Tis the season in Paterson, New Jersey: Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are surrounded by holiday cheer. It's even spread to the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization's newest litter of puppies has been dubbed “Santa's Little Yelpers”. Eight puppies are a lot to handle, and Andy is relieved when volunteer Scott Tillman agrees to foster them.
Tillman, a newer volunteer, did time for a crime he swears he didn't commit. When Tillman discovers a key witness against him lied on the stand and there's evidence that never made it to his lawyer, he goes to Andy for advice. After Andy does some digging, he thinks they can have this conviction overturned by Christmas, no problem.
But when the witness is murdered, and the evidence Andy uncovers points to Tillman, things go from bad to worse. Suddenly, it's all elves on deck to make a list and check it twice, so they can prove Tillman is innocent.
