In this quirky comedic take on criminal justice procedurals, an idealistic, credulous, and defensive public defender must surmount institutional barriers, hostile judges, dishonest prosecutors, as well as her own substance abuse and ill-advised romantic choices in order to win justice for her clients.

SYNOPSIS:

Teaser: In Athens, Georgia, present day, DERWIN BOOKER, black, a student in his early 20’s is given an Adderall by his girlfriend to stay awake to study after their date and he reluctantly slips it in his pocket. Driving home, he’s pulled over by OFFICER SAVAGE, a Sheriff’s deputy, for crossing the fog line, pulls him out of the car, and gives him an illegal pat-down, where he finds the Adderall in Derwin’s pocket. Derwin is arrested and cuffed.

Pilot Episode: WENDY REED, a Public Defender, represents Derwin. Wendy explains to Derwin what’s going on in an animated thought bubble a la Schoolhouse Rock. Wendy’s passionate about what she does, though she tends to get self-righteous at times. Her nemesis in the D.A.’s office is RICHARD BAGLEY, who’s just as self-rigteous as well as mansplainy. Wendy fights hard for Derwin and her other clients but gets slapped down by the judge. Her friends and fellow Defenders ROSE CLAY and MARCUS JACKSON encourage her to lighten up a bit as Wendy struggles to balance her stridency with a measure of moderation and grace.

Wendy spends a lot of time at the jail, where she talks to other clients including JEROME RENDER, a drug addict who sells to support his habit. Jerome’s had two previous strikes and is about to strike out with a third charge that could get him a life sentence. Wendy feels his case is hopeless but Jerome’s not hearing that. He filed a Bar Complaint against Wendy to prod her to work on his case harder. After a frustrating meeting with him, Wendy wonders what Ruth Bader Ginsberg would do in her situation in an animated daydream. Wendy has a secret admirer, DICE, who she’s constantly putting off seeing to work though he seems to know a lot more about her clients’ situations than she does. Wendy, searching for something to use as leverage against Ofc. Savage, finds out that he isn’t well-trained in traffic stops, and that he has a spotty professional record of complaints from past positions in other towns.

Wendy attempts to negotiate a dismissal of Derwin’s charges with Richard, who doesn’t budge. In fact, he recommends prison time to scare him straight. Derwin, a star student feeling that he’s about to lose everything, decides to go to trial. He fires Wendy so his mother and girlfriend can hire a “real” attorney. Jerome, still feeling unhappy with an impatient Wendy, and thinking that he has nothing to lose, also decides to go to trial. Will Derwin find his own attorney before his trial gets called? Will Jerome beat his charge? Will Wendy find her better self and win justice for her clients?

Tag End: After a tough week of trial work, Wendy unwinds with Dice, a streetwise dealer who lights a joint and hands it to her. Wendy takes a deep puff and they make love.