The Defenders
Season 4
Recent law school graduate (Robert Reed) joins his father (E.G. Marshall) as the pair tackle challenging legal cases, often involving issues which were highly touchy for the times (abortion, euthanasia, "un-American" activities, movie censorship). In most the freshly minted lawyer has much to learn from his father's extensive legal experience.
Where to Watch Season 4
30 Episodes
- Turning PointE7
Turning PointConvinced that his late client Joey Americus was executed for a crime that he didn't commit, an obsessed Ken seeks answers to the crime on his own. His investigation leads him into dangerous territory where he is beaten, falsely accused of felonious assault, and arrested. - A Taste of AshesE8
A Taste of AshesThe Prestons accept the case of three defendants involved in a bizarre murder case. The seamen are charged with killing a fourth man with whom they were stranded on a small lifeboat in the ocean following a shipboard explosion. The twist in the case: the murder was committed with the victim's full consent in order to increase the odds of survival for the other men. - King of the HillE13
King of the HillHistorically, Beijing Opera had been a masculine art form and female roles were played by males, but after 1949, women began to emerge as performers. Qi Shu Fang was central in that movement. This new film by Alan Govenar explores the life and work of the preeminent master of Chinese Opera now living in the United States. - EyewitnessE15
EyewitnessYoung hoodlums Erik Davis and Arnold Campbell violently beat an elderly man to death on a city street for seemingly no reason. Although 27 eyewitnesses are spectators to the crime, none make any attempt to help the victim. Lawrence agrees to defend the accused, and their motives, as well as the eyewitnesses', are revealed on the witness stand. - The Unwritten LawE18
The Unwritten LawLeo Rolf discovers his wife's affair with Arthur Raskin and murders his rival. Rolf confesses to the crime, adding that it was a premeditated act. However, citing the ancient "unwritten law" that allows a man to kill his wife's lover, Rolf argues that he should enjoy impunity. It's up to the Prestons to plead his case in court. - The ObjectorE19
The ObjectorThe Prestons accept the case of Roger Bailey, a college-aged pacifist attempting to stop his induction into the armed forces. A professed agnostic, Bailey can't use the loophole of being a conscientious objector on religious grounds and potentially faces prison time as draft dodger. - No-KnockE21
No-KnockWillie Drucker, a numbers racket middleman, shoots and kills Sturdivant, a police detective who enters his apartment unannounced through a window using New York state's controversial "no-knock warrant" law. When the district attorney's office indicts Drucker for first-degree murder, the Prestons take his case and argue that the killing was self-defense. - Nobody Asks What Side You're On . . .E23
Nobody Asks What Side You're On . . .Reporter Maria Edwards disregards advice to cover a police story, but finds herself in danger when an apprehension becomes violent. She flees to the safety of her car, but shoots and kills a man who is hiding in the backseat. The Prestons are prepared to defend on her on a manslaughter charge, until it surfaces that Maria knew the man she shot and the manslaughter plea is no longer available. - ImpeachmentE24
ImpeachmentAfter his political party attempts to have him impeached from office on a charge of malfeasance, Governor William Defoe seeks legal assistance from Lawrence, who is an old college buddy. Defoe claims he's being ousted because of radical changes he wants to make his party; however, as testimony begins before a judiciary committee, accusations arise that Defoe bought his way into governor's mansion with a sizable, anonymous donation. - The Sworn TwelveE25
The Sworn TwelveThe Prestons defend Pete Shannon, who is accused of burglary and grand larceny against the trucking firm employing him for years. Despite his protestations of innocence, the jury convicts him. However, the Prestons are convinced of his innocence and after they receive an anonymous letter suggesting that the guilty verdict was rendered without following protocol, they set about questioning the jurors in hopes of obtaining a new trial. - A Matter of Law and DisorderE26
A Matter of Law and DisorderWhile walking his do in the park, Peter Dowling is confronted by three young men who threaten him. Dowling kills one of the young men and is indicted for manslaughter. Although the Prestons argue that he killed in self-defense based on the idea of self-preservation, the prosecution disagrees as the boy was unarmed. - Youths and Maidens on an Evening WalkE27
Youths and Maidens on an Evening WalkBertha Schlock, an aspiring, but eccentric young actress from the Bronx, seeks help from the Prestons after being arrested on an assault charge. With predictably humorous results, Lawrence decides to play Pygmalion by making a presentable lady for the jury out of the odd, flamboyant girl. - The ProsecutorE28
The ProsecutorAssistant district attorney Charles Parker considers accepting a position in the Preston and Preston law firm. However, the Prestons are set to defend Richard Holmes on a charge of murdering the man who raped his wife and caused a breakdown that institutionalized her. When Parker is assigned to prosecute the Holmes case, a conflict of interest charge arises. - Only a ChildE30
Only a ChildIn their final televised case, the Prestons tackle a New York state law limiting the amount of compensation for wrongful death cases. After Bill Andrews' young son dies in a car accident, he sues, but finds that the fees he's set to collect aren't even sufficient to cover the psychiatric care his devastated wife needs to recover from the loss. He seeks help from the Prestons, who argue for changes to the law.
