Trial and Error 1997

Charlie is sent to Paradise Bluff to request a continuance

Charlie Tuttle, newly made partner at Whitfield and Morris, is sent by his boss to Paradise Bluff, Nevada, to request a continuance in a mail fraud case involving a cousin-in-law. The trip creates tension because it clashes with Charlie's upcoming bachelor party. The assignment sets the stage for the misadventures to come.

Richard Rietti greets Charlie in Paradise Bluff

Charlie's best man, Richard Rietti, unexpectedly meets him in Paradise Bluff and is determined to give his friend one unforgettable pre-wedding celebration. He plans to show Charlie a great time before the wedding. The arrival marks the beginning of the chaotic sequence of events.

Bar celebration ends with a knock-out in a bar fight

During the bachelor party, Charlie is knocked out in a bar fight. The incident leaves him with pain that will affect the next day. He is prescribed painkillers to manage the aftermath.

Morning after: Charlie's pills and unfitness for court

The next day, Richard discovers Charlie has taken all of the prescribed pills and is in no shape to attend the court appearance. Charlie was meant to be legal counsel for Benny Gibbs, the con artist, so Richard improvises as his stand-in. The situation forces them to improvise under the threat of prison for fraud upon the court.

Richard impersonates Charlie in court

With Charlie incapacitated, Richard impersonates him in the courtroom to keep the trial moving. They must maintain the ruse to avoid prison for both of them. The stakes are high as the case proceeds with an apparent defense strategy.

Charlie coaches Richard on the rules of evidence

Charlie coaches Richard as his supposed assistant, guiding him through the rules of evidence. They rely on flash cards to tell Richard which objections to use. The improvised plan shows how far they will go to win the case.

A temper tantrum ends with Charlie banned from reentering the courthouse

Charlie loses his temper and screams at Judge Paul Graff when Richard disobeys and expands the defense beyond Charlie's plan. As a result, Charlie is banned from reentering the courthouse. The ruling complicates the ongoing ruse.

They devise a covert communication system for objections

To keep the performance going, they devise a communication system using a baby monitor and Morse-code horn from Charlie's car that can be heard through an open window. This lets Richard know which objection to use in real time. The improvised method sustains their shared deception.

Charlie meets Billie Tyler and falls in love

Charlie meets waitress Billie Tyler and feels a genuine connection. This romance makes him rethink his upcoming wedding to Tiffany and challenges his priorities. The love interest becomes a catalyst for personal change.

Charlie reevaluates his engagement to Tiffany

The bond with Billie leads Charlie to reconsider the engagement with Tiffany, the self-absorbed fiancée. He begins prioritizing his own happiness and truth over appearances. The story moves toward a personal turning point.

Richard grows involved with prosecutor Elizabeth

As the trial progresses, Richard becomes involved with the prosecutor Elizabeth. This relationship adds tension and raises questions of due process and integrity within the case. It also complicates the duo's plan to help 'their client'.