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A look at the personal and professional lives of the judges, lawyers, clerks, bailiffs and cops who work at an L.A. County courthouse.
“Shake up the system. Bring down the hammer.”
Simone Missick
Lola Carmichael
Wilson Bethel
Mark Callan
Jessica Camacho
Emily Lopez
J. Alex Brinson
Luke Watkins
Ruthie Ann Miles
Sherri Kansky
Lindsay Mendez
Sara Castillo
Lindsey Gort
Amy Quinn
Tess Malis Kincaid
Saundra Singh
2020
Lola and Mark try to rebuild their friendship after Mark witnessed Lola being detained during a protest while defending a teen girl, amid an escalating encounter with police.
Lola may be asked to recuse herself from a case after the video of her detainment is leaked. Also, Mark continues to seek the hate crime enhancement in Jesse’s trial, even after being met with resistance, and the case is further complicated when Jesse is suspected of having a medical condition.
Presiding over Luke's cases forces Lola to acknowledge her own implicit biases and brings her into conflict with Judge Benner. On the home front, while Lola's husband, Robin, is in D.C., she ponders single motherhood and carries on a one-sided conversation with the new baby growing in her stomach. Also, Mark contemplates reopening an old investigation that causes friction between him and Amy
Shows up in her courtroom in his official FBI capacity, Benner insists that Lola recuse herself. Also, Mark Callan, in possession of a dossier of explosive evidence in an officer-involved shooting, enlists Sam to help him figure out what to do with it.
As the holidays approach, Lola begins her first jury trial during the pandemic; Mark digs deeper into his case against a police officer.
It's a new year and Lola's baby is due any day. She learns the jury was going to deliver a "not guilty" verdict in a case in which she pressured defendant Leon Parsons to take a plea deal, forcing her to decide whether to let the plea stand and protect her reputation, or reveal what she knows to Leon. Also, Mark's in the midst of an intense negotiation with DA Louis Bravo regarding how and when to arrest and charge Deputy Sheriff Rashel for attempted murder, when Mark is the victim of a brazen knife attack.
While Lola is on maternity leave after going into labor while on the bench, she attempts to participate remotely in Judge Brenner’s special training about brain science and the law. Also, when Luke finds himself opposite Emily on an armed robbery case, he sees an ally in his experiment with restorative justice, and Mark hits another roadblock in his high profile case against a sheriff’s deputy,
Mark is forced to prosecute his childhood icon, Samara Strong, an '80s Hollywood star accused of murdering her husband 30 years ago; Judge Laski is presiding over cases while Lola is on maternity leave.
Emily and Sam face off in the courtroom in an emotionally gripping case that will determine the fate of a mentally ill young man who attacked his father. Also, due to financial struggles, Rachel crashes at Mark and Amy’s place, reigniting Mark and Rachel’s flame.
Emily and Mark face off in court in a compelling jewellery store robbery case that puts the entire concept of eyewitnesses on trial; still struggling with financial woes, Amy brings in a potential client who happens to be a friend of Mark's father.
With Ness nearing the end of her clerkship, Lola sets her up to shadow Emily, who is defending a young man who reoffended, and the verdict lies with Judge Campbell who is notoriously harsh on repeat offenders. Also, Rachel reveals to Lola that she kissed Mark, and Mark struggles to find out why Luke’s name is on a list of cops dropped off by Deep Throat.
Mark and Sam think their "Romeo and Juliet"-style murder case of warring families is a slam dunk until their lead witness is proven to be lying under oath to protect the real eyewitness of a relative's murder. Also, Amy is furious with Mark after a secret is revealed and decides they need time apart.
Lola returns to the Hall of Justice and presides over a case where Amy represents a young woman accused of a swatting incident that resulted in the Dean of a university being shot. Also, Amy and Rachel make up, and Amy brings her divorce papers to her dying husband.
Lola is conflicted when a former judge, Judge Prudence Jenkins, whom she idolized, has been accused of bribery and is representing herself in a bench trial. Also, Mark moves forward with the case against McCarthy and he and Corrine Cuthbert each get one unchallenged request for a new judge, no questions asked.
