Not a Fair Choice - Law & Order

[@Hammer9001]

McCoy's closing argument is awesome. Kept it simple so the jury can understand it and powerfully personal so they can identify with it.

[@clearshade3560]

Yeah, so many lawyers use complex standing points rather than just breaking it down to what it is

[@callumcrawford2754]

Just comes to show 30+ years later that even today “simplicity is key”

[@Rebekahdavignon]

Absolutely one of the best closing arguments of the series.

[@CH-pv2rz]

And would have been tossed out ny the trial judge, as would the entire case in New York. Especially in the 1990s. Or didn't any of you dimwits realize they were putting a property value on an African American?

[@anonamas123]

@@CH-pv2rz This had nothing to do with her being black? I think the stupid one here is you. Under law it is a perfectly acceptable argument for a body to be considered the personal property of the bodie's owner. It's got nothing to do with race.

[@TeaAtTwo2]

The Sarah Maslin actress gave a moving performance. Her moving reply in the witness stand made the defence lawyer and jury really understand how much of a bastard her client is.

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

Regina Taylor is a fabulous actress!

[@Sunny105121]

@@RhaegarTargaryen1st Thank you for providing the answer to the question I was going to ask. The actress' name. I agree - she is fabulous!

[@PODSMPSG1]

He used his power and authority to take advantage of her, used his position to satisfy his desire. Jack gave a great closing argument, as soon as the jury heard Jack's argument, he was pretty much screwed. He did it, period.

[@thefighter5182]

Well Jack is a DA and it's his job to be impartial with his closing argument. He did it fairly.

[@PODSMPSG1]

@@thefighter5182 Definitely.

[@TheRealProlificTV]

The witness had the Defense Attorney speechless 😶 .

[@thehantavirus]

the defence attorney becomes a judge in svu i think.

[@antmagor]

lolaz wabby that’s not really surprising, I believe they make you serve as a lawyer for so many years before they allow you to become a judge. On SVU I think they had another defense attorney who mentored Alex Cabot, a few seasons later he became a judge.

[@kd17Burger]

@@thehantavirus she did, but under a different name I think

[@michaelfawcett9935]

That's what happens when your testimony is completely and utterly damning.

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

McCoy gave a devastating closing argument. Defendant was toast when a DA hits that hard.

[@lukeblough6466]

Burnt toast.

[@lioneljosecastillo]

Amazing closing. Knew exactly which examples to use with which jury. Just look at 3:58...those two women...

[@TheNerdForAllSeasons]

Jack McCoy's Defendant Barbecue was my favorite restaurant in the 90s.

[@nunya3163]

Defendant was toast, when the lady shut his lawyer up hard.

[@Slowpoke3x]

didn't like it he switched the circumstance and pretended they were the same. One is a threat the other is a bribe.

[@ReaverLordTonus]

I know they're probably just extras, but you gotta love the faces of the people playing the jury after she delivers the smack down on that Defense lawyer.

[@TheLadyKatt]

The man at 2:25 if you pause it’s during the closing statement of the lady lawyer. Priceless.

[@FabulaRuan]

Something about McCoy's statement at the end is so haunting to me. And he delivers it in a way that just feel so taunting, as if he's giving a preview of what Maslin had to go through. Especially with the direct demands that he makes, as if actually asking for it. His tone of voice makes all of this even more memorable

[@squeakymcbeal6193]

Yes! McCoy was powerful with this one. The woman has her head up strong after this. I could feel relief from her eyes. All those years of shame and guilt...now the shackles are off!

[@queenofbats200]

I love how they were over confident and the look on their faces when they were find guilty... priceless

[@nanaki5308]

priceless, there are some things money cant buy

[@sistakia33]

The way McCoy targeted specific jurors with his "extortion" questions make me wonder if he chose them specifically? He first went after men because they were the ones most likely thinking on acquittal until he made it personal. The last juror was an attractive female when he began, "Sleep with me..." In that moment I bet she could feel the threat personally; I know I did!

[@katherynemero4118]

The last juror really did look uncomfortable. And that's the correct feeling to have in this moment.

[@geocross237]

"Did Mr. Talbert hold a gun to your head?" He threatened to fire and/or marginalize her and black list her from all other firms, so metaphorically yes.

[@TheBatugan77]

In actuality, no

[@sleepwith1755]

She made that lawyer feel so small, and Jacks face was screaming "She told you."

[@paulsummers2640]

"So what" is not something you say in court.

[@roberthickerty390]

The legal term is “ whatever”

[@auntydale]

The best part is the smug look on his face being wiped away when the verdict was read.

