer? We pay
our rent with the interest.

So we still do
represent him?
Somewhat.

Oh, no.
What?

He's about to get raided.
He is? But who--

Helen got a call last night.
Trouble with an informant.

It was a warrant
for Isikoff.
You were at Helen's?

Maybe
it was another Isikoff.
A different one.

Bobby, "Isikoff"
isn't very common.

We just happen
to represent one who's
a major cartel player.

The D.A. just happens
to have one scheduled
for a raid.

I would make a wild guess
that it's the same guy.
[ Sighs ]

So what do we do?

- We let him know.
- Yeah, but I got
the information by--

It doesn't matter how
you got it, Bobby.

You got knowledge that a client
is about to get raided.
We can't not tell him.

I don't believe this.

You'd better notify
this guy fast too.

If this is goin'
to the magistrate today,
the raid won't be far behind.

Basically,
it's a legal motion.

They're claiming,
as a matter of law,
we can't win.

So they're asking
the judge to kick it.

But you expect us
to get by it.

Well, we expect to because
the benefit of the doubt
goes to the plaintiff.

- But--
- But what?

But Judge Walsh is famous
for trying to keep
the docket down.

He practically
crusades against,
well, dubious claims.

And us getting cancer?
We shouldn't waste
the court's time?

It's not that.
It's the connection between
cancer and power lines.

Isn't that what a trial is for?
To prove our case?

The truth is, judges are
becoming more inclined to
toss out cases they don't like,

and this judge
in particular--

[ Jimmy ]
We expect to survive this.

But it's no lock.

[ Horn Honks ]

What's the matter?
You know a guy
named Cowley?

Jackie Cowley. Why?
The D.A.'s gone in
to get a warrant.

You're about to get hit,
maybe any second.

What are you talking about?
As we speak, you're
about to get raided.

Helen.
Hey.

So, Bobby was over
last night, huh?
He told you?

Well, not really.
It kind of slipped out.
How'd it go?

You mean,
how far did it go?
Yeah. How far?

Well, all I'll say is,
anything further would be
uncharted territory for me.

Really?
I mean, for you--
Don't even go there.

So he-- I mean--
It was good?

It was huge.
Yeah. I don't know
what happened.

But for a guy who was
so stuck in neutral--

Maybe he went out
and hired a surrogate
to get himself unstuck.

[ Laughing ]

Huh.

- You think you could have been
any more discouraging?
- Sorry?

I'm trying to prop
these people up, give them
somethin' to hope for a little.

- Why?
- Why?

Yeah. Why? This case
is a Hail Mary, Jimmy.
They gotta know that.

You go into somethin'
thinking you're gonna lose,
you usually lose.

That's my experience.

I want that judge
to look out there
and see people...

who feel they have
a right to be sitting
in that courtroom,

not people apologizing
for taking up his time.

I understand that, Jimmy.
I do.

But the best way to accomplish
that is by telling your clients
exactly that.

- Don't mislead them.
- If you don't wanna be with me,
you don't gotta be with me.

Okay. Fine.

- So, does that mean
you're with me or not?
- Yes, Jimmy, I am with you.

Bobby? Bobby,
come look at this!

What?
Just hurry!

[ Man On TV ] Janet,
what can you tell us about
what's happening down there?

At this point, three officers
have been confirmed dead,
as well as two suspects.

A third man, identified as
Jack Cowley, was also killed,

but police think this was
an execution-style hit.

He was found
inside a body bag.

The two wounded suspects were
taken to Saint Elizabeth
in critical condition.

Any reports on what caused
the shoot-out, Janet?

Well, it seems
it started off
as a routine drug raid,

but police believe
the suspects
were tipped off.

They were waiting with guns,
packing up, trying to get out,
when the police arrived,

and they had a lot more
firepower than the police.

It was a gruesome
bloodbath here, Tom.

I'm Mr. Isikoff's
attorney.
Nobody goes inside.

Well, I'm sure my client
wants to see his lawyer.
Why don't you go ask him?

Bobby?
Hey. Mike.

Um, I'm sorry to hear
about your men.

Yeah.
I should see him.

