Law & Order (TV Series)

Refuge: Part 2 (1999)

Sam Waterston: Executive ADA Jack McCoy

Quotes 

• Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : This country has always been a beacon to the world for liberty and justice. That's why we keep our borders open. But we're also a beacon for another kind of people, for criminals and con men; we rely on the law to protect us from them. Sometimes, that's not enough. Do we need more law, less freedom? Do we cross out parts of the Constitution? I've learned that's not the answer. The answer is that each one of us is responsible to everyone else. Not one of us can afford to turn a blind eye. By respecting the laws we do have, by living up to the true meaning of the word "citizen," we preserve our common good. Through his deliberate ignorance, Mr. Radford allowed a criminal enterprise to flourish, innocent people to be killed. He allowed a cancer to grow. This is where it has to stop. Here in this court room, with you.

• Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : He's been gravely injured, his mother's been killed. I don't think it's fair or even appropriate to subject him to another turn on the witness stand.

  Defense Attorney Manning : The boy is the people's whole case. I don't see how they can proceed without him.

  Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : CPL 670.10. His prior testimony can be used in the new trial.

  Defense Attorney Manning : Not if the witness is available. The boy hasn't fled the jurisdiction. He's not dead.

  A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael : He's not dead because whoever your clients hired didn't sink the blade deep enough into his throat.

• Adam Schiff : Forget Houghton. Read Milligan. Habeas corpus cannot be suspended, quote, "where the courts are open and their process unobstructed." And that was during the Civil War.

  Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : When witnesses and officers of the court are being killed, the process of the court is being obstructed. These thugs are threatening the viability of the criminal justice system.

  Adam Schiff : Get off your high horse. This city has had riots, police officers killed, government buildings attacked. We got through it just fine without tearing up the constitution.

  Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : And this time, Adam, we're out-muscled, out-gunned, out-sleazed.

  Adam Schiff : If that's what you want, out-sleaze 'em.

  Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : I don't agree that's...

  Adam Schiff : I don't care what you agree. You go to Washington...

  [Walks away] 

• Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : Why wasn't a police officer stationed in the apartment?

  Anita Van Buren : In a one-bedroom? That would have been cozy. We tried putting someone downstairs in the vestibule, but the tenants complained.

  Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : Lieutenant, I don't have to tell you...

  Anita Van Buren : No, you don't. We're treating this like Ricci was one of our own.

• Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy : Adam, unless you order me not to do it...

  Adam Schiff : I'm ordering you not to do it.