[@ifeelpretty5790]

Regina Taylor (Sarah Maslin) was amazing in this episode.

[@tobiaswalker7562]

Thank you for mentioning her name! I couldn't find it!

[@yvonneosondu3655]

Both Regina Taylor (Sarah Marlin) and Sam Waterston (Jack McCoy) were stunning performers in the tv show I’ll Fly Away ‘91-93

[@djinnko]

Regina Taylor's restrained performance was really moving. She and Sam Waterston were great in I'll Fly Away. Wish someone would release that for streaming.

[@killnotic]

Oh, my god! That's right! They did work together on that show!

[@katiezee2]

episodes are on YT, I just looked for myself

[@djinnko]

@@katiezee2 wow thanks!

[@nathanshike2161]

Man I haven't cheered for Jack McCoy any louder than I did when he made his summation!!!!!! That was awesome

[@cloudtx]

That was a tough case to crack but McCoy nailed this bastard. The use of sex as currency in office politics is so toxic.

[@keithgupton9349]

I think it's safe to say this is TV at its finest moment. This was a very powerful scene.

[@shanteli5970]

She is a phenomenal actress. She has me ready to cry 😢😭🥹.

[@depressedglub32]

I think that the closing arguments from McCoy were some of the best in the whole series I loved this episode

[@MrUndersolo]

I still love the look on Anthony Heald's face when the verdict comes in.

[@floppabingussled]

Of course, many film goers still remember Anthony Heald for his role as the smug and arrogant Dr. Chilton in The Silence of the Lambs.

[@mikeg4576]

This is peak Law and Order right here. Makes you think. It blows my mind how many of these episodes are still relevant years later! Quality television.

[@laprincesadelavaja8294]

I loved 🥰 Mccoys argument at the end, he made them feel, how her boss made her feel in that office. He was right, he might as well had a gun, because he had the power to destroy her life. This is sadly what we as women experience everyday of our lifes.

[@Sana-cm4hm]

Jury :.... We find the defendant guilty. Me : PERIIIIIOOOODDDDTTTT.

[@irishpogi]

Defense attorney also used to play a judge on SVU

[@jaredstar]

And now my head Cannon says that it is the same character. And that this trial marked the turning point in her life

[@irishpogi]

@@jaredstar Lena Petrovsky was her role on SVU as a judge and former mentor to Diane Neal's character Casey Novak

[@rogerw3818]

That is the greatest closing argument in all of 'Law & Order'.

[@beverlyledbetter4906]

McCoy is so good. One of the best things about this show!👍

[@thegreatselkie6009]

Yes.

[@Omegadarkdrake]

bad defense attorney, don't ask questions you don't know or want the answers to

[@btsqueenofroses2988]

No i think she purposely did it because she look at her eyes and knew she was telling the truth i bet she purposely didn't really try so he would be lock up because she knew it was the right thing

[@theduke7539]

@@btsqueenofroses2988 might be, but I doubt it. Attorneys can't knowingly sabotage their case, they'll be disbarred at best and convicted at worst.

[@kd17Burger]

Yes, but she proved that she willingly slept with him That's the point of her defense She had to hammer that home Listen to her closing

[@jadefalcon001]

@@kd17Burger "willing" = consent. Extortion precludes consent. Listen to McCoy's closing.

[@WadeAlma]

@@jadefalcon001 But people assume consent is consent if you aren't fighting or saying no. That's the grey area she was aiming for. Many men and women see consent this way.

[@anglrios]

I absolutely love the look on the bastards face. His smug immediately gone when he hears from jury verdict.

[@wanharrysanjaya7259]

I like this episode. It tackles the subject with respect

[@chloecostas1989]

The best closing argument Jack ever made! Very convincing.

[@anniesmidnightsong]

I loved the councilman’s shocked face at the end. 😂😂😂😂

[@juanitasmith1737]

Regina Taylor, and Sam Waterston worked on the TV show 'I'll fly away'

[@patriciascott9805]

Proud of her for speaking out about herself and for other women as well great job Sarah 👏 👍

[@nikkiberns1365]

The way the defense attorney just shut down like that makes me wonder if she, herself, was a victim of similar circumstance.

[@seanwebb605]

You know she is an actor, right?

[@nikkiberns1365]

@@seanwebb605 omg WHAT??? I thought this was all real!! 🙄🙄🙄

[@seanwebb605]

@@nikkiberns1365 Matlock was the last of the courtroom documentaries on TV.

