In the wealthy, seaside community of Neptune, the rich and powerful make the rules. They own the town and the high school, and they desperately try to keep their dirty little secrets just that...secret. Unfortunately for them, there's Veronica Mars (series star KRISTEN BELL), a smart, fearless 17-year-old apprentice private investigator dedicated to solving the town's toughest mysteries. Veronica actually used to be one of the popular girls, walking the halls of Neptune High with the rest of the "beautiful people." But it all came crumbling down around her after her best friend, Lilly, was murdered, and her then sheriff father, Keith (series star ENRICO COLANTONI), was removed from office for naming Lilly's billionaire father, Jake Kane, as the lead suspect. After Jake was exonerated, the scandal cost Keith his job, his home and his wife, and Veronica was ostracized by her friends, including her boyfriend, Duncan (series star TEDDY DUNN), Lilly's brother.

Veronica and Wallace don't believe in the evidence against Weevil, who has been arrested for stealing credit card applications from Logan's family, and launch an investigation to help their new ally. Meanwhile, after joining Ms. Mallory Dent's (series star SYDNEY TAMIIA POITIER) journalism class, Veronica clashes with socialite Caitlin Ford (PARIS HILTON - The Simple Life 2 ), Logan's sexy new girlfriend. The young investigator is intrigued by the attention shown to her by another wealthy student, Troy Vandegraff (recurring guest star AARON ASHMORE), a friend of her ex-boyfriend Duncan. Later, Veronica learns that Lilly got a ticket while driving her car on the day she died--two hours after her supposed time of death.

With only a commonplace name, an old address and dim memories as leads, Veronica and Wallace attempt to help classmate Justin Smith (BOBBY EDNER) find his father, who disappeared 10 years earlier. Meanwhile, as Veronica experiences some complicated feelings towards ex-boyfriend Duncan and new romantic interest Troy (recurring guest star AARON ASHMORE), guidance counselor Rebecca James (PAULA MARSHALL) calls Keith to the school to discuss the recent, dramatic changes in his daughter's life. Later, Duncan struggles with ways to cope with his sister's death as the anniversary of her murder approaches.

In an effort to help Wallace's new friend, Georgia (KYLA PRATT), who was duped out of her money in an Internet scheme, Veronica must outwit a group of computer, thugs, known as the Silicon Mafia. Meanwhile, Keith makes Veronica introduce him to her new boyfriend, Troy (recurring guest star AARON ASHMORE), before allowing her to go to the homecoming dance with him. Later, Logan helps Duncan edit together a memorial video for a school dedication ceremony marking the one-year anniversary of Lilly's death.

Veronica tries to help her new boyfriend, Troy (recurring guest star AARON ASHMORE), find his father's stolen car and turns to Weevil for assistance. But the situation becomes dangerous when she discovers that Logan and Troy's buddy might have left more than a piñata in the car after their night in Tijuana. While Keith has accepted that his wife is gone and begins dating school guidance counselor Rebecca James (recurring guest star PAULA MARSHALL), Veronica continues to secretly investigate her mother's whereabouts, leading her to stumble on a secret her mom was keeping.

Veronica investigates possible fraud at school in the election of student council president after Duncan wins, defeating a more popular but less affluent student who promised to eliminate the wealthy students' on-campus perquisites. Meanwhile, Logan causes a public relations nightmare for his movie star parents Aaron and Lynn Echolls (recurring guest stars and real-life couple HARRY HAMLIN - L.A. Law, and LISA RINNA - Melrose Place) when footage of him organizing boxing matches between homeless men is posted on the Internet and leaked to the media. Later, Veronica and Keith learn that the man who admitted to murdering Lilly is set to be executed, but a second look at crime scene photographs puts his confession in question.