Ep 18. Careless

In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 5 episode 18 "Careless," the team at the Special Victims Unit investigates the brutal rape and murder of a high school student. The victim, Molly Stratton, is found dead in her bedroom, and the team soon discovers that she was also secretly prostituting herself to her schoolmates. Molly's boyfriend Jake Kimble becomes the prime suspect, but he denies any involvement.

As the detectives continue to investigate, they discover that Molly's father, Paul Stratton, is a wealthy investor with a lot of influence in the community. He is determined to protect his family's reputation at any cost, and he hires a powerful lawyer to defend his son and keep his family's secrets hidden.

The lawyers' attempts to cover up the crime lead the detectives to a corrupt judge who presides over Jake's case. They also uncover evidence of a larger conspiracy involving other prominent members of the community, who are using their power and influence to protect their own interests.

As the detectives close in on the truth, they must confront powerful people who are willing to do anything to keep their secrets hidden. The team faces obstacles at every turn, as they struggle to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In the end, the team's persistence pays off, and they are able to bring the guilty parties to justice. But the cost of their investigation is high, as they have to confront the ugly truth behind the façade of power and privilege in their community. The episode ends on a note of both triumph and tragedy, as the detectives reflect on the impact of their work and the challenges of fighting against the entrenched interests of the wealthy and powerful.