[@floramayparedes9154]

Woah. That witness can ACT. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@carolmk3114]

It will be a long time before the sexual exploitation of women is managed (maybe dare I dream even eradicated) but this gives me hope that we as society are striving for a better future.

[@xhagast]

The Woke movement started uncovering it in Hollywood. Then it was somehow taken over by the SJWs and today's "woke" was born.

[@jadefalcon001]

@@xhagast Sigh. Are you up in arms about the mythical "war on christmas" too? How about "political correctness"? Fun exercise I saw: "Replace the phrase 'politically correct' with 'treating people with respect.'" Then you'll see how absurd most of that bullshit about political correctness is.

[@xhagast]

@@jadefalcon001 Something has been rotten in Hollywood since forever. It started being dealt with and then it wasn't. Instead we got quotas for LGBT and non male whites. Kinda weird. PC started with not calling blacks N*****s and now we have to call them African Americans. And the word picnic is racist. But they still fill the jails. See what I mean?

[@xhagast]

@@jadefalcon001 And to me the war on Christmas is how Jesus is nowhere in sight. Plenty of commercials but no Jesus.

[@Singa2ne]

@@xhagast So you would prefer the image of Jesus to be exploited to sell you things that you don't need? You'd be happy with millionaires using your religion in order to line their pockets with more money? Whether or not there's a "war on Christmas" is neither here nor there: You can watch or attend religious services if you want, you can watch religious-themed programming if you want, you can wear your cross if you want, and you can say "Merry Christmas" if you want and nothing will happen to you. No one will come after you. But imagine if Jesus, the son of God, was demoted to being a brand mascot or a bargaining chip to leverage your time and money as a consumer. That's sacrilege, plain and simple. I don't support that, and I wouldn't think that you would either if you were Christian.

[@vt-yp7yq]

I've seen this episode twice, very moving and great acting.

[@gawainethefirst]

Imagine that episode being remade today.

[@twintailMedia]

If it was remade today can we have biden be the one being accused?

[@Jen-rw7yh]

@@twintailMedia can ya'll have president who been accused and paid porn star still have have supporters?

[@agent6941]

@@Jen-rw7yh what are you saying?

[@Lucklessfalcon]

Good point, what are you saying?

[@Jen-rw7yh]

@@Lucklessfalcon 😂😂 am saying is still happening and people don't make them accountable much! Like people still support trump that shows it don't make much difference sadly!

[@mrroboshadow]

the best moments is when i get to watch those smug smiles fade from those people's faces when they hear the word "guilty"

[@potatogirl1340]

This episode was amazing! I felt so bad for Sarah maslin, because i honestly don’t know what I’d do in her situation. You’re trapped; and it’s so common, it’s so scary!

[@katiezee2]

The story was so well written, with her reasons for doing what she did in defense of her career. But in reality it could have gone south quickly and destroyed her. She trusted him, that in giving in to him once, what she wanted would be hers to have - but he could have easily demanded more in his position of power over her, to sabotage her goals in blackmail ... so she was 'lucky'.

[@rickyray2794]

Don't fool yourself, it isn't THAT common. There aren't rapists hiding behind bushes everywhere you turn.

[@validonyt5554]

@@rickyray2794 just cause you personally don’t see it or hear it doesn’t mean they’re unspoken victims.

[@geoffwilliams4478]

I tell you what I'd do; quit and found another job quickly before any rumors got out. I agree, it'd be difficult but if I was a woman in that position, I'd leave before anything happened. You can always say to your next employer, "It's not working out and my ambition is too big for my current position." I'm not saying that Sara Maslin made her bed. She was extorted and felt trapped. No "buts" or "ifs" about it. She did an exceptionally and courageous thing about it, and she showed she deserved her position in the firm and everything else she did on top of it (no pun intended). Guy deserved to be behind bars. Enough said.

[@marshaloiscamillephilpotts7245]

Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit SVU most of the time uses women lawyers to defend men especially in sexual harassment, assault and rape cases and the visual are important is these cases, I love both shows and they are the best.

[@Rosy2468]

rememeber kavanaugh and christine fords senate hearing? republicans brought out a single woman to ask all their questions. Its a real and pretty blatant tactic for rapists.

[@awseven1144]

I think my favorite moments of the court scenes, especially if it’s some rich person or ‘connected’ person” is that smug look they have thinking they’re off Scott free and then their face just falling when the jury says ‘guilty’. Maybe not the most realistic but satisfying all the same.

