Hoffman grows suspicious when Cross appears overly confident at his arraignment on the charge of murder; a surprise witness (Tia Carrere) comes forward with new information. Ted Hoffman goes from defending Richard Cross for the murder of Jessica Costello to defending Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick) , a hot young Hollywood actor, for the same murder.

A personal item belonging to Jessica Costello surfaces that could incriminate members of the Hollywood community; Avedon's substance abuse creates problems for Hoffman, who selects a new attorney for second chair. Lisa defends an investments specialist on trial for mishandling his clients' life savings.

Avedon takes a lie-detector test and is released on bail, but Grasso tries to get the bail revoked because of the incriminating sex tape brought in by Melissa. Meanwhile, Hoffman defends a police detective (Joe Spano) accused of using unnecessary force after responding to a domestic dispute call.

Avedon goes to court for his preliminary hearing; Blalock (Kevin Tighe) believes he's found a witness who can discredit Cross's alibi for the night of the murder. Meanwhile, Appleton defends a Jewish youth (Maury Ginsberg) accused of an anti-Semitic hate crime. After a lead in her sister's murder proves deadly, Julie Costello shows up at the law firm to talk to Hoffman, fearing that her own life is now in danger.

Hoffman hires Velacek to investigate David Blalock's murder, and he retains an expert jury consultant (Lorraine Toussaint). Meanwhile, Avedon appears in court to see if his bail will be revoked, and Spivak defends a man (Billy Maddox) accused of a murder committed 17 years before. When Julie overdoses on drugs prescribed by Dr. Lester, Hoffman suspects the doctor has ulterior motives for keeping his female patients so heavily sedated.

Avedon plans a live television interview; a surprising source brings forth a videotape that further incriminates Avedon; Julie is arrested for DUI. Meanwhile, Appleton convinces a former patient (Charlotte Ross) of Dr. Lester to share her disturbing experiences with Julie.

After Jessica's diary is entered as evidence, Hoffman calls to the stand some of the men Jessica mentioned in her diary, including Gary Blondo and Rusty Arnold. Meanwhile, Julie agrees to testify about her relationship with Richard Cross, but Hoffman is later stunned after she takes the stand and claims she no longer has to answer his questions.

Avedon awaits his fate as closing arguments are heard and jury instructions are given. Meanwhile, the prosecution tries to have Judge Bornstein dismissed, due to allegations that she and Hoffman were once romantically linked. As Hoffman and Grasso deliver their closing arguments Justine realizes just how mentally unstable Cross is and finally discovers the cause of his erratic behavior.

With nothing left to lose, a dying Richard Cross tells Hoffman where to find the tape recorded in Jessica's apartment the night of her murder. In the aftermath of the jury's verdict in the Goldilocks murder case of Neil Avedon, Jessica's killer is unmasked and all loose ends tied up.

Wyler defends a serial killer who targeted ex-cons convicted of vicious crimes, and the firm receives bids from Hollywood producers vying for the movie rights.

Wyler's attempts to protect his client fail after Banks gets permission from the judge to testify on his own behalf and then angrily tells Wyler "You are now at the top of my list."

While Grasso calls forth witnesses who believed Banks' final victim was innocent, Wyler begins to worry whether his client will kill again if he is found innocent and released.

Banks is released, and as the firm tries to help him, one of their own is shot; Wyler defends a young man accused of killing his 83-year-old girlfriend.

Wyler learns murder is often a family affair after a man claims to know who really murdered Tommy Banks and then Mary Beth's killer confesses.