Let him in.

[ Machinery Beeping,
Hissing ]

I told them that you're
represented by counsel.

They've been instructed
not to ask you anything.

But three cops are dead,

so I'm not expecting
your constitutional rights
to have top priority.

John, I may stick a man in here.
We'll see how it goes.

For now, you just--
just concentrate
on getting stronger.

This man's your client?

Yeah.

[ Woman On P.A. ]
Dr. Ramirez, Ward 318.

[ Elevator Bell Dings ]

[ Elevator Doors Closing ]

Are you okay?
No.

What's goin' on?

I think I know
the source of the tip.

Bobby Donnell.

How would he have known?

I think I told him.

A review of the depositions
and interrogatories reveals...

there are simply no facts
to support the claim...

that electric and magnetic
fields cause cancer.

Your Honor,
the complaint states
paragraph after paragraph...

of factual facts
which support the claim.

At trial, we intend to
offer evidence in support
of these... factual facts.

Well, we could allege
the alignment of the stars
as a possible defense,

and I suppose that, too,
would be a factual fact
in dispute.

I don't think you
have to get like that.

Actually, Mr. Berluti,
I'm afraid I do.

And this brings me to
the portion of today's argument
that I don't find pleasant--

our Rule 11 motion.

You really intend
to argue that, counsel?

I do so reluctantly,
Your Honor.

It is certainly not my habit
to seek sanctions
against other attorneys,

but I think
this is a particularly
egregious situation.

Can we at least finish with
the summary judgment arguments
before the personal attacks?

No, the attack is not personal
in spirit, and it is certainly
relevant to today's hearing.

Our position is basically
that they have no case...

and it's no coincidence
that this is the attorney
claiming that they do.

With your permission,
Your Honor?

Do you know me?
You shouldn't.
No reason to.

I'm just a down-in-the-trenches
lawyer who does cases that'll
never be in the newspapers.

Unexciting stuff, except
to the people involved...

'cause their injuries
are real...

and the money I get
for them is real.

Somebody bang
into your car lately?

Has a ladder
fallen on your head?
You step into a pothole?

Go to a big firm.
See how much they care.

Then come to me.
Think nobody will
fight for you?

You're just a grunt.
I'm a grunt.

There's a lawyer
out there for you.
It's me.

Just dial the number:
555-GRNT.

And ask for Jimmy.
I'll get you money.

Well, I think
this advertisement
makes the point.

"Jimmy the Grunt"
is a lawyer who will
push forward with anything.

This is an attorney who,
as our documents will show,

falsified bank records
in order to secure funds
for his firm.

That's stealing.

This is an attorney
who was very recently arrested
for soliciting a prostitute.

This is an attorney
who demeans our profession.

And he continues to do so today
by prosecuting a claim
he knows he can't make.

You don't know
what I can or can't make.

I know that you are pandering
to cancer victims, and I
find that very unfortunate.

What's unfortunate is
this cheap ambush, Your Honor,
which isn't relevant to any--

It's relevant
to a Rule 11 motion--

whether or not an attorney
is acting in good faith--

and your firm
historically does not.

Mr. Berluti solicits
clients on television.
That's how he got these clients.

That's how he got this case--
one which no other attorney
of reputation would accept.

So, I put before the court,

the civil action before you
is commensurate with
the attorney bringing it.

And I must say
that in 27 years of practice,

this is the first argument
of this nature
I have ever had to make.

Mr. Berluti?

Mr. Berluti,
do you have a response?

Oh, Your Honor,
if you please, I'd...

like a recess
so I can respond to...

these things.

10:00 tomorrow.
Adjourned.

[ Gavel Raps ]

What'd she say?

Nothing.

What could she say?

What could I say?
I--

I just left.

[ Lindsay ]
Bobby, this was a fluke
of circumstances.

You both have to
realize this.

Five people are dead.

You want me down
at the hospital?

I don't know.
I don't trust them to--

You know, sometimes
when cops get shot-- Oh.

I don't know.

Maybe.
[ Door Opens ]

- Robert Donnell?
- Yeah.

- Please put your hands
behind your back, sir.
- What? Why?

