Dr. Crusius is a dour judge who manages to alienate an entire legal community with his arrogance and ever-smoldering anger. Abel is a freewheeling, hotshot young attorney who uses unconventional methods to win his cases. This German courtroom drama chronicles what happens when the two are thrown together in a difficult situation. Abel is first seen helping a client beat a traffic ticket in Crusius' court. The humorless judge (a sore loser) is less than pleased and gives Abel a stern lecture. The two meet again when the judge is suddenly accused of murdering a young prostitute. All the evidence seems clear cut. More trouble for the old judge comes when all those he has alienated get revenge by refusing to represent him. Unfortunately for young Abel, he is given no choice. Before he can do anything though, the attorney must learn the carefully guarded truth about the judge.