The Lincoln Lawyer

Mick surprises the prosecution by stating that the defense rests. Minton asks the judge to allow him one more day of trial so that he can get his rebuttal witness to court. After the judge dismisses the jury, Roulet asks Mick how the trial is looking, touching his shoulder. Mick angrily tells him not to touch him and to return his gun.

Minton offers another deal: dropping the charges to “simple assault. Six months in county” (418). This offer means that the prosecution wants to avoid the embarrassment of losing. They need Roulet to plead guilty, even if he ends up serving the lowest possible sentence. Mick rebuts Minton’s offer because pleading guilty would open Roulet up to a civil lawsuit that could bankrupt him.

Mick heads to the bar to work on his closing argument. He calls Maggie to join him. When she declines, he asks her what she knows about ballistics. She tells him that a rush order could have the results within 24 hours. This means Detectives Lankford and Sobel could get the evidence needed to arrest Mick for Levin’s murder any minute, so he decides to stay in a hotel in case they are waiting for him at his house.