Please, sir.
[ Eugene ]
What's the charge here?

Reckless homicide.
Homicide?

You have the right to remain--
Give me a break.
I know my rights.

I'll surrender him to you!
Get your hands off me!
What are you doin'?

Get off of him!

Hey! Whoa, whoa!
Get your hands off me!

You stay the hell back!
I said,
get your hands off me!

Get him out of here!

[ Ellenor ]
Jimmy, you have got
to calm down.

Calm down? I'm just glad
my father's dead.
You know that?

So what got said in there
never gets back to him.
I'm just glad--

I want to kill him.
I thought you said
he was already dead.

Not my father.
I want to kill West.
I'm not a violent person.

I wanted to drive
over him with my car.
Would you listen to me?

You have to
keep your head and just
talk about the case.

What about what
he said about me,
about us?

Just cover it quickly
and get back to the case.

The clients heard all that.
Why should they
trust whatever--

The clients are gonna be happy
if we just win the motion.
Jimmy, look at me.

You cannot go back in there
and ramble, for God's sake.
You have--

Just try not to
sweat so much.
Oh, thank you.

Look, you keep your head
and you talk about the case.

Summary judgment
favors the plaintiff,
so just address the claim.

You have to argue that there's
sufficient facts to sustain the
cause of action and that's all.

I want to kill him.
Well, you can
kill him later.

They'll be arraigning you
in about an hour. We shouldn't
have to worry about bail.

Who's the D.A.?
I'm not sure.

Look, they can't make
any of this stick.

- Three cops are dead, and they
want you to have a lousy day.
- [ Door Closes ]

Eugene?
Could I have a second?

He is represented
by counsel.

Thank you.
I'll keep that in mind.

[ Cell Door Sliding Shut ]

[ Lock Clicking ]

Is this you to me,
or D.A. to suspect?

That's a funny question
for you to be asking.

It's you and me, Bobby.

Firstly, I'm sorry.
You have to know that.

You got information as a result
of our personal relationship.

You used that information
to put police officers at risk.

And police officers
were killed.

Saying you're sorry--
It didn't matter how I got
the information, Helen.

Once I got it, it would
have been unethical for me
not to tell the client.

You were doing
the ethical thing?

Telling drug dealers--
men with assault weapons--

Telling them
that the police officers
were on their way.

That was
the ethical thing to do?

Put yourself
in my position.

For the last two hours,
I've been trying to do that.

Then I guess we have nothing
left to talk about, do we?

I guess we don't.

41842,Commonwealth
versus Robert Donnell,

reckless homicide.

Eugene Young representing
the defendant, Your Honor.

We'll waive reading
and ask that you dismiss these
ridiculous charges right now.

Asher Silverman
for the People,
Your Honor.

The commonwealth takes
these "ridiculous charges"
very seriously.

Three police officers
are dead as a result of
this man's recklessness.

This man is an attorney
who has a legal obligation
to inform his clients--

There is never any legal
obligation to set up law
enforcement for an ambush.

that they were about to
become the object of a raid.

I don't listen when
everybody talks, gentlemen.

Your Honor,
may I take a second to
confer with my client?

Take two.

It's decision time.
Obviously, they're playin'
for keeps.

They brought in Silverman.
We don't want a jury to get
a crack at this, Bobby.

Three of the good guys
were killed.

Probable cause hearing?
And we put on
a full defense.

We're better off
with a judge than a jury.

What do we know about her?

[ Eugene ]
Wacko out of the robe,
stickler in it.

Which is what we want.

Okay.

- Your Honor, defense moves
for a probable cause hearing.
- 10:00 tomorrow.

The Commonwealth would be
seeking bail, Your Honor,
in that--

Nope.
I'll grant O.R.

Three police officers
are dead.

Let's not turn that
into a jingle.

Personal recognizance,
10:00 tomorrow.

I like to start on time.

[ Gavel Raps ]

You really can't
take it personally, Helen.
You know you can't.

You don't think that--

Lindsay, we were making love
on the bathroom floor
when that call came in.

Bobby? In a bathroom?

That's not really the issue.

