Law & Order (TV Series)

Savages (1995)

Jill Hennessy: ADA Claire Kincaid

Quotes 

• Claire Kincaid : They strap you down. They stick a needle in your arm and run poison through your veins. It's barbaric.

  Jack McCoy : I wouldn't weep for Paul Sandig.

  Claire Kincaid : Revenge is sweet, huh?

  Jack McCoy : Yes, it is. It's a natural human instinct and there's no need to apologize for it.

  Claire Kincaid : No, except for the fact that it's illegal.

  Jack McCoy : That's exactly my point. There is no private right of action under the criminal justice system and so the state has obligation to mete out fitting punishment.

  Claire Kincaid : And that's why we have prisons. Because life without parole is fitting enough.

  Jack McCoy : Let me ask you, Claire: Why do you suppose 38 states, and the federal government, and the military have all of a sudden adopted or readopted the death penalty?

  Claire Kincaid : Like you said, people are sick of crime.

  Jack McCoy : And the death penalty gives the feeling of control demanded by society. People are frustrated by the uncertainty of the system. They want to know for sure that Charles Manson won't ever be walking the streets again.

  Claire Kincaid : You don't think there are less Draconian ways to gain the public's confidence?

  Jack McCoy : No. I don't. And, believe me, if the state doesn't seek retribution then, the people will. There'll be more Ellie Nessler's walking into courtrooms with loaded pistols. You kill a cop; how long do you think it will be before the cops kill you? Legal execution is a means to prevent street justice.

• Ted Quinlan : Maybe you haven't been watching your Court TV, but I'm supposed to squeal on the other guys, not myself.

  Lyndon Whitney : Ted, a deal's a deal. Don't worry about their reasons.

  Ted Quinlan : Mr. Fat Retainer here. Like he's got my best interest at heart. Okay, tell me again what you need.

  Jack McCoy : Simple. Testify that you personally sold drugs to the man you knew as Bobby Cassidy.

  Ted Quinlan : What do I get?

  Jack McCoy : Two years for money laundering.

  Ted Quinlan : Forget it.

  Lyndon Whitney : It's a good deal, Ted.

  Ted Quinlan : This is why lawyers never make it in business. Don't you see what's going on here? He needs me to fry his cop killer and I'm guessing he's willing to pay heavy.

  Jack McCoy : A year, a year pro.

  Ted Quinlan : I'll tell you what, counselor. You wan't my testimony? You drop the laundering charges completely, and I get blanket immunity for anything that I may say that might tend to incriminate me.

  Claire Kincaid : That's ridic...

  Jack McCoy : You got it.

  Ted Quinlan : [to lawyer]  You should be paying ME.