Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Juvenile (2002)

Judith Light: Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly

Quotes 

• Gina Bernardo : These are scientific studies proving that an adolescent's brain is significantly different than an adult, that in fact our brains aren't fully formed until we are in our early twenties

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : And I can present scientific studies which prove my cat is trying to kill me in my sleep.

• Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : [to Cabot]  I need you to subpoena a rebuttal witness.

  Alexandra Cabot : Who?

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : Zachary Connor.

  Alexandra Cabot : Why?

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : As of today, he's been adjudicated by Family Court. Any testimony he gives won't be tainted by his co-conspirator status.

  Alexandra Cabot : If you put Zachary Connor on the stand, he's going to say that Jeremy did everything and I believe that's a lie.

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : I'm not putting him on the stand. You are. Jury already thinks I make little kids cry.

• Alexandra Cabot : [to Donnelly]  But the evidence clearly indicates that Jeremy Brice's involvement was limited. The DNA proves that Zachary Connor committed the rape.

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : Jeremy already confessed to participating in the burglary. That's the predicate felony. He knew it was dangerous, he knew someone could be killed.

  Alexandra Cabot : No, he didn't. This boy is not mature enough to understand that.

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : The law says he is.

  Alexandra Cabot : That legislation was passed in 1978 as a knee-jerk reaction to some perceived youth crime wave.

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : It also says that we prosecute juveniles as adults at the discretion of the district attorney. He made the call. You do your job which should be easy enough with Jeremy's confession.

  Alexandra Cabot : A win for the D.A. So that's what this is about. Cause I'd like to know just how much of a sycophant I have to be in this new administration.

• Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : [to Cabot]  Let's say you're right. Let's say Zachary Connor did everything. That means every step of the way, Jeremy Brice had a choice. Do the right thing or do the wrong thing. Watch your friend rape a defenseless woman or stop him, run away or give him the knife so he can stab her to death. Do we punish him for this? Or do we tell him that there are no consequences for his actions?

• Gina Bernardo : Elizabeth Donnelly is back trying cases? Or did your new boss demote you already?

  Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly : Funny comments like that, it's a wonder both your legs aren't broken. You get attacked by one of your repeat offenders again?

  Gina Bernardo : No, actually one of your esteemed colleagues knocked me off a curb. There's a law suit pending.