I know. But a bathroom.
It just seems a little exotic
for him-- from what you tell me.

Well, you know him
more than I.

I know he felt
an obligation
to the client.

He's an honest person,
right?

Bobby? Of course.
He's-- He's honest.

- Why do you say it like that?
- Like what?

- With your voice
flittering a little, like--
- I'm not flittering.

You are.
I'm not.

Is there something
you're not telling me?

What? What would I
not be telling you?

- Flitter.
- I'm not flittering.
Damn it.

What do you mean
you want to tell her?

I know the timing of this
couldn't be worse, but she's
one of my best friends.

I can't lie to her.
I just can't.

Let me just recap things
to see if I understand
things correctly.

While you and I
were being recreational,

Helen asked you
if there was anything
going on between us,

and you said no
because you sensed that she
was interested in me...

and if she knew about
you and me, this would
be a-- a deterrent...

to Helen and me
ever getting together.

Correct.

Then Helen and I
did get together,

and you and I stopped
being recreational.

And you said there was
no reason to tell her...

because the past was the past,
and it-- it really
didn't affect her.

Correct.

So, what now has changed?

What's changed is this is
a little bit of a crisis here,

and I feel like a liar
by not telling her.

Okay. Here's the thing.

I really like her.

At this moment, she's
not particularly liking me.

She thinks I betrayed her.

If she were now to learn
that I have been sleeping
with her best friend,

I'm afraid
it could be detrimental
to our progress as a couple.

Yes. But--

Lindsay, I agree at some point
maybe we should tell her.

But could you please allow me
to put a little distance...

between me and these
multiple murder charges...

before we do that?

Okay. Of course.

Great.

You can't do this to me.

I have no choice.
I've got to show
a chain of events.

I don't think I'm somebody
you want to be calling.

I'm not sympathetic
to this prosecution.

Well, I won't be calling
upon you as an advocate.
I just need the facts.

I'll stipulate that he got
the information from me.

Ms. Gamble.

I'm not a man prone
to vulgarity, but your ass
is already in the grinder here.

I suggest you cooperate with
the office that employs you.

Mr. Silverman,
you don't scare me.

Well, in that case,

here's a subpoena.

[ Bell Dinging ]

[ Dinging Continues ]

This is me.
Oh, pardon me.

[ Sighs ]

[ Elevator Doors Close ]

I hope you do realize that
was one of the more unpleasant
arguments I ever had to make.

But you got through it
just the same.
Jimmy.

Mr. Berluti,
this is not the time.

No, don't you apologize
or look at me like
you had no choice.

Jimmy.
You made your choice.

Yes.
And you made yours.

[ Doors Opening ]

Well, I suppose I should be
grateful I wasn't assaulted.

Not yet.

You could've taken it
to chambers, Mr. West, but you
chose to do it in open court.

You're suing us
in the open, counsel.
We respond in kind.

Yeah? Well, so do we.

[ Silverman ]
What were you doing
when the phone call came in?

I had just taken a shower.

- And what did
Officer Walpole tell you?
- Hearsay.

Not offered for the truth,
Your Honor. Just to establish
the words were spoken.

- I'll allow it.
- What did he say?

Something to the effect that
our informant thought he was
Abraham Lincoln in a past life.

We were concerned that he
might not pass reliability
under the Aguilar test...

and we wouldn't get
our warrant.

Your informant thought
he was Abraham Lincoln?
Yes.

He'd get headaches
when he went to the theater.

Is that his joke
or yours, Ms. Gamble?

You have
a personal relationship
with the defendant?

We date. That's why
he was in my apartment
when the phone call came in.

That's how he overheard
we were scheduling a raid
on Mr. Isikoff's safe house.

So, the defendant knew
about the raid?

- I'd answer, but the defense
is about to object.
- Objection.

The witness isn't competent
to say what the defendant
may or may not have known.

Let's speed this up.

After the shoot-out,
did you and the defendant
have a conversation?

Yes.

And did he tell you
whether he informed
Mr. Isikoff in advance...

that a police raid
was coming?

He told me that he felt
legally obligated...

to reveal the information
to his client, yes.

Thank you, Ms. Gamble.

