McCoy quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

In my younger and more vulnerable years, when I was knee-deep in my very first trial, opposing counsel unwittingly sabotaged his own case by including an inculpatory document in with his discovery request. I didn't know what to do. So I did what any young ADA did when he was utterly lost. I went to Mr. Stone's cubicle, where he was writing a closing. Ben listened patiently. "I can either ignore the document," I said, "or..." And he cut me off before I could finish the sentence. "A man shouldn't do what he can," he said. "He should do what he must, without regard for consequence or repercussion. That's what makes us moral," Ben added. "And God help us if we lose that." So, like that, the world is a sadder place. The noblest of hearts has cracked. Goodbye, Ben Stone. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

[about going after a political dynasty] I hope to God we're right on this.

I hear Logan's learning to love Staten Island.

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.

You told me good prosecutors get convictions and...

Great prosecutors get justice.

I tell that same speech to all new ADAs.

Well, I believed you, so now I'm asking you to believe me.

It must have been tough growing up with "Saint Ben".

A great man is not necessarily a good one.

Did you know he had everyone over to his house the first time you pitched? I thought his heart stopped when that bastard ruined your no-hitter. I think he secretly became a Cubs fan.

[chuckles] That's treason.

That's what I told him.