When fugitive Mandy Gressler dies from a drug overdose, Nick hides her body to keep his dad from being implicated in the highly suspicious death. But upon hearing a phone message left by his son, Burton arrives back at the house in time to see him arrested as Mandy's body is being taken from the scene. Despite Nick's efforts to keep from jeopardizing his father's appointment to a Federal judgeship, Burton insists on being involved in the case. But when his probationary status leaves him in jail and facing possible revocation of his parole, Nick refuses a deal that would minimize his prison time in order to use the hearing to fight the murder charges. Meanwhile, as James seeks a job with Senator Caldwell at the Fallin's old firm, Jake continues to hold out hope that he and Nick will be able to get their new practice off the ground.

In an effort to help Nick, Burton questions Mandy's eleven-year-old daughter, Shannon. Knowing it would bolster his son's case if Mandy had taken drugs before arriving at Nick's house, Burton presses Shannon for anything she can remember. But after Burton arranges for her to have custody of the girl, Shannon's grandmother, Mary Gressler, balks at allowing her to testify, even though her story is all that stands between Nick and prison. Meanwhile, as James turns to Jake for a job, a jailhouse visit gives Nick a chance to tell Lulu just how he feels about her and her recent marriage.

After Mandy dies, the DA withdraws the deal, leaving Burton with no choice but to subpoena Shannon. On the stand, Shannon suddenly claims she doesn't know anything about her mother's drug use on the day she died. With only Burton's word against the girl's, things look bad for Nick. Yet, seeing that an injustice is about to be done, Mary volunteers to take the stand, admitting that she knew Mandy bought the drugs that killed her prior to meeting with Nick, allowing him to be released from jail in time to see his father sworn in.