[ Eugene ]
My client ever ask you for
information about this raid?

No.

Did Mr. Donnell continue
to discuss this case...

after he learned the suspect
was his own client?

No.
Thank you.

That's all.
Mr. Silverman?

The witness may step down.

Mr. Berluti?

The complaint alleges
material facts in dispute.

The discovery includes
epidemiological studies
suggesting a causal link...

between power lines
and certain types of cancer.

The complaint also alleges
a lack of serious
statewide studies...

to determine the risks
of electromagnetic fields.

Those four people live
within 100 yards of Boston
Power Company power lines.

They live within
one square mile
of each other.

This one has a brain tumor,
this one leukemia,

this one also leukemia,

and this one
brain cancer.

They didn't get sick
because I ran a commercial.

They didn't get sick
because I demeaned
the legal profession.

There's a cancer cluster
in Fairfield, Massachusetts.

People are dying.

And he's asking you to
ignore this because he thinks
my law firm is disreputable.

We've been called
these things before
at my disreputable firm.

The last time
was when we sued
a tobacco company.

They brought a summary
judgment motion, too,

arguing, as a matter of law,
we had no case.

Cigarettes couldn't
possibly cause cancer.

When we first got to
the apartment building,
we did notice some activity,

though we didn't really think
there was a connection.

- What do you mean "activity"?
- Well, there were cars leaving,
pulling out.

No people or plates
that we'd recognized.

But the feel--
It just wasn't sleepy,
is the best I can describe it.

Could you describe
what happened next?

We moved in.
We had 11 officers in all.

We wore vests,
and the front line
had helmets.

Six of us went up
the stairway, the other five
secured the area.

We weren't using the battering
ram because our informant
had actually given us a key.

To Mr. Isikoff's apartment?
Yes. We approached
the door.

And we did hear
some scuffling behind it,
but not much.

And then
that's when it happened.
What happened?

We sprang through the door,
and there they were, waiting,

like they
were expecting us.

Continue.
I just heard the shots.
I could smell the powder.

Assault weapons.
It's like they had
an arsenal.

You were shot?
In the shoulder.

It knocked me back
down the stairs.

And the shooting just seemed
to go on and on.

- What'd you see next?
- The next thing I remember
seeing was Kevin Greene.

He fell on top of me.
Who is Kevin Greene?

My part--
He was my partner.

He had been shot
in the head.

He was dead?
Not yet.

He was looking at me, like he
didn't know what had happened.

And, uh, it looked like
he couldn't breathe,

'cause there was
this stuff in his mouth.

And I tried
to help him breathe.

I tried to clear his mouth.

He just kept looking back--

looking back at me.

Were you able
to get him to breathe?

[ Inhales ]

No.

He was near dead then.

Officer Horton,
you've testified that
they were waiting.

Are you sure about this?

Yes, I am.

As soon as the door opened,
we were looking at gun barrels,

and I saw some
of their eyes.

They weren't surprised.

We were the ones surprised.
They knew we were coming.

[ Ellenor ]
So, you didn't
do any cross?

No point.
This is a lousy time
to say "I told you so."

Then maybe you shouldn't.
Drug lawyers always
become targets.

It's not just that.
We've been beating them
on everything.

Gerald Braun,
Victoria Keenan.

And you know what?
We've been under attack
on our power lines case too.

The defendant's lawyer--
You should have heard
his little spew.

So, did we win
the motion?

No, not yet.

[ Knocking On Door ]

Hey.

I tried calling,
but you wouldn't pick up.

Well, you've got me
in person now.

What can I do for you?

Can I come in?

Firstly, I wanted
to thank you for today.

I know you were
under a subpoena.

And I-I'd also like
to thank you for--

For what?
For sticking by you?

I didn't do that.

I objected to you
being prosecuted.

I wasn't defending
what you did.

- Helen, I know--
- Bobby, look.

If you've come here to account
for yourself, please get out.

I get your position.

Plus, you'll be
on stand tomorrow,

and we both know testimony
comes off more persuasive
when it isn't rehearsed.

