When a jury frees racketeer Benny Gray, Judge Shaw rebukes the jury and then turns with contempt on Gray's defense attorney, William Fenwick, telling him he is just as much a public enemy as the criminals he defends. Later, Perkett, a department-of-justice agent, informs Fenwick that his brother George, a G-man, has been killed by Selton and his gang of racketeers to prevent George from recovering a half-million dollars in stolen gold bullion. Perkett tells Fenwick that Selton has been captured and tried twice, but that each time a slick attorney helped him beat the rap. The deeply-remorseful Fenwick decides to abandon his unethical practice and aid the justice department in tracking down the slayers of his brother.