Dr. Bria Gaines waits anxiously outside her medical office in Union Springs, Alabama, just after midnight. An old Toyota arrives with only two people instead of the expected three: Cocheta Bass, a nurse practitioner at the middle school, and a girl in a hoodie. Inside the locked office, Bria recognizes the girl as 13-year-old Nova Jones from Victory Baptist Church. She understands that she’s about to commit a felony under the Alabama Human Life Protection Act.

The pregnant Nova is desperate for Bria’s help and insists that her mother cannot know, fearing she’ll be thrown out of the house. Cocheta warns that Nova has threatened to attempt a self-induced abortion with a coat hanger if Bria refuses. Both women know that they should report the situation under mandated reporter laws, but Cocheta argues that reporting would force Nova to carry to term. When Nova emerges from the exam room and pleads for help, Bria decides to proceed.

Judge Mary Stone wakes early Monday morning on her family farm, dreading a life-or-death sentencing decision she must make. She tends to her pregnant mare, feeds her cattle, and mucks out the horse stall before showering and heading to the courthouse.