You say you get my position.
Well, I'm here, hoping
that you'll understand--

Just get out.
Just get out. Get out!
Come on, Helen. Please.

Just get out! Get out!
Get out! Get out! Get out!

[ Sobbing ]

It isn't you!
Don't you think I know that?

You're a defense attorney!
The guy's your client!

I'm the one
who screwed up!

You? You can't
blame yourself!

Are you crazy?

Everybody was doing
their job except me.

Those people are dead
'cause I didn't do mine.

I'm angry at myself.

Maybe I even hate what--

But I won't lie.

I'm not sure I can ever
look at you without--

Please, just get out.

[ Door Opens ]
Helen.

I had no way of knowing
a shoot-out would ensue,

and I certainly never counseled
my client toward violence.

Thank you. That's all.

Did you know that your client
had sophisticated
assault weapons?

Did I know it? No.

Did it surprise you
to learn...

that Mr. Isikoff had weapons
in his safe house?

I had no specific knowledge
that they had weapons.

- Did it surprise you
to learn that he did?
- No.

Did it surprise you that they
had cocaine and heroin there?

No.

In your mind,
when you told Mr. Isikoff...

that the police were about
to raid his safe house,

did you make room for
the possibility that they might
use those weapons to fight back?

Well, I really didn't
think that far ahead.

You didn't think
that far ahead.

What did you think Mr. Isikoff
would do with the information
you'd given him?

Well, my job
was just to give him
the information, counsel.

Oh. You're quite
a taskmaster with your job,
aren't you?

- Objection.
- Sustained.

When Mr. Isikoff
left your car,

did you consider that he
might go to his house,

gather his belongings
before the police
could get there?

I considered that. Yes.

Did you consider that the police
could get there while Isikoff
was still in the house?

Did you consider
that the police
could get there...

while Mr. Isikoff
was still in the house?

I don't remember
specifically considering it,

but nor do I remember
ruling that possibility out.

Oh, what a lovely answer.

- Objection!
- Sustained.

Did you ever consider
calling the police and saying,

"Hey, call off your raid.
They know you're coming."

Did you ever think of
telling the police that?
No.

Who is Jack Cowley?

Who is Jack Cowley?

He was evidently the informant
the police were using...

to get their search warrant.

Did you tell Mr. Isikoff
that Jack Cowley was working
with the police?

My communication
with Mr. Isikoff would be
privileged, Mr. Silverman.

You're quite correct, but that
privilege belongs to Isikoff,
and he has waived it.

And he told the police that you
told him that Jack Cowley
was the informant.

- Would that be correct?
- Objection! Mr. Isikoff
is represented by counsel.

The police were told
not to speak to him.

Any conversation with
John Isikoff is a violation
of the Sixth Amendment.

- Sixth Amendment protections go
to the client, not the lawyer.
- Doesn't matter.

John Isikoff lacks the legal
capacity to waive that right--
Innes versus Rhode Island.

Yes, and should the police
ever use those statements
against Mr. Isikoff,

you would have cause
to suppress them.

But I'm not going
after Mr. Isikoff here.

I'm going after you.
[ Eugene ]
Your Honor!

He's right. You can't
assert somebody else's
constitutional rights...

in order to protect
Mr. Donnell, counsel.

I don't really believe
I need to tell you that.

Did you tell Mr. Isikoff
that Jack Cowley was
the police informant?

No. I asked him
if he knew him.

When he said yes,
did you tell him
about the police raid?

- That's right.
- Hmm.

Did you ever consider
that your client might be able
to put two and two together?

[ Eugene ]
Objection!
Sustained.

Were you shocked to learn
Cowley was found dead with a
bullet in the back of his head?

Objection!
Sustained.

I think we're done.

We're in trouble.

Bobby, if this goes to trial,
we're gonna have to
consider a plea.

A drug lawyer sets up
the police for an ambush.

Uh, you were pretty much
an executioner for Cowley.

Our only defense
is the canon of ethics.

Legally, we gotta argue that
what you did was ethical...

and hope that
the judge will buy it...

because no jury ever will.

I'll close.

I'm not so sure
that's smart.

I'll close.

Mr. Berluti,
would you stand up?

