Langan quotes from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

During the course of their investigation, SVU detectives discovered the defendant left his jurisdiction, violating the conditions of his bail agreement.

This was obviously not an attempt to skip bail, your honor, as evidenced by the fact that my client was on his way back to New York before the detectives knew he was gone.

The sole purpose of this trip was to travel to the state of Virginia, which allows non-residents to obtain marriage licenses without waiting periods or blood tests.

[surprised] He skipped town to get married?

Virginia also allows a person under the age of 18 to marry with the permission of a legal guardian, despite the fact that the defendant was, in fact, marrying his legal guardian, his stepmother, Gloria Stanfield, currently under investigation for child abuse and murder.

None of this is relevant to the matter of bail, your honor.

But it is relevant to the defendant's trial. This marriage is an attempt to abuse spousal privilege and circumvent the very investigation which may land the defendant in jail.

[about Kyle and Gloria's marriage] Whether or not the defendant intended to avoid prosecution, he violated his bail agreement. Bail is revoked. The defendant is remanded. [to Kyle] Congratulations on your nuptials, young man. [bangs gavel]

Noah's all right?

Benson

Yeah, he just has a cold. But today, of all days.

I know that this is stressful, but you have got nothing to worry about.

Benson

Then why are we here?

My best guess? Judge Linden agreed to a courtesy hearing to cover her bases. She's the one who suggested you take Noah, and the circumstances were a little bit unorthodox.

Benson

Just promise me I'm not going to lose my son.

The loss of my daughter is a regret I will carry for the rest of my life. I spent years searching for her. I hired a private investigator. I was too late. But thank God I found Noah. I want to be there for him in a way that I wasn't for Ellie.

Benson

He's a child. My child. Not a way for you to alleviate your guilt.

Lieutenant Benson, please...

Benson

I don't know what her intentions are. She's a stranger to me, to Noah.

I granted this hearing because my concern is what's best for Noah. I would like to hear what his grandmother has to say. Mrs. Porter?

I have no intention of ripping a little boy from the only home he has ever known, but I have serious reservations about Ms. Benson's fitness to parent.

How so?

My PI became aware of Noah's existence from an ACS investigation for suspected child abuse.

Benson

That investigation is closed!

Your Honor, and it has absolutely no bearing on the validity of the adoption.

Benson

There was no findings of wrongdoing.

I understand that there were bruises.

Benson

There were bruises on Noah because I saved him from almost being hit by a cab. I love my son. I would never, ever, do anything to hurt that boy. I want what's best for him. I always have.

If you really cared about what's best for him, you wouldn't deny him a relationship with his grandmother, his only living blood relative. I may not be able to overturn the adoption, Your Honor, but I am determined to be a part of this little boy's life, for his sake.