Public Defender
(1954-55) "The Public Defender," deals with those attorneys appointed by the state to defend indigents. This time star Reed Hadley canvased the entire nation for intriguing cases. A part of each show was to profile one notable public defender. The series was usually quieter and less violent than “Dragnet,” concerned more with how the law actually works to protect the people and the innocent victims of crime.
Vol. 1:
Circumstantial Evidence
Matthews gets a blind man to identify a killer and save an innocent man. Guest Stars: Clem Bevans, George Cleveland.
Jackpot
When juvenile gangs are organized by a wealthy crook, Matthews enlists the help of a TV commentator. Guest Stars: Hillary Brooke, John Doucette.
Murder Photo
Matthews finds a photo taken with a timer that clears an innocent man and convicts the guilty one. Guest Star: DeForest Kelly.
Color Blind
Matthews defends an innocent man sentenced to prison after being wrongly identified by a witness. Guest: James Lydon.
Vol. 2:
The Do-Gooder
Matthews’ assistant jeopardizes his career when he defends a boy accused of nearly beating a beloved old man to death. Guest Stars: Madge Blake, Paul E. Burns, Emlen Davies, Mary Webster.
Behind Bars
Matthews comes to the defense of a woman accused of murder. With Joan Camden, King Donovan.
Crash Out
A convict is intimidated into a jailbreak by the man who caused him to be sentenced originally. With Mike Mazurki, Anthony Caruso.
The Clown
Matthews helps a boy who commited a crime in order to gain attention from his father. Guest Stars: Robert "Bobby" Ellis, Alan Reed.
Vol. 3:
Another World
Matthews defends a young immigrant who killed the man blackmailing his sister into stealing secrets. Guest Stars: Tony Christian, Jan Merlin, Douglas Kennedy.
Hands Off
Matthews defends a young immigrant woman accused of stealing from her “friendly” employer.
Clifford Pike
Matthews defends a timid man who has confessed to murder by claiming he committed the crimes because the “voices” told him to. Is he faking? Guest Star: Robert Cornthwaite.
The Sapphire Mink
Matthews helps a young woman accused of stealing a $2,000 fur coat. As he investigates, Matthews begins to smell a rat. Guest Stars: Susanne Alexander, Ann Doran.
Vol. 4:
Badge of Honor
A rookie police officer is accused of incompetence and Matthews tries to help him.
Let Justice Be Done
Jim Prentice is forced to put personal feeling aside when he is assigned to defend Tim Conroy, charged with the murder of Sgt. Ken Ropker, a friend of Jim's.
Eight Out of 100
Bart Matthews is called upon to defend Bertha Polaski when she is accused of stealing the jewels of Hans' deceased wife.
His task is made more difficult when the police feel alienated due to a recent speech of Matthews' in Chicago when he quotes statistics that 8 out of 10 cases brought by the police are proven innocent by public defenders nationally.
Behind Bars
Bart Matthews is called in by the warden because he believes there may have been a miscarriage of justice resulting in Ginny Smith (Richardson) serving a life sentence for the murder of her landlady, Mrs. Bassett.
Vol. 5:
Murder Photo
Matthews finds a photo taken with a timer that clears an innocent man and convicts the guilty one. Guest Star: DeForest Kelly.
The Hitch Hiker
Matthews aids a GI accused of hit-and-run driving.
Last Appeal
Matthews has only a few hours to save an innocent man scheduled to be executed.
The Big Race
A jockey refuses to throw a race and is framed on an assault charge.