The Lawyer’s Case
Shreya Sachdev
What is the film about?
The Lawyer’s Case is about a Muslim man named Imraan who suffered a traumatic incident when he was younger. This traumatic incident consisted of his older brother and his parents being murdered during a shooting at the restaurant in which they were dining at. The shooting occurred because an American group didn’t want Muslims living inside the United States of America. Imraan is now a successful lawyer, although he is in debt. When presented with a case in which Imraan knows that the person he’s supposed to be defending is guilty, Imraan must make a decision and choose whether or not he wants to take the case or not. To make matters worse, the person he’s supposed to be defending is accused of fatally shooting a Muslim man in a club and feels no remorse for what he has done as he also does not believe Muslims should be living in the United States of America. This film explores the idea of the difference between the right and the wrong as well as the different morals and principles that are associated in criminal cases. Many criminals nowadays are forced to put aside their personal emotions and feelings concerning a case and just proceed with the case due to their job. There is clearly a heated debate about whether or not this is moral.
Characters:
- Imraan Abdul (The Lawyer)
- John Parker (Person Accused of Crime)
- Luke (Guides Imraan In The Case)
- David (Imraan’s Friend Back In Los Angeles)
- Harry (Imraan’s Friend Back In Los Angeles)
- Maya (Imraan’s Colleague)
- Rahul (Imraan’s father)
- Shahida (Imraan’s mother)
- Ashan (Imraan’s brother)
- Imraan’s Father
- Police Officer 1
- Police Officer 2
- Police Officer 3
- Muslim Couple
- Cashier
- Judge
Setting:
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- New Jersey
Scene 1
*Starts off as a flashback. We see Imraan’s family sitting in a restaurant. Imraan is only six years old and is sitting with his older brother who is fifteen years old and his parents are also there.*
*Imraan is playing with his work and kicking his brother. It is the usual sibling relationship and Imraan’s parents are just casually talking. The setting is 6:00 pm in New York City.*
Ashan: Stop it.
Imraan: Hahahaha
Rahul: Boys, boys. We are in a public place.
*Parents smile*
Imraan: Mama, I need to go to the bathroom.
Ashan: Why don’t you go by yourself?
*Imraan doesn’t say anything*
Shahida: Your brother is right. You be a big boy and go.
Ashaan: He’s obviously too scared.
Imraan: I don’t know where it is.
Shahida: OK. I will go with you.
Ashaan: You’re such a baby, you can’t even go to the bathroom by yourself.
Shahida: Stop teasing him. I went with you until you were ten.
*Entire family laughs*
Imraan: Ok fine. I will go by myself.
*Imraan gets up and pushes his chair in then begins to walk to the bathroom*
Ashaan: *Don’t die*
Scene 2
*We see Imraan is in the bathroom and is looking around nervously. However, he proceeds to pull his pants down. Imraan looks completely fine.*
*All of a sudden, we hear noises and screams coming from inside the restaurant. We hear gunshots and everybody frantically yelling. Terrified, Imraan runs inside the bathroom stall and begins to quietly start weeping. The gunshots and the screams inside do not stop.
*All of a sudden, the gunshots and the screams do stop. Still terrified, Imraan decides to stay inside his bathroom stall and not come out. However, he then begins to hear footsteps coming closer and closer to him. He covers his eyes with his arms and hopes that the footsteps stop leave. All of a sudden, a man breaks into the bathroom stall. It is a police officer. The police officer sees Imraan.
Police Officer: It’s okay, you’re safe now. We’ve got you. *Imraan doesn’t say anything.*
*Police officer holds Imraan’s hand and begins to walk outside with him.*
*Imraan sees all the dead bodies laying inside the restaurant.*
Police Officer: We’ll explain everything that happened back at the office. I’m sorry about your family. It’s going to be okay.
*Imraan is unable to speak*
Scene 3:
*Imraan is sitting at the police station with a police officer.*
Police officer: First of all, do you speak English?
*Imraan doesn’t say anything*
Police officer: There was a gunman at the restaurant. It appears to be as if he simply just ran inside the restaurant and began frantically shooting everywhere. Some people in the restaurant survived but others unfortunately didn’t. I’m afraid to say that your family wasn’t able to make it.
*Imraan begins to cry.*
Police officer: We know that this must be extremely difficult for you but we need to take you to your aunt’s home. Your parents signed a document a while ago stating that if anything should ever happen to them, you and your brother will go and live with your aunt back in Saudi Arabia. Because your brother was unfortunately killed in the shooting as well, you will have to go alone. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you, but I need you to know that all of us are with you. Your parents loved you very much.
*Imraan continues to cry*
Police officer: A woman from child protection services is going to come home with you and pack your things. Tomorrow morning, she and I will both take you to Saudi Arabia together.
Scene 4:
*The subtitles are being shown as the plane makes its way from New York City to Saudi Arabia. There is extremely emotional music playing in the background.*
Scene 5
*A caption titled “25 years later” appears on the screen and we see Imraan, now 36, sitting in his office and working. He is typing on his computer.*
*Imraan’s friend, David, enters the scene.*
David: Brother, you’re the only one taking this day so seriously. The boss is sick, let’s grab a quick coffee.
