All Rise

I kissed Luke. I have been trying to tell you.

Do you want to be with Luke?

I care for both of them, and trying to choose,

I feel like I just... I can't.

Amy kicked me out of the house. Thank you.

Get mad at those thin little lips of yours.

You need to come clean about your marriage.

Collier, I've fallen in love with someone.

I'm gonna have to tell him about us.

Sorry. Sara, I have to go.

Nikki?

I heard them get into an... altercation.

I've known Whitney for years.

It's not what I thought.

I'm sorry I disturbed you.

Ms. Castillo Sara, hold on.

What do you know about McCarthy

fabricating witness statements?

Watkins, you signed a statement for McCarthy

when we were fresh out of the academy.

You don't remember?

This is how mornings should start.

You can't possibly need all this.

If this lawyering thing doesn't work out,

you would make an excellent pack mule.

The least I can do for letting me stay in your guest house.

Amy ready to forgive you yet?

Last time she said my name, she didn't use any expletives.

You ready for today?

How do you get ready to have another judge as a defendant?

- It feels wrong. - Not just any judge...

Prudence Jenkins is a legend.

I saw her on the bench when I was in college.

It made me realize I could bea judge.

But when they filed those bribery charges against her...

Bomb went off. I am just getting back to work.

Why can't I get any low-grade felonies?

How's the McCarthy case going?

So much work.

I'm just worried about what judge we get.

And Laski's court is opening back up.

What?!

What? You knew that.

Is this the face of someone who knew that?

No, it's the face of someone who's leaving right now.

Sherri, do you always get here this early?

I get here before you. It's the natural order of things.

You do not have an appointment. I was helping with her bags.

He was just leaving.

Don't worry. You will not get Laski.

If I do, I'm gonna have to remove him.

Do not paper Laski!

He'll hold it against everyone in your office.

Go good. Sherri, always a pleasure.

You do go home, right?

Good morning.

Good morning!

Hi. How you holding up? I'm fine.

Things are weird between Benner and me,

but... I'm fine.

I'm sure you're both worried about Nikki.

When kids are endangered by their parent, it...

No, it is a beautiful morning,

and I am trying to count my blessings.

Absolutely. Stay positive.

Distract me. Have you heard from Joaquin?

Radio silence. Do you want to hear from Joaquin?

- Hey, Sara. - Yeah.

- Emily. - Good morning.

Hey, Luke. Good to see you in the morning.

I mean, not not like that.

I just mean because our schedules,

we don't.

I am late for work.

Okay.

Bye.

I have no words.

- There she is. - There who is?

Judge Jenkins. She's even more impressive in person.

Looks like she's fighting with her lawyer.

I know her lawyer. He's a bully.

Whoa. Her lawyer is crying.

The bully is crying?

Now her lawyer is leaving.

I can't believe it!

Carmichael!

All rise.

Superior Court is now in session.

The Honorable Judge Lola Carmichael is presiding.

You may be seated.

Good morning.

Looks like I missed out on all the excitement.

Calling the matter of People v. Prudence Jenkins,

receiving a bribe while a public official.

Counsel, your appearances.

Prudence Jenkins, Your Honor.

Clayton Berger for the People.

Judge Jenkins, I see your attorney is not present.

Will you be requesting a continuance?

Not at this time, Your Honor.

Um... you won't?

It is unorthodox, but I've decided it's best

that I represent myself.

These bribery charges are an attack on my integrity,

my entire career.

I can't leave my fate in someone else's hands.

I already have the waiver filled out.

I see. Then the procedure is to

go over the disadvantages verbally.

"Disadvantages to include

"but are not limited to the following...

If I had a lawyer... ".

"That lawyer would be able to investigate my case"

23 years on the bench and you'll have it memorized, too.

You'll also know when extraordinary measures

are needed to defend yourself.

Then you understand.

I hereby state that I have read the waiver,

I understand the waiver,

and I have no questions about the waiver.

- I know what I'm doing. - You'll need to.

Captioned by Los Angeles Distribution and Broadcasting, Inc.

Always hard at work. Good for you, Sam.

Case isn't going to prep itself.

Luke. My office.

- On the way. - Choi.

Morning. Hey, you got a minute?

I could use your insight on a little judicial strategy.

McCarthy case? Yeah, I just thought that the...

Are we securely in your office?

- No. - Can anyone hear us

in this location who isn't supposed to know

the highly classified information

that makes up your top priority case?

Yeah. Then I don't have time to talk strategy.

But... because it's for this case,

I will make time, later.

Was that all for my benefit?

Kind of. It's your lucky morning.

A convicted murderer is eligible for release.

You'll review the file, go to the hearing,

and be prepared to make a recommendation

- to the parole board. - A lifer hearing.

That's... that's above my pay grade.

Well, buckle in. There's more.

The recommendation is your call.

- But... - Meet Shayne Monroe.

He's been in prison for 25 years

for killing his buddy, Cyrus Wilkinson.

Shayne and Cyrus were both members

of the Hazor Brigade, a white supremacist militia.

Militia? Shayne mistakenly thought

that Cyrus was an FBI informant, so he killed him.

Is there any particular reason you chose a Black man

to attend the parole hearing for a white supremacist?

I do have a particular reason.

The McCarthy case is heating up,

and you're a potential witness.

That means you have to be fire walled.

I thought your advocacy of restorative justice

might lead you somewhere interesting.

You'll have the authority to make the recommendation

you feel is appropriate, and I'll be there.

You're welcome.

We get the wrong judge,

we might as well withdraw the charges,

scrap the whole thing.

And Laski's court just opened up.

- How does everyone know that? - It's not a secret.

- Laski hates me. - Also not a secret.

Close call on an objection,

Laski's love of watching me squirm cannot be a factor.

Might have to go nuclear, paper him.

Requesting a new judge is kind of risky.

Each side only gets one chance to do that.

I know, it's extreme, but II'm...

Hey, we got this. We got this.

High five.

- Okay. - Yep.

Okay.

Please state your name and occupation for the record.

Sylvia Arthur. I'm the director

of the nonprofit Rainbow Doors.

On December 3, 2015, did your organization receive

a donation from Andre Buckingham

in the amount of $50,000?

- It did. - Your Honor,

I ask that the Court take notice

that this was the day before Judge Jenkins

delivered her "not guilty" verdict.

How much is your average donation?

- $40. - Ms. Arthur,

did you know who Andre Buckingham was

before that donation was made?

No. After wards, I learned he is a lawyer in Santa Barbara

but nothing from our donor files.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Care to cross-examine the witness, Your Hon.

Judge Jenkins?

Thank you, Your Honor.