A budget crisis in the state legislature freezes the paychecks of all city employees, including the court staff. Harry faces his own crisis when the law forces him to side with a sleazy landlord against a poor cleaning lady and her unstable son. When the son is shot during an attempted armed robbery, Harry quits.

After quitting, Harry is hanging out at a pool hall across the street from the courthouse. The gang have to talk him into coming back, even as his replacement creates a stir by dying during session.

Hurricane Mel hits New York, trapping the staff inside the courthouse with four women in labor.

Hurricane Mel hits New York, trapping the staff inside the courthouse with four women in labor.

Dan confidently expects to be nominated as a judge, but takes a blow when the committee picks Christine instead. Everyone else is happy for her, until they are told that Harry has been turned down for re-appointment.

Christine tries to convince Harry to fight for his job, but Harry rejects her advice, planning instead to play the ultimate prank, a stunt so outrageous and crazy that it will get the attention of the entire city.

Christine's about to start her first day as a judge but she's preoccupied with finding Harry to tell him that she convinced the Mayor to reappoint him. But he left before she could tell him and is planning some childish prank. And her first session doesn't turn out so well and she freaks out. And they try to keep anyone from finding out Harry's not around but when the Mayor calls Mac has Dan pretend to be Harry. And when someone comes to begin Harry's reappointment and when he sees Dan talking to the Mayor, he assumes Dan is Harry and he wants him to sign something but he can't. Mac says he can do Harry's signature problem is the guy needs to see him sign it.