L.A. Law (TV Series)

The Accidental Jurist (1989)

Harry Hamlin: Michael Kuzak

Quotes 

• Judge Lawrence O'Neil : I am a very conservative judge, Mr. Kuzak. I am a little curious to know, why did you agree with the opposing counsel to pick me to hear this case?

  Michael Kuzak : Well, because of your reputation for fairness among other things.

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : Would those "other things" have anything to do with Stephanie Hall?

  Michael Kuzak : [caught off guard]  I beg your pardon?

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : Stephanie Hall... a private investigator who has been following me around and asking me pointed questions about my past and my personal life. And a little digging of my own revealed that she is sometimes employed by your firm. I have no doubt that my reputation for fairness played its part in your selection Mr. Kuzak, and frankly... I think it stinks!

  Michael Kuzak : I had a very tough case to try. I didn't want to make it tougher by selecting a judge with any unfair prejudice. I figured that you, a homosexual, wouldn't condemn another homosexual person based on his sexuality.

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : That's well put, counselor. But the truth is, you are the one who's guilty of prejudice here. You automatically assumed that just because you secretly had me investigated and found out that I was homosexual that my private lifestyle would factor into my personal judgment? Do you also make that assumption on heterosexual judges?

  Michael Kuzak : I didn't assume anything. I was hoping to find someone to recognize that gay people can be heroes. That gay people can endorse products!

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : And I will be the first person to applaud your cause. But as a gay person, let me also tell you that public acceptance is not here yet. Nor do I think it will ever be. At least not in my lifetime or yours. When Matthew Leonard came out to his friends and family, did any of them react supportive? No, they did not. They shunned and disowned him. Those facts all came out in this trial. So, what makes you think the general public wouldn't do the same thing? Do you think that I would have been elected or re-elected judge if people knew the truth about me? No, of course not. If anything... if me being gay hurt your case, it also made me all too aware that the public will never be accepting or tolerant to homosexuals. People do not want to see our faces on billboards, posters, television commercials, or cereal boxes in the case of your client.

  Michael Kuzak : [rises to leave]  Thanks for the bone, Judge. You just gave me the grounds for appeal.

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : Excuse me?

  Michael Kuzak : You just said that you being gay hurt my case... suggesting possible judicial bias against us.

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : [stands up; angry]  Judicial bias? My ruling was completely fair. You damn well know that!

  Michael Kuzak : All I know is that I have to do whatever I can to protect my client. And that is taking advantage of what you just said here to re-open this case.

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : That is a total long shot, counselor!

  Michael Kuzak : Which I have nothing to lose by taking. Look, I don't want to expose your private life here. That is not my intention. But I have to do anything I can to serve Matt Leonard or I will be guilty of malpractice. But if you were to set aside your verdict of your own accord for whatever reasons you decide... then I don't think anything about your personal life would have to come out in any appellate court.

  Judge Lawrence O'Neil : Right or wrong, counselor, I have decided to keep my sexual identity a secret my entire life mainly for electoral and personal survival. But over the years, I have asked myself a thousand times, what would happen if somebody threatened to expose me or extort me in the middle of a trial? This has never happened to me before, so I've never known exactly how to respond. Now I do. My ruling stands! You do whatever you think you have to do.