James Spader: Alan Shore

Quotes 

• Alan Shore : [to Judge Stuckey]  Your Honor, all I'm asking is that the girl be questioned in chambers instead of a big, intimidating theatre. Come on.

  Judge Wilbur Stucky : The courtroom is where we conduct all our legal business, openly and notoriously in keeping with the Constitution and the intent of our founding fathers. I do all my business openly and notoriously, Counsel. All of it.

  Alan Shore : How 'bout sex, Your Honor?

• Asst. U.S. Atty. Theodore McNally : [to Anna]  Now let's talk about your mom and dad. Do you love them?

  Anna Vjorka : I do, but that doesn't mean that I have to follow all their ancient rules, especially the ones that are barbaric.

  Asst. U.S. Atty. Theodore McNally : Barbaric? Did your lawyer tell you to use that word?

  Alan Shore : Objection. I told her to use "reprehensible," "repugnant" and "criminal." She came up with "barbaric" all on her own.

• Alan Shore : [to Mrs. Vjorka]  You see nothing wrong with forcing Anna to be married? Or to be raped?

  Mrs. Vjorka : If she doesn't consent to consummating the marriage, Mr. Shore, then sex shouldn't happen.

  Alan Shore : But Mrs. Viorka, come on. If her 15-year-old husband overpowers her, in the name of religious consummation, he's not going to be prosecuted, is he?

  Mrs. Vjorka : First of all, how dare you presume Roma boys to be rapists?

  Alan Shore : Because consummating the marriage is part of Roma tradition.

  Mrs. Vjorka : Consummation is traditional in America as well, but if the bride says, "no," we don't assume rape.

  Alan Shore : We assume capacity to give consent. We can't do that with a 12-year-old.

  Mrs. Vjorka : You don't know our culture.

  Alan Shore : I know this is an archaic practice that has no place in this child's life today. I know persecution, Mrs. Viorka. I know crime. I...

  Mrs. Vjorka : In this country, you take newborn babies and snip off the ends of their penises. I imagine some other cultures would object to that. The United States believes in executing human beings while every other westernized country finds that barbaric.

  Alan Shore : Yes. I'm sure we could exchange cultural barbs ad nauseam. It wouldn't change the fact you're this girl's mother, and...

  Mrs. Vjorka : And I love her deeply. And perhaps you would entertain the radical idea that a mother might know what's best for her daughter.

  Alan Shore : And perhaps you could allow for the not-so-radical reality this girl is a child.

  Mrs. Vjorka : Whose parents deserve the right to raise her according to their culture, even should it have the audacity to vary from the United States of America.

• Alan Shore : [during his closing argument]  Your Honor, these are not particularly proud times for Americans. Around the world, we're increasingly perceived as imperialists. Where they get that, I haven't a clue. But I think we can all agree, the last thing we need to do right now, is to continue to police more foreign cultures. The truth is, I agree with almost everything Mr. Bennett just said. But this is a child, facing an enforced marriage she does not want. Facing enforced sex she does not want. This isn't tantamount to rape, it is rape. Rape. It may surprise you, but I happen to be a very proud American. And where I remain most proud of our nation is in the belief that its people remain strongly committed to human rights. At our noblest, the United States serves to protect the weak, the oppressed. A 12-year-old child is asking you today to spare her from an unimaginable atrocity. I fully understand, we can't be policemen for the world, but how about for one, innocent, vulnerable child?

• Anna Vjorka : [to Shore]  My name is Anna Viorka and I need a lawyer.

  Alan Shore : I see. Do you have any money?

  Anna Vjorka : Um... some... twelve dollars.

  Alan Shore : [laughs softly]  I see. You know twelve dollars barely covers the time it would take me to say, "I can't help you." And since I've already said it, give me the twelve bucks.

• Mr. Vjorka : Mr. Shore, my daughter is afraid she'll miss her friends here. That's what this is about. I'm sure there are many kids coming out of Disneyland and seeking asylum, too...

  Alan Shore : You are forcing your 12-year-old daughter to be married, sir. Please don't equate that with...

  Mr. Vjorka : There are Mormon families who do that in this country...

  Alan Shore : The Mormon church does not sanction marriage...

  Mr. Vjorka : But it happens. It goes on and the police don't always enforce the law against it, do they, Mr. Shore?

  Alan Shore : How 'bout we strike a deal, then? You leave your daughter here, we'll raise her in Utah.

  Asst. U.S. Atty. Theodore McNally : Objection!