A powerful L.A. entrepreneur (Stanley Tucci) is accused of killing his mistress's 15-year-old sister, Jessica Costello, after she is found "naked, tied up, strangled, [with] drugs all over the place" in an apartment he owns. The murder of Jessica Costello becomes front-page news and the hottest new case for the law firm of Hoffman & Associates.

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.

Hoffman receives information that Avedon may have confessed to killing Jessica Costello; someone is suspected of leaking facts to the press. Meanwhile, Gillespie defends a 12-year-old gang member (DeJuan Guy) accused of murdering a rival at a funeral.

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.

Convinced that Richard Cross is trying to manipulate the outcome of Neil Avedon's murder trail, Hoffman advises Justine to turn down a business opportunity from him.

Jury selection begins in Avedon's murder trial, and among the potential jurors are an ex-cop, an ex-marine and a feminist. Meanwhile, a stalker (Debra Christofferson) reappears on Avedon's trail and Francesca (Donna Murphy) considers divorcing Richard. Hoffman faces a rumor that he had an affair with Francesca Cross, a rumor he believes was started by Richard Cross.

Hoffman tries to get Avedon's charges dropped due to Holly Gerges's confession. Meanwhile, jury selection continues, with a law professor (Steven Gilborn) among those questioned. Hoffman becomes suspicious after Cross asks him to help Roberto Portalegre, an influential associate from Brazil whose son was accused of date rape.

The "Goldilocks Murder" trial begins with opening statements and the prosecution's first witness (Ted Marcoux), who testifies he heard Avedon threaten Jessica. When a member of his family is abducted, Hoffman suspects someone is trying to send him a message about the Avedon murder case and that Cross is somehow involved.Meanwhile, Appleton's business relationship with Cross is questioned.

Evidence is delivered against Avedon by witnesses who include Dr. Lester's nurse though Hoffman believes she may be lying. Meanwhile, an informant turns up with vital information about Richard Cross; rumors begin circulating about the state of Cross's health. Elizabeth identifies her abductor.

A copy of the videotape that may have gotten David Blalock killed surfaces; the woman (Anna Gunn) who appeared to be strangled by Avedon in a sex video testifies. As more evidence comes to light proving Richard Cross lied about his activities the night of Jessica's murder, Hoffman begins experiencing marital problems.

The murder trial is halted when two male jurors argue over a woman juror as a love triangle is exposed. Judge Bornstein orders that Dr. Lester's records on Avedon be unsealed, forcing the physician to testify; Dr. Lester testifies that Neil Avedon made a startling confession the night Jessica was murdered. Passion develops between Arnold and Julie Costello.

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.

Eduardo Portalegre (Nick Corri) is again charged with rape and becomes a suspect in Jessica's murder. Patients of Graham Lester testify that he drugged and raped them while they were in his care. Julie and DA Garfield testify; Annie asks Ted for a divorce. Hoffman uncovers a costly connection between Richard Cross and Dr. Lester's nurse.

The defense calls witnesses for Avedon, including his mother (Concetta Tomei); Hoffman considers the prosecution's offer to plea bargain; Appleton is reprimanded for her involvement with Richard Cross; Grasso suffers a personal tragedy.

Richard Cross is called as a witness for the defense. Cross acts strangely on the witness stand, Neil decides to testify in court on his own behalf, and Justine has an unnerving encounter with Cross in his office. Meanwhile, Appleton secretly goes through Cross's private files to obtain information that would aid the defense.

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.

Even as the jury reaches a verdict, Hoffman breaks into Jessica's apartment, convinced a hidden camera is located there and that a tape of the murder most likely exists. The jury delivers its verdict in the trial of Neil Avedon. Following the decision, Hoffman and Grasso appear on "Larry King Live" to discuss the case. King appears as himself. 

Hoffman races to track down Richard Cross and find the missing video tape even as a terrified Neil Avedon is attacked by a fellow inmate in prison; a possible mob connection surfaces in the case.

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.

Deputy District Attorney Jimmy Wyler joins Hoffman & Associates, and for his first case he defends Sharon Rooney, who was arrested for murdering the governor of California.

Sharon testifies she was pregnant with Governor Van Allan's child, but he made her have an abortion, while Wyler learns the governor's wife was having an affair of her own.

As Sharon continues to insist she is guilty, Wyler feels certain that she is not, and a surprising source offers to pay for Sharon Rooney's defense.

Wyler talks to Sharon's husband concerning her confession, then later meets basketball superstar Rickey Latrell, who fears he'll be arrested for the murder of an NBA team owner.

Wyler learns another of the governor's affairs ended badly for the woman involved, and Latrell is called in for questioning concerning the murder of team owner Sandy Fortas.

While Wyler uncovers more connections between the various players involved in the Van Allan murder, Rickey Latrell is arrested and charged with murder.

Sharon has trouble dealing with the jury's verdict, and an underworld figure already in jail promises to tell Wyler what really happened the night the governor was killed.

The truth about the governor's murder is finally revealed as Mosley and Docknovich argue over who is best suited to make Rickey Latrell's bail argument.

While Docknovich and Mosley clash over jury selection for the Latrell case, an agent eager to represent Latrell implies that his current agent has been stealing from clients.

Witnesses in the Latrell case portray Rickey as a desperate and possessive man, but later it is Rickey himself who offers up the most damning statement.

The defense brings forth witnesses attesting to Fortas' disregard for others and then has Rickey testify about how Fortas was blackmailing Rickey's wife.

Rickey goes into hiding after a witness testifies that Rickey said he was going to kill Fortas because he was tired of being threatened over gambling debts.

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.

Jury selection for the Banks' trial proves difficult as many of the jurors interviewed feel Banks is a hero for killing murderers who received light sentences for their horrific crimes.

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.