Plot Synopsis

ALL RISE is a one-hour courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal process. Among them is newly appointed Judge Lola Carmichael, a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn't intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be. Those offering Lola counsel are her roguish best friend and colleague, Mark Callan, a successful deputy district attorney who now must adjust to the shifting boundaries in their personal and professional relationship; Supervisory Judge Lisa Benner, an influential, powerful figure tasked with overseeing Lola's transition into her new job; and Lola's efficient, pragmatic judicial assistant, Sherri Kansky, who isn't thrilled at the prospect of "training" a rookie judge. Also working in the courthouse are Emily Lopez, an empathetic and blunt public defender filled with fire and conviction; Luke Watkins, a court bailiff by day, law student by night; and Sara Castillo, a court reporter and reliable source of intel and advice. When an ICE agent pursues a defendant in Lola's courtroom, she must fend him off while determining the appropriate sentence for the offender, an undocumented immigrant, whose crime was warning people of a grocery store selling spoiled goods. Then, Lola immerses herself in the world of online gaming when she presides over her first trial concerning cybercrimes, after two friends go head-to-head over a deleted avatar and all the assets associated with it. Also, Mark discovers life without Lola in the DA's office is going to be lonelier than he thought, and Luke is set to be honored at the annual Valor Awards for his heroism.

The sophomore season of ALL RISE premiered on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on CBS. In Part 1 of the two-part season opener, "A Change Is Gonna Come," Lola and Mark try to rebuild their friendship after Mark witnessed Lola being detained during a protest while defending a teen girl, amid an escalating encounter with police. Through a series of flashbacks, details emerge surrounding the night of the protest as well as the long-lasting effects they have on Lola, Mark, Emily, Luke and everyone else involved. Also, to help with the court backlog due to closures caused by COVID-19, Lola hires Ness Johnson, a bright, outspoken legal clerk who immediately clashes with Sherri. Part 2 debuted the following week on Monday, November 23 at 9pm. In "Keep Ya Head Up," Lola may be asked to recuse herself from a case after the video of her detainment is leaked. Also, Mark continues to seek the hate crime enhancement in Jesse's (guest star Tyler Barnhardt) trial, even after being met with resistance, and the case is further complicated when Jesse is suspected of having a medical condition. After a three-week break, ALL RISE returned with new episodes on Monday, January 4, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on CBS. In the winter premiere, "Bounceback," it's a new year and Lola's baby is due any day. She learns the jury was going to deliver a "not guilty" verdict in a case in which she pressured defendant Leon Parsons (guest star Isaiah Johnson) to take a plea deal, forcing her to decide whether to let the plea stand and protect her reputation, or reveal what she knows to Leon. Also, Mark's in the midst of an intense negotiation with DA Louis Bravo (guest star Ian Anthony Dale) regarding how and when to arrest and charge Deputy Sheriff Rashel (guest star Nick Wechsler) for attempted murder, when Mark is the victim of a brazen knife attack.

Switching to a new network for its new season, the 20-episode third season of ALL RISE premieres on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Season 3 picks up six months after the events of the sophomore finale and will bring about new beginnings for these judges, prosecutors and public defenders. We return on election night as Judge Lola Carmichael awaits the results of her campaign; Emily returns from Puerto Rico with renewed drive and purpose about her career and Luke continues to shake things up through his work in the public defender's office. The new season welcomes new recurring cast members including Roger Guenveur Smith portraying Judge Marshall Thomas and Christian Keyes, who plays Robin (previously played by Todd Williams), Lola Carmichael's husband who has stepped away from the FBI to become a full-time dad. Ensemble cast members returning for the new season include Wilson Bethel as Deputy District Attorney Mark Callan, a long-time friend of Lola's; Jessica Camacho as public defender Emily Lopez; J. Alex Brinson as bailiff-turned-lawyer Luke Watkins; Ruthie Ann Miles as Lola's assistant Sherri Kansky; Lindsay Mendez as former court reporter Sara Castillo; and Lindsey Gort as private defense attorney Amy Quinn. Recurring cast also includes Samantha Marie Ware as law clerk Vanessa "Ness" Johnson, Emmy winner Paul McCrane as Judge Laski, and Suzanne Cryer as Deputy District Attorney Maggie Palmer. Marg Helgenberger also returns in a recurring role as Supervising Judge Lisa Benner, who shakes up the courthouse with news of a new judge joining the ranks. Additionally, star Wilson Bethel makes his directorial debut on an upcoming episode of ALL RISE slated to air this summer. Bethel joins fellow actor Paul McCrane in stepping behind the lens, as McCrane again directs an episode following the previous four he helmed in prior seasons. After a 13-month break, ALL RISE returned with the first of the final 10 new episodes on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. In the mid-season debut, "Unwanted Guest," Ness is in the ICU, Amy and Mark take a step forward, and Mark and Luke are on opposite sides of a high-profile case. Plus, Emily returns to the Public Defender's office, Robin and Lola's relationship is strained, and Sherri gets an unexpected visit.
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On Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network premiered "Sometimes Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction," the series finale of ALL RISE. Emily represents a client charged with murder, and a new presiding judge is announced. Also, Mark's father makes a difficult decision to protect himself and his family. Later, Mark and Amy celebrate their wedding.