The media harasses Judge Joe Rifkind and a higher judge for the shooting of a rookie police officer who was killed by a young criminal the judge set free. To make amends, Judge Rifkind pays a visit to the father of the rookie police officer who also happens to be one of his former police partners. Assistant DA Bobby Esposito's brother, Frank, is given another chance to stop using drugs, but when he doesn't show up for his flight to the rehabilitation centre, Bobby assumes he's been deceived by Frank again. Meanwhile, Bobby and Cynthia Bennington's relationship heats up despite the one secret Bobby can't bring himself to tell her.

Judge Joe Rifkind, a liberal judge whose nickname is ""Let-Em-Go-Joe,"" releases a petty offender who jumped a subway turnstile. The decision starts a chain of events that end a rookie cop's life, and possibly the judge's career. Standing by Rifkind are his wife, Sarah, and his friend and colleague, Judge Attallah Sims. Sims has a firmer view of justice than Rifkind; her nickname is ""Attallah-the-Hun."" Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorneys Bobby Esposito and Cynthia Bennington are getting to know each other. Cynthia is uptown money. Bobby's Brooklyn, working class roots could demolish his success when his father asks him to erase one of his brother's drug convictions to save him from life in prison.

In the season finale of 100 Centre Street, justice takes a side step when a popular football player is brought into night court for beating up a female groupie. Cynthia attempts to prosecute, but the victim is unwilling to talk and the presiding judge is a fan of the player.

Television executives offer Judge Sims her own show. Cynthia and Bobby contemplate opening a legal aid office for people who don't have money for representation; Bobby would investigate and Cynthia would defend.

Penelope returns to Judge Sims and Rifkind makes his decision about whether he should teach law or stay on the bench.