Conviction Episode 1.01 Pilot

Hayes is battling her own demons as she struggles to find her place in the world. Now commanding Wallace's team at the new Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), she uses her brilliant mind to investigate cases where there is credible suspicion of wrongful convictions. Simultaneously, this gives her the opportunity to turn things around with her high-powered political family. The world of privilege and power that Hayes is accustomed to makes her a perfect adversary to stand up to the system, but her team doesn't share that viewpoint.

The front page cases examined by the CIU are provocative, socially relevant and emotionally charged. With only five days to come to a conclusion on each case, they question if the system failed, if jobs were done properly, if there was the possibility of a cover up, and ultimately if justice was served. This team is the best line of defense to get to the bottom of these complex cases. If anyone can find out the truth, they can.

The diverse members of the team are complicated in their own right, and, like any "family", their explosive dynamics are all on display - the good, the bad and the ugly. Sam Spencer (Shawn Ashmore) struggles to deal with authority when Hayes is put in charge of the CIU - a job that was promised to him. He quickly learns that the legal system is not black and white, and his integrity will be tested. Maxine (Merrin Dungey) is a single mother who comes from a law enforcement family, which is where her loyalty lies, but secrets from her past may interfere with her professional judgment. Tess (Emily Kinney) is haunted by a personal mistake that may have imprisoned an innocent person. Frankie's (Manny Montana) personal life challenges his beliefs and his work at the CIU.

Hayes and Wallace's shared past and competitive nature leads to them clashing both professionally and personally. Hayes has a mistrust of most people, and Wallace's political aspirations only make her double down on her skepticism of her charismatic boss. Away from the office, Hayes does have a true confidant: her brother Jackson. He sees the emotional, vulnerable Hayes that no one else does. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on the future of someone's life.

In the series premiere, Hayes needs to dig herself out of what could be a publicly embarrassing situation. She makes a clandestine deal with her adversary, Conner Wallace, to take on the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) and justice system in order to save face, not only for herself, but for her family. The first case Hayes pushes her team to consider is that of Odell Dwyer, a handsome former high school football player, who has been in prison for eight years for murdering his girlfriend. The CIU only has five days to determine if there was mishandled evidence, an invalid confession or a mistaken witness -- five days to give Wallace the acclaim he wants for the CIU's first case and, perhaps, for Hayes to gain the respect she deserves.