After lots of hard work and time away from homeEllen Plainview has finished law school and is finally practicing law. Now that her life has settled down she is looking forward to spending some much needed time with her 18-year-old daughter Julie. Her plans drastically change though when Julie is charged with murdering a teacher she was rumored to be having an affair with and Ellen knows that she can't trust anyone but herself to defend Julie. Ellen prepares for the trial of their lives and uncovers more and more evidence that seems to point to her daughter's guilt. Ellen refuses to believe it-- though Julie's hostile behavior isn't helping. As the evidence mounts and surprise witnesses offer startling revelations Ellen proceeds with the difficult trial and becomes determined to discover the truth even if it puts her own daughter in serious jeopardy.