Conflict of Interest: A Continuation of Driving Drunks and Private Eyes, by Stsgirlie
Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the plot twists and the name of the OC. All else belongs to Dick Wolf and Co., and I'm not making any profit off of this story.
Joel Thayer:
One of the good things about being a judge is that you command a lot of respect. One of my clerks came to me this morning with information on the Janet Rudman case. Supposedly, a police sting was set up after a ransom of twenty thousand dollars was demanded. The suspect, who was caught picking up the package containing the money, identified my picture in the photo array. But guess who put it together? Claire Kincaid. Arthur Gold called just after Adam had notified him about my photo being picked out of the array. I'm going to meet with Ben Stone tomorrow, after I finish this case.
Anyway, the case in front of me right down is a drunk driver charged with his third DUI. And it's a bench verdict, as per the defendant's request. And guess who the defendant's attorney is? Arthur Gold. He's the one who set this whole thing up. I'll be able to use his client to do whatever it is that I need him to do. As it's his client's third DUI, he'd be going away for a long time if he's convicted. But, if I find him innocent, he'll have to do anything that I tell him to. Because I won't be on the bench, ever, after this Janet Rudman case gets off the ground, I can screw the legal system and play it like the stock market- as an insider. Once I acquit this guy, he'll have to listen to what I want him to do, or else I'll turn myself in and say that he bribed me, or some crap like that. Anyway, then he'll strike out and be sent to jail until hell freezes over.
It's not like I'll have a career after tomorrow. I'll be lucky to escape this trial with even the smallest shred of dignity and respect. The only hope I have with winning this trial is playing on the idea that Claire Kincaid was out to get me, because I "spurned her sexual advances." Yeah. When I was the one who pursued her. But who is the disciplinary committee going to believe- an unseasoned ADA or a respected jurist?