Paxton quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Benson

Where's Alex Cabot?

Training in Albany. When she's finished, she'll take my spot in Appeals.

Stabler

Appeals? Well, no disrespect, but we do things a little differently down here in New York City.

Oh really? I was trying homicides when you were fresh out of the academy, walking a beat, and trying not to piss yourself.

Executive ADA Paxton got the first capital conviction when Pataki brought back the death penalty.

That's right, so when I say stop playing fast and loose with defendants' rights, that's what you'll do, or you won't be working here.

That is the commissioner's decision, Sonya, not yours.

That's where you're wrong, Don. There have been far too many overturned convictions - especially in the 'he-said she-said' unit. So, McCoy sent me here to clean the house. Oh, and 1PP thinks it's a really swell idea, so why don't you walk me through it?

I thought there were no open rape cases matching this M.O.

Stabler

There aren't. Maybe the victims didn't report it. My gut is telling me that he's done it before.

Or maybe it's your acid reflux.

53 convictions have been overturned in the state, Don. Even 1 is too many.

Benson

Those men were exonerated through DNA. There's a difference.

Falsely imprisoned for decades, I might add, because detectives didn't do their jobs in the first place.

Stabler

Well that isn't the case here, Miss Paxton. Tate's guilty.

Really? Oh. Well that's great then. You don't mind calling me after you re-interview Katie Harris, and show her a sequential photo array.

On Wednesday night, Vance dropped by my place, so we could share a cab to dinner. It must have been 5:30.

And his mood?

Fine. He asked if he could pour me a drink, but he's done that before.

And at dinner, he was the same old super-boss he always is?

Pretty much.

And just for the record, you would never lie for him, right?

No.

Even after he bought you that very impressive rack?

Excuse me?

Well, come on. A pair that nice has got to make a girl feel pretty grateful, right?

That's none of your business. [stands up to leave]

Sit down. Hon, everything's my business. Your boss, your boobs, your belligerent little attitude. You need to start telling me the truth or I'll throw you in lockup. With that cute little body of yours, it'll get you all the attention you can handle.

Stabler

I don’t work for you.

I’m not gonna watch you brutalize a prisoner in custody.

Stabler

I didn’t lay a finger on him.

Oh, really? Could've fooled me.

Stabler

I was transferring him to central booking.

Well, under the circumstances, that’s not appropriate.

Stabler

It’s my case!

No. You’re not the case, detective. You’re the victim! [Stabler looks offended] I'm sorry. Does that word offend you? Big strong Elliot Stabler can’t be anyone’s victim, right?

Stabler

You don’t know me.

Trust me. I read your file.

Stabler

You wanna know something? You’ve had a hard-on for me since the day you walked into this squad.

No, hon, not at all. I got problems with anybody who doesn’t play by the rules.

Stabler

No. Your rules! You act like the law's Holy Scripture. You don't give a damn about the law. You want control. You don't know me. You know me? I know you. I see perps like you walking here everyday of the week. They gotta have control. The whole world falls apart, but inside they're scared, weak, damaged--

Where the hell have you been?

Stabler

The hall. I wanna drop the charges.

Don't be a wuss, Stabler. You took a bad trip in your own head, and now what? You feel sorry for Donovan? Well, that's your problem. Mine is convicting a would-be cop killer, who thinks doing a little time gives him the right to whack the first cop who looks at him cross-eyed.

Stabler

It's not that simple.

Actually, it is. If Donovan walks it's open season on law enforcement, for any perp that did a day in the hall.

Stabler

Look, you don't have to set him a precedent. Just cut him a deal.

If I plea-bargain Donovan, he's out in 5 years, and then what? Does he run down the cop who pulls him over for speeding? I won't take that chance.

Stabler

I'll report you for assault. The DA will suspend you.

Go ahead. [pauses and then smiles] Thought so. You may have lost your balls in lock-up, but I still got mine.

Ugh! Cut the crap! Jeez!

Stabler

Need somethin', Sonya?

Yeah. For him to admit he killed and raped Audrey Hale. [to Stabler and Benson] I got tired of watching you 2 play patty cake. Sorry.

Dalton

How can I admit something I don't remember? Look, I had a history of blackouts in my drinking days. One time, I woke up in a hotel room in Phoenix. I had no clue how I got there.

[mocks] "The liquor made me do it! My partner made me do it!"

Dalton

He did! He admitted it!

Please. It's not like he slipped you a Mickey. And he's not the one who killed Audrey. You are. You lured her to your place, found out what she did for a living, and then you killed her in a drunken rage.

Dalton

I'm not even anti-abortion!

Okay. So, her profession was just a fluke. Then why did you kill her?

Dalton

I don't know! I swear, I have no memory of what happened that night.

Fine. Maybe this will jog your memory.

Dalton

That's me.

Yeah.

Dalton

You can't show that to a jury, can you?

No. Not with your likeness. But everything else. I made this one just for you.

Dalton

I wanna talk to a lawyer.

Dr. Sopher, you conducted a study involving the brain imaging of alcoholics.