Lola finds herself in the judicial hotseat when she presides over the case of former Sherriff Wayne McCarthy, and struggles because she and Mark can't talk to each other outside the courtroom. Also, Detective Rashel and other cops come forward to speak against McCarthy, but Corinne continues to turn their testimonies against them, and Luke demands that Mark allow him to take the stand.
Lola is tested like never before during a high-profile murder case when the women of Audubon and Associates—Rachel and Amy—combine forces with Public Defender Emily to represent the co-defendants. Also, David Sanders helps Lola court donations and endorsements to prepare for her upcoming re-election campaign.
The murder trials against Alexander Moore and Jack Allen begin, and the pressure mounts when Lola agrees to allow media into the courtroom to support her re-election campaign. Also, Mark and Amy commit to their relationship, even though they’re on opposite sides of the trial, and Luke looks for a way to win Emily back.
2022
Los Angeles judges, prosecutors and public defenders work to get justice for the people amidst a flawed legal process.
Lola Stands to lose her judgeship due to Sherri's volunteer activities; Ness learns whether she passed the bar; a domestic violence case leaves Lola conflicted.
The investigation into Lola’s campaign takes a shocking turn; Amy makes a confession to Mark about their future; Emily’s new case tests her.
Lola courts Sherri to return to her chambers; Luke and Mark's friendship is tested while on opposite sides of a trial; Emily continues fighting for Charlotte.
Luke and Mark continue to fight on opposing sides of a murder case, and Mark has a startling revelation about the defendant. Lola runs into someone from her past, and Emily represents a juvenile charged with serious crimes.
In a race against the clock, Emily tries to find justice for a client she believes was wrongfully convicted of murder 20 years ago. Lola and Robin discuss hiring a nanny. Ness works on a new case.
Sara struggles with work, Luke represents a client accused of arson, and Andre makes an unexpected appearance in a case Lola is presiding over; Emily helps Gloria with a family issue.
Lola dreams of a world where she has made different life choices.
Mark goes up against the federal government on the smash and grab case.
Mark and Teddy take on Brandon Page in the smash and grab trial with Emily's client, Maddy, as their star witness. Meanwhile, André and Lola address their past, and Mark confronts Amy about her divorce.
Ness is in the ICU, Amy and Mark take a step forward, and Mark and Luke are on opposite sides of a high-profile case. Plus, Emily returns to the Public Defender's office, Robin and Lola's relationship is strained, and Sherri gets an unexpected visit.
An organ trafficking case takes a shocking turn, and a young girl is on trial for residential burglary. Plus, Amy and Mark start wedding planning, Lola and Robin remain strained, and Luke and Mark continue to pursue a serial killer theory.
Carl Brewer's murder trial begins, and it leads to a shocking discovery. Ness earns the respect of her firm during a huge civil class action lawsuit. Elsewhere, Emily introduces Luke to her father, and Robin confronts André.
Amy represents a sushi chef on trial for the attempted murder of his sous chef, and Emily represents a client charged with felony vandalism. Also, Lola learns about Robin’s conversation with André, and Emily and Luke’s relationship gets more complicated.
Emily represents a man who retaliated against his child's bully, and Amy tries her first case in the court of appeals. Meanwhile, Mark and Luke's road trip goes awry, and Luke and Emily's relationship hits a roadblock.
Mark's father Vic unexpectedly arrives with troubling news, Ness tries her first case, and the new Head Deputy DA is named. Also, Lola finally talks to André about their kiss.
Bravo's no-cash-bail policy is blamed for the murder of a famed philanthropist, and Bravo decides to try the case himself. Elsewhere, Amy and Ness represent a pro bono client accused of using false identification while seeking an abortion.
Emily represents someone charged with premeditated attempted murder for attacking her alleged rapist, and Mark is being strong armed by a mobster who is connected to his father.
The Russian mob asks Mark for another favor, except this time it involves Lola. Amy's estranged mother and sister crash her bachelorette party. Luke and Carver are on opposite sides of a three-strikes case and Gabriel has child custody issues.
Emily represents a client charged with murder, and a new presiding judge is announced. Also, Mark's father makes a difficult decision to protect himself and his family. Later, Mark and Amy celebrate their wedding.
