David Garrison: Asst. U.S. Atty. Theodore McNally

Quotes 

• 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.

• Asst. U.S. Atty. Theodore McNally : [during his closing argument]  We are here, representing Mr. and Mrs. Viorka, and representing the United States, a country being condemned, worldwide at the moment, for imposing its views beyond its own borders. Do I favor arraigned marriages? Absolutely not. When children are involved, I find it abhorrent, as I'm sure you do, Your Honor. But, it is simply not our right to dictate our notion of morality to foreign countries. Anna Viorka is a wonderful little girl, but, by her own testimony, she's not really afraid of getting married. She just doesn't want to do it. That simply fails to rise to the legal threshold of persecution that warrants asylum. This girl has a loving family, eager to safeguard her future according to their culture and their tradition. As much as we might reject that tradition, it is not our right to substitute our own.

• 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!