[@tmedbombers]

Leave it to Adam to acknowledge the sexual tension between Jack and Claire haha

[@electroskates2434]

You should see s6 E12 'trophy' 😂😂

[@creatip123]

good thing they found him guilty. that smug smile of him was getting on my nerve, and the verdict stopped it....

[@sonrouge]

Another episode that really makes me wonder how some defense lawyers can stand doing their job.

[@normanbraslow7902]

Because it's not the accused they are defending. It's the system. A vigorous defense forces the police and DAs to hew the line. It works. Most of the time.

[@katherynemero4118]

I've never understood why feminists defend rapists, or people of color defend racists. it just seems crazy when they do that.

[@SiBanstead89]

Here in the uk, defence barristers will pick holes in the cases of the Crown Prosecution Service. If the Defence wins either through a jury or if a trial collapses, then the CPS havent proven their case strongly enough. as we all know in a court of law its not on the defence to prove innocence…its on the prosecution to prove guilt. Top defence barristers aren’t interested if the defendant is actually guilty of the crime because most of the time the defendant isnt going to tell his or her legal team of their guilt.

[@AlyssMa7rin]

Innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt

[@queenesther09]

Well, this one at least makes it clear she has no respect for her client as a woman if what they heard is true.

[@katierowen3166]

I’m so glad Dr. Lecter had him for dinner.

[@roseredmayne]

Jack McCoy is truly the best tv lawyer

[@BigSlimyBlob]

It's strange how they had to work so hard to fit the misdeed into a legal charge. She consented, but there was serious coercion involved. It shouldn't be that difficult for the law to say "that was wrong".

[@jeffreylocke8808]

A great verdict and vindication.

[@hothotheat3000]

The actress is phenomenal.

[@lashellemmanuel6171]

I feel so sorry for her😥😥

[@wheelsndealz]

The weird thing is, when they were discussing how the jury would side, they assumed all the women would side with her and the men with him, when the opposing council is a woman literally defending him.

[@weihong0220]

The closing argument is very satisfying. 👍👍👍

[@designerinarch]

The defendant was a partner in the firm of White & Blazevich in the movie The Pelican Brief!

[@georgeparker8198]

Defense attorney: It was the most expensive roll in the hay in history Jeff Bezos: ...and I took that personally

[@orlandobabe]

In a perfect world no one needs to compromise in a degrading manner in order to get a fair salary, a successful career in any work place. No one believes they are superior to others because of all the money they have.

[@LRS905]

Anthony Heald is one hell of an actor! Here and as Dr. CHilton, you just want to smack that smugface he places.

[@asnowballinhell]

I liked him better as the IRA member in a season 1 episode.

[@Pax-AU]

That felt god dam good !

[@TheBatugan77]

The defense attorney... Joanna Merlin... became up as a judge in SVU... And was one of the last surviving cast members from 'The Ten Commandments'. She was one of the daughters of Jethro of Midian.

[@TheBatugan77]

The defense attorney... Wound up as a judge in SVU... Was the last surviving cast member from 'The Ten Commandments'(!)

[@dolphingirl213]

That verdict gave me chills it was so goddamn satisfying

[@seanwebb605]

The quality of the video is fantastic.

[@mrbookends]

Dr Chilton gets eaten by Hannibal Lechter AND gets made to look the fool in court? Poor guy!

[@AndyBluebear-fi9om]

I like the handshake between Sarah and Jack at the end, given that the two actors starred together on another TV show prior to this one.

[@TheSoniamarisa]

If a lawyer like McCoy (Mr Sam Waterston) tell me: "give me the keys, or..." , "sleep with me, or..."... I'll do it!!

[@electroskates2434]

Claire Kincaid definitely took that offer

[@michaelkarnerfors9545]

...and it would still be just as illegal, because it is undue influence, the start of oh-so-many confidence scams.

[@odinfromcentr2]

Anyone, man or woman, who abuses a position of power in such a manner, regardless of exactly what they extract, should face the same music.

[@co7314]

Anthony Heald is the #1 smirker.

[@marieruiz5696]

Love the ending of this episode, n see that nasty smirk erase out of his face, guilty!!!!!

[@briscoejr1]

Wouldn't it be interesting if police got charged for extortion when they squeeze your shoes to get you to confess to crimes you did not commit?

[@Andelko3]

Judge Petrovsky as a Lawyer 😊😊😊

[@sentenal01]

Is there any meaningful distinction between McCoy and, say one of the prosecutors on SVU taking up a sex based crime such as this? This episode was before SVU, so in my head before the emerging acceptance of "sexually based offenses being considered especially heinous", would there have been talk in universe about creating a specialized department to tackle such crimes? "McCoy, you're a damn goo lawyer, but you're just not suited for these court cases", like that line of thinking. Seems like there was doubt from everyone that this was even possible to prosecute, like they weren't properly trained or equipped to do so.