Yes, and the results indicate...

People renew their objection to this hearing in its entirety.

Counselor!

It doesn't matter what voodoo science she trots out as an excuse. Intoxication has been banned as a defense to rape and murder dating back...

The People didn't meet their burden for rape. That charge was dropped!

[corrects herself] Banned as a defense to murder, dating back to the 19th century.

Would your honor remind Miss Paxton that the entire point of a Frye hearing is to consider the admissibility of new science at trial.

I do have other matters to consider. Objection overruled.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I warn you: What you are about to see is graphically violent. And forensic evidence proves that these are the indisputable actions of the defendant.

Objection! Move for a mistrial, your honor!

Dalton

No! She can't play that! She told me the jury couldn't see this one!

Bailiff, remove the jury!

Wrong one! [stops and ejects the disc] Your honor, I have no idea how this happened.

Counselors, my chambers!

Benson

Where would you like me to administer the test, your honor? Right at the defense table?

Dalton

Guess again.

Unfortunately, the prosecution.

Benson

No. You can't be serious.

Could you please clear this up, Olivia? They're trying to ruin my reputation.

I have no desire to ruin your reputation, counselor. [to Benson] Detective, were you drinking with Miss Paxton last night?

Benson

I wasn't drinking.

Was she?

Benson

I saw her consume two drinks.

So you did lie to me. How many drinks did you have after Detective Benson left?

I object to this line of questioning, your honor.

Then blow!

No. I can attest, as an officer of this court, that I am not intoxicated.

Benson

Sonya, your eyes are bloodshot and watery, your speech is slurred, and you stink of booze. Now, blow.

I thought you were my friend.

Benson

Just do it.

Don't do this to me, Olivia. Please don't do this to me.

Benson

You did this to yourself, Sonya. Now, blow.

Benson

I got it.

Bring it up here. Let me see.

I saw it, your honor. It's .07. It's legally sober.

I was hoping for a 0.

Benson

It's still climbing.

For the record, your blood level count is .082.

That's residual from last night. I'm fine, your honor. I am ready to proceed.

Counselor, you have a problem. I'm ordering you removed from this courtroom.

Alex!

I thought you stood me up.

Sorry, I couldn't make it through the door. Guess I'm not quite ready.

Why don't you tell me what you want?

Just to give you some much needed advice. Don't give the State Bar anymore ammunition.

I didn't blow a trial by breathing vodka onto a judge, and I sure as hell wasn't forced to take a breathalyzer in open court.

Actually, it was scotch, and drunk or not, I've never been accused of a Brady violation.

I take my oath very seriously, and I did not withhold evidence from the defense.

Look, even if it was the cops who didn't turn over every scrap of evidence, you're still culpable. They'll yank your license.

Benson and Stabler would not do that.

They're good cops, but their loyalty is to each other, not to you.

I know you didn't get along with Stabler, but this is low, even for you.

I don't have any ax to grind.

No, you just want to bury it in their backs.

Who are you gonna blame when you lose your job, Alex?

You're telling me not to trust them.

No. I'm telling you to do your job and watch your ass.

Benson

Who you calling?

Stabler

Hardwicke. Seeing what we should do with Chuckles here.

Fin

I'm ahead of you. Hardwicke's in Albany meetin' with the AG. The temp ADA's on the way.

Stabler

Well, hopefully, it's somebody who knows how to sort through this mess.

How 'bout me, hon? Messes are my specialty. [enters the squad room] Hey, Stabler. Miss me?

Benson

[surprised] Sonya, what are you doin' here?

You mean, how did I escape the drunk tank?

Stabler

No, she means, why us?

Carla, baby? Daddy's here. [drops his pants] You called, Chuck-a-luck delivers, big time! [suddenly, the lamp turns on; on Chuck's bed is Paxton] Whoa! [puts his pants back on]

Doesn't look that big to me.

Who the hell are you?

Sonya Paxton. I'm from the District Attorney's office. I heard you had something that could really rock my world, but...

Benson

Hey. Funny. You never told us you had a girlfriend.

Stabler

Chuck Mills, you're under arrest for abortion in the second degree.

I want a lawyer!

Get a good one, 'cause I'm gonna kick your ass.

There's nothin' in that tube but lube!

Your daughter?! You didn't have the balls to do your own dirty work, so you sent your kid to break the law for you?!

Stabler

Nobody broke the law!

What is wrong with you people?! GOD! How many Brady violations do you have to get slapped with?! You can't keep screwin' up like this!

Stabler

If you would just shut...! Just shut up for one second. I can explain.

No, no, you shut up! I'll explain to you. Okay?! You just handed Chuck Mills a get-out-of-jail-free card!

Stabler

Chuck Mills isn't going anywhere, because I didn't tell my daughter to take the file.

Oh! Right! Right! And I should believe you, because you have a reputation for playing by the book, and it's beyond reproach!

Stabler

You know somethin'?! I hope you're not on the sauce right now, 'cause I got a policy against strangling drunks. Go have a drink.