Casey Novak quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Stabler

Brent Allen Banks is free.

Beck

Free on bail?

Novak

Free to go and kill again free.

Munch

Don't tell me this had anything to do with my uncle's meltdown in court yesterday.

Novak

No, though that was special. We just finished the suppression hearing. The bite mark evidence was thrown out.

Beck

Well, get it back in.

Stabler

Judge already ruled on it.

Novak

And because that evidence was our case, he threw out the indictment.

Beck

How could you let that happen?

Novak

[sarcastically] I guess I suck.

According to the suit, you conspired with Detective Stabler to deprive Paddy Kendall of his civil and Constitutional rights. Did you?

Novak

No.

Pity. Guy sounds like a douchebag.

Casey

Doing time doesn't seem to scare him.

Because he knows it's an empty threat. Best we can do is a misdemeanor. Unless he has a prior record.

Casey

You just said the magic words. "Prior record." Does the date October 26, 2005 mean anything to you?

Elliot

Chicago White Sox won the World series. First time since 1970.

Casey

It was also the first time Jordan was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. He tossed a beer bottle through a neighbor's bedroom window and then urinated on her front steps.

Elliot

You can't hold your liquor, can you?

Casey

The judge took it easy on him 'cause he was only 15, but you're an adult now.

So what?

Casey

So you're looking at 15 days in jail, a $250 fine, and community service.

Benson

Casey, you're drowning right now and, unless Stabler can convince that guy to change his mind, I can’t even throw you a life jacket.

Novak

I'm a big girl. I know how to swim.

Novak

What would I be up against using Katie as a witness?

Munch

Anxiety, ADD, and they have trouble taking criticism.

Fin

That sounds like you, Munch.

[Opens his door to find Novak, Stabler, and Fin standing outside] Get the hell away from my door. You've got people thinking I tried to kill my wife.

Stabler

We need to speak to your daughter.

No, you will not speak to her. Not now, not ever. You've got her anxious and upset now leave her alone. [Tries to close door]

Novak

[Blocks the door] I'm Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak. Here's how this is going to play out. Now we will end up at a hearing and the judge will side with me, because you cannot stop us from questioning the only witness to the attack.

I'm her father.

Novak

And your also a suspect Mr. Nicholson. It's about time you faced facts.

Novak

Your honor, I submit that this witness can be sworn.

So ordered. [bangs gavel]

[puts her hands over her ears in pain] Don't do that!

Novak

She has very sensitive hearing.

I... I'm sorry.

That's okay. Can I have a hug?

[awkwardly] No. Maybe later.

Novak

Well, you were great.

Did you like it? Bet you didn't know what was gonna happen next.

Novak

You put on quite a show. You got her off, she's going to a psych ward.

Is that a frown on your pretty face?

Novak

Actually, I think Cecilia is going exactly where she belongs. So are you.

You're backing out on the deal.

Novak

No, you're being transferred to a federal prison.

I thought you'd be a sore loser.

Novak

You're gonna love Florence Super Max. 23-hour lockdown, no visitors, no mail, no phone calls. No human contact for the rest of your life.

You can't do that to me.

Novak

Why don't you wave bye to all of your fans?

We made a deal.

Novak

And it's a masterpiece. How do you like my work?

[as the cops take him to their squad car] You used me! You set me up! This isn't right! It's not fair!

Congratulations.

Novak

For what?

The excellent job you did as Saul Picard's defense attorney. Judge Bradley called me.

Novak

Jack, I...

I told him he must be mistaken, since I only have prosecutors working in this office. At least I thought I did. Until I got this. [hands Novak a notice]

Novak

Who gave this to you?

What matters is what's in it. 5 years ago, the cops responded to a disturbance call in your apartment. You told the officers it was a mistake, but it isn't true, is it?

Novak

My fiancee Charlie, he attacked me. He was a schizophrenic, and he was off his medication. When the police saw the cuts and bruises on my face and neck, they wanted to arrest Charlie. But I thought I could help him. So, I identified myself as an ADA, and I begged them not to take him in.

You abused the authority of this office for personal reasons back then, just like you're doing now!

Novak

Sick people like Saul Picard shouldn't be put to death!

The last time I checked, the Supreme Court still says you can't execute a mentally ill person in this country.

Novak

And what if a jury found him responsible, because he was lucid when he decided to stop taking his medication?

That's not your problem. That's why he has a defense attorney.

Novak

No defense attorney could make a jury see past what he did to those little girls.

So you weren't about to take a chance he'd be convicted?

Novak

Because he belongs in a hospital, not a prison cell, and you know it.

I'll tell you what I know. You're going to stay on this case through the 730 hearing, and you're going to behave yourself, because if you don't, I'm not only going to fire you. I'll make sure the bar yanks your license. And if you don't think I have the juice to do it, try me.

Docket ending 2500. People v. Jadon Odami.

On the charge of murder in the second degree, how do you plead?

Not guilty, your honor.

That's not what I told you to say.

You were coerced during interrogation.

Novak

Your honor, there was no coercion. The defendant freely confessed.

Really? What, his mother just happened to pop in during the middle of his interview?

Your honor, I killed Julie Donovan. I plead guilty.

Listen to your attorney, son.

[turns to his attorney] You fired. [unamused, Woodrow shakes his head and leaves the courtroom] Okay. He's not my lawyer now.

Novak

It doesn't matter what he did, Larry Moore was murdered. That is a Class-A fellony.

I presume you live on Planet Earth. Where're you going to find a jury pool that doesn't think the guy deserves to die?

Novak

That has no baring on the law.

Explain that to John Q. Public. There'll be months of media spinning. Trotting out the murdered womans family members in support of a rogue FBI agent.

Novak

Agent Cooper stalked and shot a man in Central Park and you want to give her a pass?

This office is not going to let you spend $2,000,000, on a case you can't win.

Stabler

You know, I was up all night with the baby. And it got me thinking.

Novak

You want me to send Jack to Family Court.

Stabler

I want to do what's right, Casey.

Novak

Sleep deprivation's making you soft, Elliot.

Docket ending 25801. People vs. James and Victoria Grall. One count assault in the second degree, one count grand larceny, one count burglary.

How do you plead?

Not guilty, your honor.

They should be charged with murder!

Court officers, remove this woman!

She's right. We should be charged with murder.

Would the People like to amend the charge?

Novak

No, your honor. The defendants are only grandstanding to further their political agenda.

If you were fit for your job, you'd seek justice for these lost souls.

It was an accident.

Mr. Hunter, control your clients.

Hunter

As your honor well knows, according to New York law, life does not begin until a baby draws breath.

It begins at the moment of conception.

Novak

Even in the cases of abandoned newborns, a murder charge cannot be brought if it's determined the infant was stillborn.

The charges stand.

Hunter

Actually, your honor, the grand larceny should be dropped to petty larceny. Human bodies cannot legally be sold, and therefore have no monetary value.

Novak

The couples who went to Hudson Cryobank each spent tens of thousands of dollars to get those embryos.

Hunter

That was for services provided. It wasn't a sticker price of an embryo.

That's an issue for your trial judge. I'll add on the lesser charge and hear the People as to bail.

Novak

$100,000 each.

Hunter

Excessive. The defendants are not a flight risk. They have ties to the community.

Bail is set at 10,000 each, cash or bond. [bangs gavel] Next case.

My client doesn't know what happened that night, he's confused.

Novak

What, he confused committing murder with a little slap and tickle?

I didn't bribe anyone.

Novak

[sarcastically] No. That $50,000 payment to juror #4 was charity.