Main Cast: Victor Garber, Kerr Smith, Eamonn Walker, Rebecca Mader, Katherine La Nasa
Release Year: 2006
Country: US
Run Time: 60 minutes
Plot
Originally titled American Crime, the Fox network legal/procedural series Justice focused on the California law firm of Trott, Nicholson, Tuller & Graves (also known as "TNT&G"), a "dream team" specializing in high-profile cases guaranteed to draw maximum media attention. Victor Garber starred as TNT&G's head man, Ron Trott, a "celebrity lawyer" in every sense of the word, who when not found in the courtroom was doing the rounds of all the best and highest-rated TV talk shows. The "N" of TNT&G was Tom Nicholson (Kerr Smith), described by Trott as "the American face of not guilty," who charmed judges and juries alike with his man-of-the-people demeanor, and whose polite, self-effacing exterior masked a win-at-all-costs aggressiveness that was second only to his senior partner. The final "T" of the firm was ambitious young female attorney Alden Tuller (Rebecca Mader), a genius at research and cross-examination. The "G" of TNT&G was former prosecutor Luther Graves (Eamonn Walker), well-connected in both political and special-interest circles, whose specialty was scrutinizing each case from both sides so as to anticipate the opposition's every move. Most of the episodes were inspired by real-life court cases, and each featured a meticulous, high-tech reenactment of the alleged crime, assembled by Trott and his colleagues to figure out all the angles. And each episode ended with a flashback to what really happened before TNT&G decided to defend their client, allowing the viewers at home to decide whether or not justice had been served. Produced for Jerry Bruckheimer Productions by former litigator Jonathan Shapiro, Justice was described by one critic as "CSI at warp speed." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
It first was broadcast on Wednesdays at 9:00 but, due to low ratings, it was rescheduled to Mondays at 9:00, in the hope viewers of the hit series Prison Break would stay tuned. On November 13, 2006, the show was put on hiatus, but two days later the network announced it was shifting it to Fridays at 8:00 to replace the canceled Vanished.
Fourteen episodes of the series were ordered, of which 13 episodes were produced. Twelve of the episodes of Justice have aired in the United States with the final episode airing in Mexico and the UK.
On May 16, 2007, the series was officially canceled.[1]
Justice is about a team of lawyers from different backgrounds who work at the Los Angeles law firm of Trott, Nicholson, Tuller & Graves (TNT&G) and defend clients involved in controversial and newsworthy cases. While criminal defense is most common, other cases may strike the interest of the firm such as wrongful death and other civil cases. As the title implies, the viewer discovers whether or not "justice" has been served following the verdict, when what really transpired is revealed to the audience.
He is the head of TNT&G. His overbearing personality and gleefully amoral approach to the practice of law make him exasperating to many—including juries—but he is a skilled, media-savvy lawyer who shares a good rapport and working relationship with his other TNT&G partners.
He is the face seen on every media talk show in the country—and he wants it that way. He’s great at landing a client, spinning a case and getting his way, but juries hate him. It was his inspiration and win-at-all-cost mentality that brought this group of brilliant, ego-driven attorneys together.
He is an idealistic trial lawyer. A native of a small Nebraska town, Hastings, he had a younger sister who died in her late teens. He is only comfortable defending clients whom he believes to be innocent. His youth and appealing demeanor as the all-American face of "not guilty" are cited by Ron as the reason that Tom (rather than Ron himself) should lead most trial representations.
Tom is a brilliant litigator whose everyman, earnest manner makes him Ron's alter ego. Trials are won and lost on the art of battle in the courtroom, and Tom is a master of his domain. He has expressed interest in Alden.
She processes the physical evidence and hires experts for courtroom demonstrations. She frequently goes to Dr. Shaw for insight. Although she is unmarried, Alden wears a wedding ring in court in the belief that it helps jurors trust her. Unlike Tom, she prefers to believe that her firm's clients are guilty rather than innocent, so she won't be disappointed if they lose.
He is a former prosecutor-turned-defense lawyer. A leader in the African-American political community, he is well-connected, politically motivated and in possession of an uncanny ability to take a step back and assess the merits of a case from both the prosecution’s and the defense’s perspective—anticipating the story each side will tell. His role at TNT&G frequently centers on predicting the moves of the prosecution (or the opposing party in civil suits). He's fluent in Spanish, as seen in the show's last episode.
