Law & Order (TV Series)

Floater (2003)

Sam Waterston: Executive ADA Jack McCoy

Quotes 

• Judge Ruth Alexander : I think I can defend every decision from the bench that I have ever made. I'm sure you can.

  Jack McCoy : People can justify just about anything.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : I've never been overturned on appeal. Not once. Do you know how much money I make?

  Jack McCoy : About 100,000.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : Ninety-five... before taxes.

  Jack McCoy : That's more than most people. More than me. It's a lot of money.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : In New York? And do you know what I pay my worthless jerk of an ex-husband every month? Between that and the taxes, I'm in the red before I even get out of bed in the morning.

  Jack McCoy : We know how much money you have You're a rich woman.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : No, I'm not. Not like I should have been.He ruined my life. I wish to God I'd never met him. Took me years to get back to where I started. Then I have to sit here every day... and listen to these spoiled rich people... arguing about $50,000 a month clothing allowances, horseback riding lessons and Tuscan villas

  Judge Ruth Alexander : Why shouldn't I be compensated, having to listen to all that greed and spite and stupidity?

  Jack McCoy : "The best interests of the child." Doesn't that phrase mean anything to you?

  Judge Ruth Alexander : Of course it does. I never made any ruling that harmed a child, ever.

  Jack McCoy : You decided custody cases for money. People at their most vulnerable and desperate. You sold your judgment on the most precious thing in their lives.

  Jack McCoy : That kind of corruption... is unspeakable.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : I never decided any custody case except on its own merits.

  Jack McCoy : You took Lena Marchetti's mother from her. What about that child?

  Judge Ruth Alexander : Lena Marchetti? What... I didn't... Am I... What are you saying?

  Jack McCoy : Patel says he set up the meeting with Arianna the night before, per your instructions.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : I may have talked to him that night. I don't remember. I'm sure you have the records, but let me remind you that Ravi Patel will say anything to save his own skin.

  Jack McCoy : We have forensic evidence. Hair, fingerprints. We can put Arianna Marchetti in your car.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : It was an accident. It was an unfortunate, unlucky accident.

  Jack McCoy : You just wanted to talk to her. You never meant for that to happen, to harm her in anyway.

  Judge Ruth Alexander : No. No, I didn't. I'm s-so sorry... I can't tell you. I never intended to - I mean, I just wanted to talk to her. I just wanted to reason with her. I just wanted her to see what was best for everyone. But Arianna was just... She was fixated. She just would not let it go. She wouldn't think it through, see the consequences. She was just... so obsessed with sticking it to her husband.