2019
A new courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal process.
When an ICE agent pursues a defendant in Lola’s courtroom, she must fend him off while determining the appropriate sentence for the offender, an undocumented immigrant, whose crime was warning people of a grocery store selling spoiled goods.
Lola immerses herself in the world of online gaming when she presides over her first trial concerning cybercrimes, after two friends go head-to-head over a deleted avatar and all the assets associated with it. Also, Mark discovers life without Lola in the DA’s office is going to be lonelier than he thought, and Luke is set to be honored at the annual Valor Awards for his heroism.
When a jury's field trip to a crime scene takes a dramatic turn, Judge Lola Carmichael must determine if the trip she granted helped the defendant or biased the jury. Also, Mark is ready to take down a reputed crime boss, but discovers it's more complicated after he learns that a cop may have tampered with the evidence.
Lola officiates her first nuptials on "Wedding Day," an annual event when couples can get married free of charge. A nun with a shady past is charged for a criminal act against the church that Lola believes is morally right.
Lola contends with a fame-hungry defendant, personal assistant Olivia McLeland, and a circus-like courtroom while presiding over a celebrity's murder trial that forces her to find peace at Sherri's home after she's chased by paparazzi.
Mark and Emily go head to head in court for the first time, and things get awkward when Mark must cross-examine Lola’s mother when she’s called as a character witness.
Lola and Emily find themselves on opposing sides when the key witness in a murder trial is the victim's 11-year-old daughter; when Mark's key witness winds up in jail, Luke accompanies Mark on a road trip to bring the witness back to testify.
When one of Lola's former murder cases is overturned on appeal, Mark helms the retrial and struggles to keep the bomber in jail, while Lola fears she may have prosecuted an innocent man.
Lola exercises a rarely used judicial power when she fires a lawyer for failing to provide a robust defense for his client. Also, Mark's dad, Vic, is arrested for murder.
Lola must defend herself before the Commission on Judicial Performance after a bias complaint is made against her; Judge Lisa Benner enlists Sara, Emily and Luke in staging a Wizard of Oz-themed mock trial.
Following her battle with the Commission of Judicial Performance, Lola questions her own brand of creative justice; Benner assigns Lola a politically charged ecoterrorism trial that involves a senator's son.
Lola travels to Washington to help her husband land an important job at the FBI; Mark and Amy Quinn's relationship heats up as Amy tries to put together a winning defense for Vic Callan's murder case.
When Lola's mother makes a statement about her daughter in a newspaper, Lola must contend with her mother and her colleagues who commend her mother's harsh words about the justice system.
As Benner prepares to run for attorney general, she seeks Lola's help to search for anything that could compromise her campaign; Emily's client is hesitant to file a police report against her abusive boyfriend.
Lola’s world spins out of control when she presides over the trial of Emily’s client who rejects the rule of law and seizes control of the courtroom.
When Lola learns a secret about Judge Benner, she faces an excruciating dilemma; Emily avoids the implications of Luke's "I love you" as she represents a client with mental health issues.
Lola and Mark find themselves in trouble for pushing their bosses too hard in their pursuit of justice and fair play; as punishment, Lola is assigned to arraignment court for the week, while Mark is bumped down to the Charge Evaluation Unit.
Emily's composure nosedives when she defends a young man charged with felony domestic violence. Also, Lola struggles with supporting Robin's job offer and causes a rift with Mark when she reprimands his girlfriend, Amy, for grandstanding in the courtroom.
After a near breakdown, Emily arrives at a sobering conclusion, and Lola suggests she find professional help in order to get healthy. Also, Mark finds himself in an uncomfortable position after he agrees to do a police ride-along, and Lola is faced with her own crisis after learning that Robin didn't get the job in Los Angeles.
With Los Angeles under a mandatory shelter-in-place order and trials piling up, Judge Benner authorizes Judge Carmichael to preside over a virtual bench trial, a case regarding a dispute between brothers over a car. While Emily represents the defendant, Kurt Beto, Mark represents the prosecution, marking the first time he tries a case in Lola’s “court.”
