In New York City, when a crime is committed, the victims are represented by two distinct yet forever intertwined forces. There's the police department, represented here by the aging, cynical and recovering alcoholic Detective Briscoe, his more passionate and idealistic partner Detective Green, and their boss, Lieutenant Van Buren. It is their job to investigate the crime, collect evidence, interview witnesses and then, when the evidence points to a suspect or suspects, place the suspect(s) under arrest. The matter is then taken over by the prosecutors of the District Attorney's office, EADA Jack McCoy, his assistant prosecutor Serena Southerlyn, and the District Attorney Arthur Branch, who discuss deals, prepare the witnesses and evidence and conduct the people's case in the trial. Matters are rarely resolved easily, or for the people involved, satisfactorily. Crimes are committed which frequently create public unrest and controversy, race, morals and beliefs are frequently challenged and manipulated, the guilty can go unpunished and the innocent ruined forever. The detectives and prosecutors are weary, cynical, flawed, human and vulnerable. And yet they are somehow still dedicated to their jobs, to make the guilty answer for their crimes and gain some sense of justice for the victim and the victim's family. These are their stories...