Public defender Julia Geary's star is rising, and now she's got her first murder case defending Ray Belmar in the death of a homeless man. But as Julia's professional and personal challenges distract her, she is replaced with an attorney who advises Ray to plead guilty. Julia suspects that the murder is linked to the death of a state legislator who had been crusading for political reform. With the help of Duck Creek's homeless community and her old friend, Deputy Wayne Peterson, she launches her investigation—but then the anonymous threats start pouring in.