A young and unusual judge arrives in Manhattan's night court and begins deciding cases in a most unusual manner, much to the horror of his court clerk and all else in the courtroom.

Harry (Harry Anderson), the wacky night court judge, meets more than his match in a Santa Claus (JEFF COREY) who swears he's just winding down from Christmas and a teenaged shoplifter (MICHAEL J. FOX) who hopes to grow up as a 20th century Attila the Hun.

A man (JOEY ARESCO) is brought before Harry (HARRY ANDERSON) for disorderly conduct after learning his bride-to-be (JUDY LANDERS) was once a nude centerfold in a men's magazine. Simultaneously, a reporter (TERRY KISER) threatens to expose Harry's criminal past, thereby ruining his career.

An elderly lonely woman (JANIS PAIGE) surprises Judge Harry Stone (HARRY ANDERSON) when she claims to be his long-lost mother; and a bevy of international beauties are duped by a sleazy beauty pageant promoter (PAUL KREPPEL).

The night court staff tries to boost the spirits of burly bailiff Bull Shannon (RICHARD MOLL), who signs up as a volunteer father, then learns he's been rejected because the organization believes his size and appearance would frighten children.

The life of Judge Harry Stone (HARRY ANDERSON) seems doomed when a cryptic death threat, wrapped around a rock, comes flying through the window, causing, pandemonium in the courtroom.