It's a new year and Lola's baby is due any day. She learns the jury was going to deliver a "not guilty" verdict in a case in which she pressured defendant Leon Parsons to take a plea deal, forcing her to decide whether to let the plea stand and protect her reputation, or reveal what she knows to Leon. Also, Mark's in the midst of an intense negotiation with DA Louis Bravo regarding how and when to arrest and charge Deputy Sheriff Rashel for attempted murder, when Mark is the victim of a brazen knife attack.

While Lola is on maternity leave after going into labor while on the bench, she attempts to participate remotely in Judge Brenner’s special training about brain science and the law. Also, when Luke finds himself opposite Emily on an armed robbery case, he sees an ally in his experiment with restorative justice, and Mark hits another roadblock in his high profile case against a sheriff’s deputy,

Lola is conflicted when a former judge, Judge Prudence Jenkins, whom she idolized, has been accused of bribery and is representing herself in a bench trial. Also, Mark moves forward with the case against McCarthy and he and Corrine Cuthbert each get one unchallenged request for a new judge, no questions asked.

Lola finds herself in the judicial hotseat when she presides over the case of former Sherriff Wayne McCarthy, and struggles because she and Mark can't talk to each other outside the courtroom. Also, Detective Rashel and other cops come forward to speak against McCarthy, but Corinne continues to turn their testimonies against them, and Luke demands that Mark allow him to take the stand.

Los Angeles judges, prosecutors and public defenders work to get justice for the people amidst a flawed legal process.

Carl Brewer's murder trial begins, and it leads to a shocking discovery. Ness earns the respect of her firm during a huge civil class action lawsuit. Elsewhere, Emily introduces Luke to her father, and Robin confronts André.