First appearance of Defense Attorney Danielle Melnick (Tovah Feldshuh ) since she was shot at the end of Open Season (2002).
This episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
- The 2003 assassination of James E. Davis.
- Based on criticism of the FISA Court following the September 11 attacks.
Julian Gamble has played four different roles over the course of the series:
- Episode 6.2 Rebels (1995) - Councilman Jack Rabe.
- Episode 7.2 I.D. (1996) - Judge P. Slattery.
- Episode 8.21 Bad Girl (1998) - Judge P. Slattery.
- Episode 9.18 Juvenile (1999) - Gerald Fox.
- Episode 14.14 City Hall (2004) - Ladder Company 66 Chief.
Sam Coppola (US Federal Judge Vance) previously played the part of a bartender in episode 2.9, Renunciation (1991).