April 10 (2018-04-10) – June 12, 2018 (2018-06-12)
In Contempt is a television show on BET created by Terri Kopp and starring Erica Ash. BET ordered 10 episodes straight-to-series. The series explores injustice in the American legal system.[4] The series premiered on April 10, 2018.[5] In September 2019, the series was canceled by BET after one season.[6]
Plot
The procedurals is in the fast-paced world of a legal aid office in New York City and follows Gwen Sullivan (Erica Ash), an opinionated attorney whose passion for her job and clients make her arguably the most talented public defender in her district.
A female defense attorney defends a client accused of attempted rape after the attorney was handcuffed in court for brawling. One of the group's male attorneys supervises a rookie female associate. A court judge, the married lover of a female defense attorney, denies bail to her client. This causes frustration to grow for her.
After a fatal gang bus shooting, Gwen must defend a 14 year old, while also reconnecting with her former law professor and secret crush, Bennett. Vanessa, under Charlie's wing, goes through public defender boot camp.
In the aftermath of finding out that Bennett is engaged, Gwen defends a Frotteurist. Charlie wins an unwinnable stash and cash drug case but gets arrested.
Gwen and Tracy struggle to deal with events from their past when they defend a mother accused of child abuse. Charlie deals with the aftermath of his unfair arrest.
Gwen uses an extra-judicial strategy to outwit an overzealous judge. Bennett invites Gwen to his wedding shower, where she discovers Bennett's true feelings about her.
Still fiery from his own run-in with racial profiling, Charlie and Vanessa try a stop and frisk case. Bennett takes Gwen on a get away to determine the next steps in their relationship.
Gwen's commitment is put to the test when she defends a man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire. Meanwhile, Bennett learns to cope with Gwen's work-first mentality when she moves into his condo.
In a case that closely mirrors Eric Garner's, Gwen, Charlie and Tracy defend a young Black man who, in the course of being arrested, inadvertently kills a cop.
Gwen's defense of a young Black man who killed a police officer in self-defense continues, and she is forced to come up with an unorthodox theory in order to win.
Production
In Contempt is being written by Terri Kopp[18] and produced in Canada.[2] On September 25, 2019, BET officially canceled the series after one season.