In the Best Interest of the Child (1990 TV Movie)
David Wohl: Judge Dunham
Quotes
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[last lines]
Judge Dunham : Do you understand that you are now facing a charge of felony kidnapping?
Jennifer Colton : [defiantly] Yes, Your Honor, I understand.
Judge Dunham : And are you aware that your willingness to cooperate with this courtroom will directly affect the manner in which the district attorney chooses to prosecute those charges?
Jennifer Colton : Yes, Your Honor.
Judge Dunham : Mrs. Colton, I believe you are an honest woman and a concerned mother, and I believe you were certain in your view. But I cannot let that judgment affect the rules of law that all citizens must live by. Do you understand that?
Jennifer Colton : I do.
Judge Dunham : I will give you one more chance to perhaps diminish the circumstances in which you are currently trapped. Where is your daughter?
[Jennifer goes silent and defiant still]
Judge Dunham : Please, Mrs. Colton, answer the question. Where is your daughter?
Jennifer Colton : I'm sorry, Your Honor, I cannot answer that question.
Judge Dunham : Cannot or will not?
Jennifer Colton : [turns and looks at him] I would say both, Your Honor.
Judge Dunham : Then you do know of her whereabouts at this time?
Jennifer Colton : I will not answer that question.
Judge Dunham : Have you had recent contact with her?
Jennifer Colton : [repeats, enunciates calmly] I will not answer that question.
Judge Dunham : Then you give me no choice but to inform the district attorney of your unwillingness to cooperate with this court.
[Jennifer lightly nods]
Judge Dunham : One last time, Mrs. Colton: Do you understand that you are now facing a felony kidnapping charge?
Jennifer Colton : I tried to follow the law in everything I did. But the law doesn't work, and if the law doesn't work, then it ought to be changed. But that would take time, and Mandy couldn't afford to wait.
[the next scene shows Jennifer back in prison being escorted to her cell by the warden]
