The court undeservedly passes a harsh sentence on a young worker Volodya Kharlamov. His girlfriend Valya, whom Volodya once saved from hooligans, and the people's assessor Mitrokhin actively insist on a review of the case. In the end, they are joined by others who knew Kharlamov well, but who were significantly hindered by simple human qualities - fear, selfishness and indifference.