Based on true events during the 2000 election, American Violet tells the astonishing story of Dee Roberts (critically hailed newcomer Nicole Beharie), a 24-year-old African American single mother of four young girls living in a small Texas town, who is barely able to make ends meet and faces a drug charge, and even more stark, the Texas justice system. While police drag Dee from work in handcuffs, dumping her in the squalor of the women’s county prison, the powerful local district attorney (Academy Award nominee Michael O’Keefe) leads an extensive drug bust, sweeping her housing project with military precision. Dee soon discovers she has been charged as a drug dealer.  No prior drug record, no drugs found, she is offered a hellish choice: plead guilty and go home as a convicted felon or remain long in prison. She risks everything in a battle with the system that forever changes her life. American Violet also stars Academy Award nominee Alfre Woodard, Emmy Award winner Charles S. Dutton, Tim Blake Nelson, Will Patton and Xzibit.