In Contempt

Franklin, it's me, Gwen.

Ms. Campbell. You're not taking advantage, are you?

I take advantage of everyone, "Your Honor".

I'm Vanessa Hastings, I'm new.

I gotta share my office with a rookie?

- Ms. Sullivan... - This is a joke!

And I expect it from a prick like him but not from you!

You are supposed to care.

Ms. Sullivan, you're in contempt.

What's wrong with passion?

Here's to the win!

Can't wait to do it again!

- I've got trial. - I'm in arraignments.

Unknown number again?

Must be Amex, or Bloomingdale's or ShopUp.

Thank you, I'm just saying.

I get buying one purse, but eight?

Free shipping.

Ladies...

Oh my Lord! You slept with him last night!

Jesus, he said one word. How did you know?

How did I not know?

It's almost eight o'clock, you haven't sworn at anyone.

You were playing happy Mary J. Blige this morning...

- It's a good day. - And...

you got that "I just got some" glow on your face.

- I was drunk. - You weren't that drunk.

God, what is it with you two?

I do not know except for the sex,

which is mind bending... But you know what?

It doesn't matter he drives me crazy, so I am done.

I've moved on. I even posted new Tinder pics.

Oh please, watching you date is like watching Goldilocks.

He's taller than my law professor.

He's shorter than my law professor.

Bennet.

Honey, I know his name is Bennet.

The point is you've gotta stop comparing everyone to him.

No... There... Bennet!

That's the hot law professor?

I would show up for his office hours.

You know, I've been trying to catch up with you for a minute.

What? You're too important to answer your phone now?

Listen, in my world, no caller ID is either a bill collector,

my drunk mother or somebody wanting to know

why I couldn't get their kid off on their robbery charge.

My fault.

Well my publicist thought I should have a secure number...

Your publicist? Look at you. Somebody went and got brand new.

How long you in town?

Well I'm back now, I bought a home.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

Let me guess, within walking distance of Red Rooster?

A brownstone up in Hamilton Heights.

Like that!

Okay, you've come a long way from teaching me

the difference between battery and assault.

Hello? Hey.

Can I call you back?

Okay. Bye.

- Sorry, people waiting... - No, that's okay.

Listen, I'm running late,

but there's something I want to tell you.

How about dinner?

I'd love to, but I got this 14-year-old kid

who's being tried as an adult on a murder charge today.

Really love you're still fighting power.

That's me. Ever vigilant.

But it's nothing compared to you.

I mean, you won a national book award,

you got a movie deal going...

- Mr. Celebrity... - Hey, hey, hey stop it.

You're a badass sister. Own it, be proud.

- Thank you. - Come on, dinner...

a nice glass of red?

Have I ever said no to a nice glass of red?

All right. Well, I'll call you with the details.

- Pick up your phone this time. - I will pick up my phone.

You thinking what I'm thinking?

You have broad shoulders.

That's not what I'm thinking but yeah,

- wide grip pull-downs, I do 5 sets... - Yeah, yeah.

- Take off your jacket will you. - OK.

You want some more of big Charlie.

A little live fun? You got it.

Thanks. Now your pants.

I like it when you're in control like this.

Big time! Yes!

No. We're not doing that anymore.

- Wha...? - I'm serious this time.

I mean it.

You meant it last time and the time before that.

Yeah. Thank you for these.

Wait, wait what?

Gwen. What?

Have you seen Gwen?

Just went that way, Tom.

Vanessa will shadow you then. Come in.

Guide her through the wonderful world of arraignments.

Hmm, is there anything normal about this place?

- It's Casual Thursday. - Mm-hmm.

Willy doesn't belong in adult court, he's only 14.

I know, but he did shoot a veteran

- and in the court... - Can't you talk to the judge?

She is sympathetic, but the prosecutor

has to consent to moving the case to juvenile court

and he never wants to appear soft on crime.

But, I do have a plan to try and convince him.

We'll talk about it later, I'm gonna need your help.

The reality Ms. Walker

is that Willy was carrying a loaded gun on a city bus...

That was for protection. That gang was trying to kill him.

I know. But we're going to have to admit that he had the gun,

so even if we get off on the murder charge...

How long will they put him away for?

Depends on which court the case ends up in.

Willy, I'm going to need you to put this on.

I just bought him the suit he's wearing.

- Yours looks too big. - Exactly.

Give me your watch.

That's my father's watch, I think it looks good on him.

I don't want him to look good Ms. Walker.

I want him to look like the child he is.

He's facing life in adult court.

Well, I can get parole though, right? When I'm 21?

There's no parole, Willy.

Life is life in adult court.

Here, take this.

What is this for?

For when you get bored.

Six months of social work, Judge.

Report, after report, after report.

This is a good kid.

A kid who made a mistake of falling in with a gang.

I'm just saying in juvenile court,

at least there's a chance for rehabilitation.

I've read your motion, Ms. Sullivan,

and I find it persuasive.

But you know, I don't have any power here.

Mr. Dashay.

The People haven't changed their position.

Your Honor we could have a hearing, if you'd indulge us.

Mr. Dashay could cross examine and make the decision.

How's my day look, Meg?

Your Honor, this is ridiculous.

Oh, come on Mr. Dashay, what could it hurt?

A 14-year-old's prefrontal cortex simply isn't fully

developed enough to discern higher order, right from wrong.

Would that include lack of impulse control?

Absolutely. Adolescents lack mature judgment

and are highly influenced by their peers.

Can I help you?

Perkins Boys School, Law and Justice class.

We're doing a report about crime and punishment.

If they act up, let them. Hi boys.

Just a happy coincidence?

So, it's actually possible for kids to do things,

even violent things,

with no adult appreciation of what they're doing?

Without question. That's settled science.

So is it possible that kids who have done violent things

can develop into mature conscientious adults?

That they can be rehabilitated?

It's not merely possible, it's commonplace.

Kids change.

In fact, Willy's been getting A's and B's while in custody,

where there are no gangs trying to kill him.

Thank you, Doctor.

If I told you that my five-year-old nephew

knows that lying is wrong, would you dispute that?

No.

And most children know, like these boys do now,

that if they do something bad, they will get in trouble.

They could appreciate the notion of consequences?

Appreciating basic concepts and engaging

in genuine moral reasoning are not the same thing.

So, even if a child knows right from wrong

and can appreciate consequences,

you still don't think they should be held accountable

for something like this?

Seriously, in front of the children?

- Oh, please. - All right.

Given the disturbing nature of the upcoming testimony,

I'm clearing the courtroom of all observers

- under the age of 16. - That's a good idea Your Honor.

Clearly, 14-year-old children

do not have the capacity that adults do

to process this kind of brutality.

We shouldn't treat them as if they did.

You're not actually trying to convince me

with that little sideshow, are you?

Wow, Willy.

Good morning, Sunshine.

I gotta deal with this rookie today but,

if I make it to "Part F",

could you call my cases first? My day's insane.

I don't know. Is there any way you could return my calls?

C.O's, butter 'em up.

They can move your cases to the top of the sign-in sheet.

Assistant D.A.'s, know who you can work,