[@gawainethefirst]

John Doe, the NYPD already had what they called the Sex Crimes Units prior to 2003. In 2003 they were reorganized into the Special Victims Division.

[@Americanpatriot-zo2tk]

Look at the grin on that ....... face! Yeah let them keep trucking and playing those cards. Things are really going to go south in that particular Avenue and when they do they brought it on themselves.

[@coffeecrimegal5968]

Jack McCoy is a legend!

[@jamesbondiv4072]

4:36 this aired in 1994. 5th Dec 1994 was a Monday. Were these episodes set in the past or future? Help!! #trivialiknow

[@r6854]

The actor playing the defendant, I feel kind of bad for (the actor, not the character). I bet everyone goes into acting thinking they are going to be a leading man, but he plays a smug d-bag so well. It just seems like one of those 'deal with devil' type things that goes sideways. Sure the devil held up his end of the deal, your a rich actor, but your always playing a d-bag.

[@zayeveionjones5907]

His Defense Attorney is a Judge on Law &Order SVU

[@jessicadias5014]

Kind of ironic seeing Jack prosecuting a case like this considering he's had affairs with at least three of his assistants. (According to Claire Kincaid) as far as we know he never took advantage of them but there was a case where one of them botched a case in his favor to make him happy.

[@finris1]

As far as the show tells it, all of those instances were completely consensual. And the last person fixed that case without his knowledge.

[@electroskates2434]

And he also had an affair with Claire Kincaid

[@jerrysinclair3771]

My how things have changed in 2020 since this segment was produced almost 20 years ago.

[@TeaAtTwo2]

By best estimates Only 0.7% of rapes and rape attempts end in conviction according to research done in 2018. So a long way to go.

[@DSQueenie]

Changed in what way?

[@animalia5554]

TeaAtTwo What about plea bargains?

[@gawainethefirst]

TeaAtTwo, provided evidence is given, right?

[@jerrysinclair3771]

@@DSQueenie Sexual harrasment on the job was not a criminal offense 20 years ago. Now, it is a third degree felony in most states.

[@TheLadyKatt]

She gave up her client in her closing statement. 😱

[@cooper5481]

The defense attorney is now a judge on SVU.

[@naterksmr]

McCoy: "Sleep with me." Woman on the jury he was looking at: "Okay! Oh... you were just making a point about the case..."

[@tia4057]

Did this woman say when you hurt someone's feelings, you take out your wallet. That only works for rich people. So the law only applies to the poor. What kind of argument was that.

[@withlove2963]

It's nice to know that public opinion on this is changing.

[@user-fp8xc8lf3f]

Top 3 closing argument in the show’s entire history.

[@THESILVERNARUTO]

McCoyyyyyy! Such a smack

[@landang7906]

I think the actor in the role of the councilman was an IRA bomber in another episode. I love how defense counsel stayed slient after Sarah's statement, and that she said "I'd like to smash him in the head, but as an officer of the court, all I can do is say...." the hint is obvious, right? But still politically correct.

[@petricedobson7836]

Sometimes have to break it down for them!

[@ZEZERBING]

I'll fly away.

[@electroskates2434]

P E E K - A - B O O

[@84g3ta2dq]

Justice got served

[@pheeqzie]

She had a choice, walk away, if she were that great at her role, she would have found another one. What a ridiculously easily refutable argument.🤯🤯🤯

[@Sardonac]

It's larceny by extortion.

[@auntydale]

The actress who played Sara is amazing.

[@geoffwilliams4478]

Regina Taylor.

[@Americanpatriot-zo2tk]

Now we’re gonna have to listen to her resume and before it’s over with will have to hear that she’s a strong black woman. Black people will never change this is the way they are.

[@electroskates2434]

0:08 Did he stick a sock in your mouth? For some reason that killed me 😂😂

[@jonathancineus6424]

I wish I had seen more of this Black lady. Her acting was good.

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

Law firm? I thought that guy was in charge of watching after Dr. Lecter 😷😷👍

[@GaiaIbis]

Defense was shook. She was shooketh

[@Americanpatriot-zo2tk]

Typical woman it will say she is been right when she knows a fly and she doesn’t realize urgent care there man will pay for this with years of his life and stigma the rest of your life this woman on the stand is a pathetic excuse for a human being life is not a game.

[@rutha2403]

The defense lawyer is a judge in law and order svu