시즌 17, 에피소드 1: When a cop is murdered in a failed burglary attempt, Detectives Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Nina Cassady (new series regular Milena Govich, "Conviction") are led to a "stalkerazzi" photographer (guest star Khan Baykal as Gary Blanchard) hot on the trail of tabloid sensation Sky Sweet (guest star Barbara King), and her estranged husband "J-Train" Smolka (guest star Wayne Wilcox). Confident the burglary and subsequent murder is connected to incriminating photos of Sweet, the case goes to court and A.D.A. Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and new A.D.A. Consuela "Connie" Rubirosa (new series regular Alana De La Garza "CSI: Miami") find themselves in the media spotlight as they argue the use of "The Shield Law" to protect celebrity journalism. S. Epatha Merkerson and Fred Dalton Thompson also star.