Laura Lee is deeply committed to Mrs. Clairborne, and this dedication compels her to protect her employer's possessions, even if it means facing a violent adversary. When Beasley attempts to take away the furniture, Laura Lee steps in to defend it. Despite being hit and kicked by him, she succeeds in stopping him. Her unwavering loyalty ensures that Beasley does not take Mrs. Clairborne’s treasured items without a fight.

Laura Lee’s account of her long-standing relationship with Mrs. Clairborne is moving for both the readers and the jury. Their connection began at Mrs. Clairborne’s birth and only strengthened over the years. Unable to envision life without Mrs. Clairborne, Laura Lee convinces her husband, Tom, to move with the family. Her devotion has two dimensions: a deep love for Mrs. Clairborne and a desire to continue caring for her. She expresses this familial affection by saying, “I love her so hard, and I reckon I can’t help myself.”

Mrs. Clairborne, in return, is equally loyal to Laura Lee. She continues to employ her, ensuring her well-being, and places immense trust in her. After Laura Lee becomes a widow, Mrs. Clairborne offers to pay for transporting Tom’s body back to his hometown for burial, a cost Laura Lee cannot afford. In truth, Mrs. Clairborne can't afford it either and must borrow the money until her next dividend check arrives. She uses her most cherished possessions, which she has repeatedly refused to sell due to sentimental value, as collateral. Despite this, to fulfill her promise to her friend to bury her husband in the family cemetery in Georgia, she includes them in her agreement with Beasley. Her friendship holds more value than her prized possessions.

The title "Conscience of the Court" underscores Hurston's examination of justice as both a moral and reliable element in the American legal system. The narrative centers on an apparently lopsided case involving a modest black maid who lacks legal counsel, pitted against a wealthy white man. However, justice ultimately triumphs. At first, it seems that justice is at a disadvantage, as the courtroom audience and the judge perceive Laura Lee as guilty. Hurston describes how, when Laura Lee enters the courtroom, "The hostility in the room reached her without her seeking to find it." As she struggles with the legal proceedings, the judge hesitates before offering help, thinking to himself, "This was the man-killing bear cat of a woman that he had heard so much about." Besides facing negative stereotypes and rumors, Laura Lee is unaware of a secret agreement between the judge and the prosecutor. Yet, when confronted with Laura Lee's clear innocence, the judge recalls his early enthusiasm for justice from his teaching days, reigniting his sense of judicial integrity. When the promissory note becomes a key issue, he insists on examining it, going against the previous arrangement with the prosecutor. Hurston portrays the lawyer’s reaction: "The tall, lean, black-haired prosecutor hurled a surprised and betrayed look at the bench."

Despite facing significant obstacles, Laura Lee prevails. The judge and jury overcome their initial prejudices, realizing that Laura Lee's actions against Beasley were justified, exposing his pettiness and violent character.