Heidi Russell is the new trial division chief, replacing Lorraine Maxwell.
History[]
At an NYPD meeting about an emerging serial rapist, Russell interrupts the meeting and introduces herself to the squad. Russell then becomes impatient about the information she is receiving about the rapist. After the squad manages to arrest Billy Hedges, Russell becomes proud of the detectives work in catching their suspect, but ADA Carisi tells her not to get her hopes up. After another woman is raped, Russell appears at the crime scene, which Captain Benson is surprised of. Russell believes that there is a copycat out there and gives Benson a ridiculous theory before Benson explains a better one. Russell is then interviewed by reporters and explains that the SVU squad is the best that she has ever worked with. (SVU: "Duty to Hope")