Law & Order (TV Series)

Myth of Fingerprints (2001)

Dianne Wiest: Interim DA Nora Lewin

Quotes 

• Nora Lewin : What are our chances if we go after Russo for manslaughter?

  Jack McCoy : We'd have to show she knowingly lied, and that her lie led to Martin's death. But for all we know, she was using her judgment.

  Nora Lewin : The system can't be based just on judgment calls. There has to be a set of standards.

  Jack McCoy : Standards might not take into account the complexity of fingerprint analysis. Everything in the system relies on people's judgment, Nora.

  Nora Lewin : But when people cross the line, they need to be held accountable.

  Jack McCoy : We have no proof that Russo knowingly lied.

  Nora Lewin : Every one of her so-called mistakes was made in favor of the prosecution. To me, that means she was neither mistaken, nor is she incompetent.