When police officer Dicky Cobb reveals he can read sign language, he's transferred from the street to the office of deputy district attorney Tess Kaufman.
Tess and Dicky handle the case of a mentally ill man who attacked a neighbor. Kay gives Dicky an ultimatum while Tess is impressed with her ex's efforts to strengthen their relationship.
Dicky and Tess search for new evidence to nail a murderer released on a technicality, but their sole lead is a witness who refuses to endanger his new straight life by revisiting his ugly past.
Dicky's stuck with an inadmissible confession when a woman confesses to murdering her father, a prominent citizen, and uncovers a scandal involving the mayor and the district attorney. Kay argues with her father over her drinking.
Grieving over the suicide of a friend, Tess investigates the case that drove him to despair. Dicky reconciles with Kay.
Tess is tough on a deaf man accused of attempted murder, and Dicky becomes involved with attorney Lila Simon.
Bruce's move on Kay shakes things up with Tess; and a date-rape incident promises many aftershocks.
Kay tries to cope with the rape, harassment by the police and the impending trial all at once; Bruce drops a bomb on Tess.
Kay is as much on trial as the defendant, but with the support of Tess and Dicky she braces herself as the proceedings begin.
A murder case is dumped on Tess only days before trial, and she's pitted against her mentor; Dicky meets Lila's parents; Bruce gets nasty in the divorce; Kay copes with the aftermath of rape.
A fatal hit-and-run case involving a politician puts Gold on the spot, and causes a rift between Sean and Tess; Dicky and Lila face the truth about their relationship; Kay decides to sell the bar.
An activist professor is charged with the murder of a college journalist who crucified him in print; Dicky feels blue as Kay considers moving; Tess feels angry over Bruce's machinations.
Gold's uncle, who's opposed to capital punishment, defends a psycho-killer against Tess; Tess's parents visit just as she's getting cozy with Sean; Kay makes a move toward Dicky.
Dicky is cast adrift when he's accused of brutality while breaking up a fight; and his troubles have a ripple effect on Gold, who's the mayor's choice for City Council; Bruce makes waves for Tess.
Dicky awaits the outcome of the brutality investigation; Tess laments that things have hit the skids with Sean; Kay hits it off with her professor.
Tess's prosecution of the young neo-Nazi is roughed up by Judge Booth. Meanwhile, Dicky dogs the defendant's friend to testify to the truth.
Tess starts the wheels turning in the neo-Nazi case, but Judge Booth's obsessive attraction to her throws a wrench into things.
Judge Booth makes things difficult for Tess as she prosecutes the neo-Nazi case, while Dicky dogs the defendant's friend; Kay tries to get Weldon on the wagon.
A shopkeeper's trap for burglars does in a druggie, and the legal fallout has political and personal consequences for Gold and Dicky.
Maggie provides a spirited defense of a battered woman accused of murder in a case that Tess prosecutes with ambivalent feelings.
A public defender provides a weak defense for a Mexican immigrant couple accused of endangering their daughter; Sean is given a case involving chickens he views as a real turkey.