“There are penalties for not telling the truth in a court of law,” Judge Martha Schulman (Viola Davis) warns in a trailer for Lifetime’s “Custody.” It sounds like the Judge is making a threat, but given the circumstances, her attitude is understandable. She’s presiding over a case involving alleged child abuse, and a young boy’s safety may be at stake.

“‘Custody’ revolves around three women brought together when hard-working single mother, Sara Diaz (Catalina Sandino Moreno, ‘Maria Full of Grace’), has her children taken from her after she is suspected of injuring her son,” the TV movie’s official synopsis reads. “Ally Fisher (Hayden Panettiere, ‘Nashville’) a recent law school graduate, is assigned to represent her case before Judge Martha Schulman (Davis), a veteran of the Family Court System.”

“Don’t lose your cool, OK? The Judge is starting to turn on you,” Ally tells Sara in the emotionally-charged trailer. And while the Judge claims that “the court doesn’t like to take children away from their parents,” it looks like Sara may be so panicked that she decides to take matters into her own hands.

In addition to starring in “Custody,” recent Oscar winner Davis executive produced the project. The “How to Get Away with Murder” actress took home an Academy Award on Sunday for her role in “Fences.” “I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life,” Davis, who made history as the first black actress to receive three Oscar nominations, said in her acceptance speech.

Written and directed by James Lapine (“Into the Woods”), “Custody” will premiere on Lifetime Saturday, March 4 at 8pm ET/PT.