Public Defender Kathy Baker visits the small Florida town of Deep Water to defend a young client being used as a pawn by a politically minded judge. She stumbles onto the town's many peculiarities including a criminally minded backwoods family, an abusive deputy, alligators running rampant, and a crazed environmentalist, all presided over by an eccentric judge, ""Maximum"" Bob Gibbs.

Bob 'borrows' a convict from the prison to serve as his personal gardener, leading to problems when Wanda Grace chooses him to be her first love. Leanne willingly donates her body for Wanda's use. Bob bursts in, leading to a large manhunt and a kidnapped baby.

Kathy represents a man being refused a job as a mermaid. Dirk and Bogart Crowe refuse to return their pet manatee to its rightful owner. Kathy represents her estranged husband Kevin after he's brought before Judge Gibbs for traffic violations. Kevin tries to convince Kathy he's a changed man.

Bob falls for a born-again death row inmate. After 'Old Sparky' blows a fuse, Bob works with Kathy to find a way to let the prisoner, Angelyne, off the hook. Meanwhile, Inez Crowe comes to work as Leanne's personal aide.

Judge Gibbs' gubernatorial campaign is temporarily derailed by allegations of sexual assault levelled by a former intern. Elvin Crowe and Sheriff Gary hunt down Sonny and another convict after the two break out of prison.