Imraan: I told you, boss here or boss not here, I like to keep busy and continue to do my job.
David: You’ve been so busy that you haven’t even had time to check the new girl out. Just take one glance at least.
*Camera moves to where the new girl is standing. Her name is Maya.*
Imraan: I saw her and you will be happy to know that I have no interest whatsoever. You may have her.
David: Hey, I could’ve had her without you competing against me.
Imraan: *raises his eyebrows* Sure, if that makes you happy, go ahead and believe that. *David scoffs*
David: Alright, please tell me that you’re at least going out tonight.
Imraan: Going out where? *Imraan still staring at his laptop*
David: Dude, don’t you know? We’re all going out to celebrate Harry’s 29th birthday. You’ve gotta come. We’re going to the sickest bar in downtown LA.
Imraan: I-
David: No excuses. You need to come.
Imraan: Okay, I’ll come. But you’re buying my drink.
David: Done!
Imraan: Do we need to get him a gift though?
David: No worries, the gift that I got him will be from the both of us.
Imraan: You’re the best *smiles*
David: You’re right about that, brother. I’ll see you at 8:00pm in front of the Boom Boom bar on the Grove.
Imraan: Sounds good.
*David is about to turn around and leave.*
David: By the way, did you speak to Michael?
Imraan: Michael? No, why?
David: He wanted to see you so make sure to go speak to him. Anyways, see you at 8:00 bro.
Imraan: Yeah man, see you.
*Once David leaves, we see Imraan is staring at Maya. Imraan is tapping his keyboard and then staring at Michael’s office. Imraan gets up and begins walking to Michel’s office. Once he is there, he knocks on the door and walks inside.*
Michael: Imraan, come on in come on in.
Imraan: Sir, I hear you wanted to see me?
Michael: Yes I did, have a seat.
Imraan: Is everything okay?
Michael: Everything is great, Imraan. I have been pleased with your performance for the last couple of months, and the boss is great to have you aboard on the team too.
Imraan: That means so much to me, sir. *Smiling*
Michael: In fact, we’ve been so pleased with you lately that we want you to take care of another case. There was a shooting, just a few hours ago, in a high end club in New Jersey. A man was shot. New Jersey police has arrested the suspect but he pleads not guilty. He’s asked for the best lawyer in the country and your name has been mentioned. What do you say, are you up for it?
Imraan: Yes, sir. Absolutely!
Michael: Excellent, you’ll be flying out to New Jersey tomorrow morning. God knows how long you’ll be there so pack well and have a safe flight.
Imraan: Sounds excellent, sir. Thank you once again.
Michael: Keep the end goal in mind, Imraan. Think about all the money you would make if you won this case. You could be swimming in cash.
Imraan: Of course. *smiling*
Scene 6
*Imraan is at home packing his suitcase. We see Imraan packing many of his usual clothes and shoes inside his suitcase. Then, we see him take a photo of his family and hold it close to his heart. We then begin to see him cry.
Scene 7:
*Imraan is meeting David and his friends from the office at a restaurant to celebrate Harry’s 29th birthday. However, Imraan is late and speeds to the restaurant to apologize for being late. Imraan’s friends see him.*
Harry: Oh well, look who decided to turn up. *All of Imraan’s friends wave.*
Imraan: I’m sorry! I got caught up packing. I leave to New Jersey tomorrow. It’s been ages since I visited the East Coast. But anyways, happy birthday man!
David: Wait, you’re going to be leaving us?
Imraan: Just for a little bit, I don’t actually know when I’ll be back but this case is my big break and I know that if I win it, the reward will be enormous.
Harry: Let’s drink to that. *Glasses clink together*
Imraan: Enough about me, we’re celebrating your 29th birthday. Your last year of freedom until you enter those notorious thirties.
David: Yeah, don’t you miss those though? You’re almost what 55 now right?
*Imraan jokingly splashes his drink on David.*
*Imraan and all his friends are joking and having fun. The camera moves away from the laughter.*
Scene 8:
*Scene 8 starts off at Los Angeles International Airport. Imraan is waiting in line for security when he notices a Muslim couple in front of him being interrogated.*
LA Police Officer: Sir *talking to the Muslim man* I’m going to have to ask you to take each and every item out of your bag.
*Muslim man and woman look at each other extremely confused.*
Muslim man: Why? I don’t understand.
Muslim woman: Just do it, please.
Muslim man: Nobody else is being asked to take out each and every single item from their bag. Why am I specifically the only one?
LA Police Officer: Sir, you will not be allowed on this flight and we will not let you go through until you open up your bag and take out each and every single item.
Muslim man: No, it’s not happening. It is a waste of my time and we are going to miss our flight.
*Imraan is seeing this from a distance and is frowning. Meanwhile, another police officer has stepped in.*
LA Police Officer 2: Is there a problem here?
