When lawyer Mitch McDeere defends a young teen accused of murdering a classmate, he must contend with the raw emotions of the victim's family.

With Judge Trott's decision on whether to try Donnell Heywood as an adult or juvenile pending, the murdered boy's father seeks hisown brand of justice and Mitch and Ray try to intervene before more tragedy results.

Mitch's client-of-the-day becomes a pawn in a judge's election campaign. A new clue in the Sarah Holt case leads to the insurance company where Mitch first meets Martin Moxon. Mobster Morolto refrains from action, raising eyebrows.

Mitch takes on the defense of "slow" guy Nate, accused of a robbery which led to murder, along with his brother and a friend - only one can turn state's witness for a plea bargain. Moxon shows up for the fateful meeting at the hotel.