I'm tempted to say,
"Will the defendant
please rise?"

One of the problems
with the proliferation
of law schools,

night schools,
part-time schools,
salons--

Come get a shampoo, earn
a law degree while you wait
for your hair to dry.

We overflood the market
with attorneys who, because
of the competition,

have to go out and create
litigation just so they
can scratch a living.

I hate it.
And you're a poster boy
for the problem.

That having been said,

this complaint does allege
disputable questions of fact.

The defendant's motion
for summary judgment
is denied.

I'm scheduling
a pretrial for Monday.

I want witness lists
no later than Friday.
See you soon.

[ Gavel Raps ]
[ Gasping ]

We won.
We did.

He didn't kick it.
Nope. Of course, now we
have to try it, Jimmy.

We'll try it.
I'm ready.

Thank you very much.

I'm not gonna stand up here
and defend my actions...

from a moral position.

Not to you.

Certainly not
to any of you.

I'm sorry.

Legally, I fulfilled
my ethical obligation
to my client.

Morally, I betrayed
the men who were killed.

Legally,
I traded on information...

I received through
a social relationship.

Morally, I betrayed a trust
with Helen Gamble.

My only defense here...
is legal.

I'm a criminal
defense attorney.

I represent bad people.

The adversary system
is premised...

on the defense attorney
doing whatever he can...

to get the guy off.

It's drummed into us.

We are bound by
the limits of the law,
but only the law.

Morality?

Right or wrong?

Justice?

If a criminal lawyer
starts asking himself,

"What's the just result here?
How should we get to there?"

he's lost.

It's not a noble excuse,

but a legal one.

Do whatever you can
to get the guy off.

Mr. Donnell says
that is the credo
of a defense attorney.

Today he stands here
apologizing for it.

Last year,

after one of your clients
committed a premeditated
revenge murder,

you stood
in this very courthouse...

and argued law be damned,
morality should win out.

Today you exalt the law
to justify immorality.

Whatever you can
to get the guy off.

Face me, Mr. Silverman.

If a client
is about to kill,

his lawyer has always been
allowed to reveal that.

Privilege has never
been given priority over
the threat of bodily harm.

Mr. Donnell knew that
his clients were violent.

By his own admission,

he knew of the possibility
that people could be killed.

Innocent people.

And he sat on it.

He let the fathers...

and the husbands
of those people...

walk headfirst into an ambush
to their deaths...

because in his mind,

he had the legal duty
to ignore justice and morality.

In his mind, if he did anything
to prevent those violent deaths,

he'd be lost.

I don't think
the defendant...

has any idea how truly lost
he really is.

How long?
She just asked us
to wait.

She can't make him
stand trial for murder.
She just can't.

With this public outcry?

Come on, everybody.

We'll be right outside.

I'm not nearly ready
to put this behind me,

but... I'm not ready to
put you behind me either.

She's coming back.
Let's go.

I called you back in
because I'd made up my mind.

But in the two minutes
it took you to file back in,
I changed it.

Whether or not
you're guilty here,
Mr. Donnell,

really depends
on exactly...

where you were in your head
when you talked to your client,

what you knew
would happen...

or what you thought might.

Unfortunately for me,
as a judge,

that answer still lies
within your head...

and your head alone.

On the facts,

dismissed with prejudice.

- The defendant is free to go.
- [ Gavel Raps ]

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

No. Not yet.

I will say it
for the last time.

It won't be the last time,
It's never the last time
with you.

All I'm saying is if we keep
defending the druggies, this
kind of stuff's gonna happen.

Yeah, well, let's just get
some new clients before you
dump the old ones, okay?

- And your cancer case survived?
- It did.

With Judge Walsh?
He likes me.

[ Jimmy ]
Where's Bobby?

I think he ran off
to make up with Helen.

Are those two
sleepin' together?

[ Bell Tolling ]

♪ [ Bugle Playing Taps ]

[ Man Shouts Order ]

Arms, fire!

[ Man Shouts Order ]

[ Rifles Firing ]

[ Man Shouts Order ]

[ Rifles Firing ]

[ Woman ]
You stinker!