Law & Order (TV Series)

Baby, It's You (1997)

Sam Waterston: Executive ADA Jack McCoy

Quotes 

• Jack McCoy : What are your clients afraid of, Mr. Drake?

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : What are they afraid of? They're afraid of a police department that's got more leaks in it than the Exxon Valdez.

• Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : This does not mean we're setting ourselves up as private investigators. Every lead that comes in, we forward to the police.

  A.D.A. Jamie Ross : You're offering a $250,000 reward. Do you have any idea how many false leads that will attract?

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : If it attracts one good lead, my clients feel it's money very well spent.

  Jack McCoy : It's a colossal waste of police time, Mr. Drake. I warned you about interfering with our investigation.

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : What investigation? Huh? I offered the police the services of a bona fide FBI manhunter, and what do they do? They dismiss his report, they ignore his recommendation, and they practically laugh in the man's face!

  Jack McCoy : They were a lot kinder than I would've been. If I see any more of this nonsense from you, I'll have the ethics committee sanction you for professional misconduct.

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : Ah, I see-- You're gonna come after the Janaways' counselor while their daughter's murderer is running around loose in the street? I don't think that's going to look very good!

  Jack McCoy : Not as bad as what you've been doing. Leaking evidence, publishing suspect profiles. It looks like your clients are trying to poison the jury pool. They're better suspects than ever.

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : How dare you say anything like that? You know something? You've got a lot of nerve. And let me tell you something. You take one baby step towards my clients and I'm coming after you for slander and malicious prosecution.

  Jack McCoy : We prosecute who we see fit when we see fit. You better not get in the way.

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : I'm gonna run this ad from Monday through Sunday for two weeks, and every lead that comes in, I'm gonna forward to the police department, and I expect them to follow up on each one of them!

  Jack McCoy : You don't dictate anything to us! You screw up this investigation, I'll see you get your license pulled! The Janaways will be your last clients in the state of New York!

• [last lines] 

  Jack McCoy : Ramirez claims he didn't see the assailant, but he's suggesting it was the girl's father.

  Dr. Emil Skoda : And you want to know if he's blowing smoke?

  Jack McCoy : For starters. Does this crime fit the pattern for incest?

  Dr. Emil Skoda : Sure. Why wouldn't it?

  Jack McCoy : This was a violent rape, Emil. This wasn't seduction. It was punishment.

  Dr. Emil Skoda : It's all about submission. Guys who get into this like to think they're seducing their kids, but they're not. They're dominating them.

  Jack McCoy : That still doesn't explain a father hating his child so much he'd literally rape her to death.

  Dr. Emil Skoda : Give me another twenty years as a shrink, I'll come up with an explanation.

  Jack McCoy : I'm gonna need some strategies to deal with Janaway.

  Dr. Emil Skoda : Don't hold your breath for a confession.

  [heavy sigh] 

  Dr. Emil Skoda : Jack, you're about to look into a very ugly corner of the human heart. Bring a shovel.

• Jack McCoy : [turning off a news report about the murder]  These anonymous sources, the wouldn't be wearing blue, would they?

  Lt. Anita Van Buren : Those leaks did not come out of my squad.

  A.D.A. Jamie Ross : They got the M.E.'s report before we did.

  Jack McCoy : I want these leaks stopped, Lieutenant.

  Lt. Anita Van Buren : Do you want me to compile an enemies list while I'm at it?

  Jack McCoy : I don't see anything funny here.

  Lt. Anita Van Buren : Well, a case this big, we're going to get leaks. We might as well get used to it.

  Jack McCoy : No, that's not good enough. By the time we present this case to a jury, the details will be clues in the Daily News Sunday crossword.

  Lt. Anita Van Buren : Which could be the whole point of leaking the information in the first place. The Janaways know people who know people in the department.

  A.D.A. Jamie Ross : The Janaways are the anonymous source?

  Lt. Anita Van Buren : Why not? If they got a heads-up that this investigation's about to turn back on them, these leaks could just be preemptive.

  Jack McCoy : Have your people talked to Mrs. Janaway about her husband and her daughter?

  Lt. Anita Van Buren : They're going to try today.

  Jack McCoy : Good. This time, let's try to stay one step ahead of the media.

• Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : Your Honor, my clients are not defendants, and they are not named in any indictment that I am aware of, therefore I or they can speak to the press whenever we choose to.

  Jack McCoy : Your Honor, I've initiated a grand jury proceeding. I am now serving Mr. and Mrs. Janaway with subpoenas to appear before the grand jury. Miss Ross.

  [Jamie presents subpoenas to judge] 

  Jack McCoy : I ask Your Honor to order Mr. and Mrs. Janaway and their attorney not to speak about this case to anyone.

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : This is absurd. This has nothing to do with my clients' testimony, and everything to do with shutting them up!

  Jack McCoy : These subpoenas are valid on their face. Why they were issued is not up for discussion.

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : This is an abuse of his office!

  Jack McCoy : If Mr. Drake wants to quash, he has 30 days to move. Until then, Your Honor has the authority to order all parties and/or witnesses to remain silent, and to cite anyone who violates your order for criminal contempt.

  Judge Barry McLellan : Mr. Drake, once your clients have been subpoenaed, it's all done.

  Defense Attorney Leslie Drake : Your Honor, in all due deference, any order of this kind is tantamount to an unconstitutional gag order, and I intend to appeal!

  Judge Barry McLellan : Appeal all you want. Now, I'm issuing the order, and I strongly advise you and your clients to stay off the 6:00 news.

  Jack McCoy : Your Honor, Mr. Drake's clients have also posted a $250,000 reward.

  Judge Barry McLellan : Well, I'm ordering that withdrawn right now.