Recurring cast and characters
Katherine LaNasa as Suzanne Fulcrum, the host of a cable news program called American Crime. Her coverage of the case in question is featured in several episodes. Suzanne has something of a love/hate relationship with Trott. While she likes the popularity of the cases tried by his firm, she despises his attempts to use her show to his advantage.
Aunjanue Ellis as Miranda Lee, a jury consultant frequently employed by TNT&G. She possesses an uncanny insight into the mindset of potential jurors, and her input is often invaluable as the firm develops its legal strategies.
Mark Deklin as Dr. Matthew Shaw, a scientific expert hired by TNT&G to help with crime recreations.
Erin Daniels as Betsy Harrison, an ex-LAPD employee who worked with Luther back when he was a DA. She currently works as the firm's private investigator. Appears in "Addicts", "Crucified", and "Shotgun".
Paul Schulze as J.D. Keller, the District Attorney often is on the opposing side of cases tried by TNT&G. Appears in "Pretty Woman", "Crucified", and "Prior Conviction".
Dahlia Salem as Susan Hale, a District Attorney on the opposing side of a few cases tried by TNT&G. Appears in "Prior Conviction", "Shotgun", and "Christmas Party".
The firm represents a husband and father- accused of bludgeoning his wife to death with a golf club- who has been convicted by the media before his trial even begins. They try to prove is was accidental, not intentional.
2
"Pretty Woman"
September 6, 2006
3T5101
5.5/9
The firm represents a poor college student (guest star Amanda Seyfried) accused of stabbing a Hollywood music producer to death in a hotel room. She insists it was self defense, but things keep getting covered up.
3
"Behind the Orange Curtain"
September 13, 2006
3T5103
4.9/8
When the bride of a wealthy real estate developer (guest star Teddy Sears) disappears the day before their wedding, the firm represents the bartender suspected of killing her before her body is even found.
The firm represents a wild child (guest star Nikki Reed) who happens to be a close friend of Tom's when she is accused of murdering her former boyfriend at a posh celebrity rehab center.
5
"Wrongful Death"
September 27, 2006
3T5102
4.6/7
When a single mother is killed on a theme park roller coaster, TNT&G represents her orphaned daughter (guest star Makenzie Vega) in the wrongful death civil case against the giant conglomerate that owns the park. But was her death an accident, or suicide?
6
"Crucified"
October 23, 2006
3T5105
4.2/6
The firm takes on the case of a teenage outcast (guest star Bug Hall) charged with killing the school bully in a most unusual fashion. Tom doesn't believe him, but will he reconsider before it's too late.
7
"Death Spiral"
October 30, 2006
3T5107
4.3/7
A millionaire's son and his blue-collar girlfriend die in a small-engine plane crash; the firm represents the girl's parents in a wrongful-death suit against the wealthy matriarch, but not for money.
8
"Shark Week"
November 6, 2006
3T5106
3.8/6
The firm navigates uncharted waters when it represents a dot-com billionaire (guest star Matt Letscher) and his truckling best friend (guest star MacKenzie Astin) after the half-shark-eaten body of the rich man's wife washes ashore.
9
"Shotgun"
December 1, 2006
3T5108
3.0/5
The firm represents the parking attendant for the TNT&G offices after police arrest him for the murder of his wife, since the only fingerprints on the gun are his.
10
"Filicide"
December 8, 2006
3T5109
3.3/6
Things get personal for the firm when Ron's former girlfriend (guest star Jane Seymour) stands trial for killing her teenage son, but she maintains it was in self-defense against her abusive son.
11
"Prior Conviction"
December 15, 2006
3T5110
2.7/5
A man who Luther had successfully prosecuted for murder, 15 years earlier when he was the district attorney, becomes his client after the man is accused of murdering his landlord yet again.
12
"Christmas Party"
December 22, 2006
3T5111
Luther assists Tom in defending a college student who has been accused of murdering a cab driver. Meantime, a baby has been abandoned in the TNT&G offices, and Ron and Alden must find its parents while the rest of the team are at the annual holiday party.
13
"False Confession"
February 28, 2007
3T5112
A teenaged babysitter is blamed for the death of a child and forced to confess. Despite the unfair way the confession was obtained it was allowed in the trial.