La Police Officer: This gentleman won’t open his bag and show us what’s inside.
LA Police Officer 2: Alright come on, let’s go. *LA Police Officer 2 and LA Police Officer grab the Muslim man brutally and begin dragging him along the airport. The Muslim woman begins shouting and crying and she is brutally grabbed as well. Imraan is next in line and is shocked by what he has just seen. Regardless of this, he decides to continue in the line. He is next in line.*
Police officer 3: Please take off your shoes sir.
*Imraan takes off his shoes.*
Police officer 3: Thank you sir.
*Imraan notices the police officer watching him in a strange way and two other police officers on the other side are whispering to each other and exchanging looks. Despite this, Imraan continues with the security and finds that everything is fine.*
Scene 9:
*Plane is taking off.*
Scene 10:
*Imraan has reached New Jersey and is now sitting the taxi on the way to his new office. This scene consists of the taxi driver looking at Imraan stangely through the rear-view mirror.*
Scene 11:
*Imraan has reached the law firm and is meeting with the man that will help him take on the new case. A tall man with blonde hair named Luke just walked through the glass doors and is pointing at Imraan*
Luke: Hey! You must be Imraan. Come on inside.
Imraan: Hi yes, that’s me.
*Imraan and Luke shake hands*
Luke: Take a seat, can I get you anything? It must’ve been a long flight. Coffee, water, tea?
Imraan: Oh no, I’m fine don’t worry. Please sit.
Luke: Very well. How was the fight here? Comfortable?
Imraan: It was great, there was a crying baby on the plane but I managed to get through it.
Luke: Hahaha, well I know how that is, I’ve got kids of my own.
*Imraan laughs*
Luke: So, shall we begin talking about the case?
Imraan: Sure.
Luke: So, the shooting occurred yesterday afternoon. A man was fatally shot in Green’s Club, a large club in downtown New Jersey. When people heard the shot, everybody just began to scream and ran away. Because it was so dark and there were so many people there, it’s difficult to pin down exactly who the shooter is. We’ve got over 300 suspects that we’re interrogating right now, but this guy seems to be our main suspect. He’s quite young, aged around 27 and born and raised here in Jersey. He’s got a couple of tattoos on his body and short brown hair. He’s currently unemployed and a team’s about to inspect his house in a couple of hours.
Imraan: Wow. Why this guy specifically though?
Luke: Some people came forward and stated that he was acting strange on the afternoon of the shooting, on top of that they stated that he looked as if he was carrying some sort of strange object under his shirt. It’s honestly possible that he could’ve even accidentally shot it. Despite all of this, we don’t believe he’s the one we’re looking for and we know you’ll handle the case well.
Imraan: I see, well Luke that means a lot to me. Just one question, who was the victim?
Luke: Oh, he’s a middle aged Muslim man. It’s a real shame honestly, he had a family here and everything. He had three younger daughters and was in a happy marriage. *Dramatic music playing*
*Imraan, clearly feeling uncomfortable after hearing that the man that was shot was Muslim, doesn’t say anything and instead just chooses to nod.*
Luke: You’ll be meeting with him at the station tomorrow morning. His name’s John Parker. See you then.
Imraan: See you.
Luke: Just
so you know, even if he is guilty, there really isn’t any evidence to charge him against anything.
*Dramatic music playing*
Scene 11:
*Imraan is in the shower and we see his flashbacks of him as a child. First we see the flashbacks of him playing with his older brother and joking around with him. We then see him and his parents having a good time together. We see very day to day casual family meetings which makes the audience realize how Imraan’s family was just like any other family. We can progress to see the flashbacks of the
Scene 12:
*John Parker is sitting inside the interrogation room and Imraan walks inside it. John and Imraan make eye contact*
John: Hello
*Imraan doesn’t say anything.*
Imraan: Okay, so why don’t you start off by telling me what happened.
John: Wow, straight to the point. I like it. *smiling*
Imraan: Don’t get too cocky.
John: You work for me, remember.
Imraan: That is if I agree to the case, don’t forget.
*John and Imraan stare at each other for a little while*
John: I was just enjoying a night out at the club with my boys. We were hoping to meet a couple of ladies there. Next thing you know, I hear a gunshot. I panic and begin to freak out like everybody else. My boys and I make a run for it. I don’t know why everybody’s suspecting me.
Imraan: So you’re pleading not guilty.
John: Yes.
Imraan: Okay, can you tell me if you have any ownership of guns.
John: Doesn’t everybody?
Imraan: Just answer the question.
John: Yes, I do.
Imraan: Why?
John: Guns are cool.
Imraan: *Sighs* even though there isn’t a lot of evidence to charge you for the death, it’s not going to help if you act this way.
John: You know, if you want me to be honest with you: I don’t even see the big deal. So, a man was shot? He’s not even American. What does this do for the United States? Nothing. Does this impact the world in anyway? Nothing. It’s just one person gone. On top of that, he’s a brownie.
The Lawyer's Case- Would You Defend Someone You Know Is Guilty? Page 1