Never afraid to question the establishment - despite threats to his future and to his loved ones - Judge John Deed returns for a fourth season on the bench. Menace and intimidation fill Deed's court when three young men are charged with shooting a gang member and a main witness in the case is killed in a hit and run. When Deed has an affair with a plaintiff, his fellow judges turn against him and exile him to Warwick. Jo Mills is threatened in a high stakes trial over government bribes and Deed returns determined to protect her and continue the trial. Further risking his position, Deed pursues a case that contends a Home Secretary accepted a bribe on a defense contract.