In a small, racially divided town in Mississippi, a ten-year-old African American girl is brutally attacked and left for dead by two white supremacists. The crime stirs up a whirlwind of racial tension and demands for justice. The girl's father, Carl Lee Hailey, takes the law into his own hands by murdering the two assailants at the courthouse, believing the justice system will fail his daughter because of her race. His action places him in immediate peril, facing the death penalty, and sets the stage for a trial that exposes the town's deep-seated racism and challenges the moral compass of the community.

Enter Jake Brigance, a young, idealistic white lawyer who agrees to represent Carl Lee despite knowing the personal and professional risks involved. Alongside his former mentor, Lucien Wilbanks, and an eager law student, Ellen Roark, Jake prepares to defend Carl Lee in a courtroom where prejudices are as much on trial as the accused. The case attracts national attention, escalating tensions further. Jake must navigate a labyrinth of legal and ethical dilemmas, confronting not only the prejudices of others but also examining his own beliefs and values. The trial becomes a catalyst for change, not just in the courtroom but in the hearts and minds of the town's residents, challenging them to look beyond color and seek justice fearlessly.