Bart fantasizes about riding on a raft with Huckleberry Finn. This is no accident, as the plot borrows heavily from Tom Sawyer. The night after he skips school, Tom and Huck sneak into a graveyard and witness a murder. The town accuses the drunk Muff Potter, but Tom is racked with guilt, knowing it was actually Injun Joe. Similarly, Bart skips school and witnesses the waiter's injury, later feeling guilty for not coming forward when Freddie Quimby is wrongfully accused.
When Bart is fleeing from Skinner, a shot of Bart running down a hill from the season four episode Kamp Krusty (1992) was re-used.
During the trial, Bart quips "the system works. Just ask Claus von Bulow". This is a reference to the British socialite who was accused of attempted murder, but was acquitted after two trials.
The storyline parallels the real life of William Kennedy Smith who was accused of rape at a party he attended with his uncle Ted Kennedy.
Freddie Quimby simulates William Kennedy Smith and Mayor Quimby represents Ted Kennedy.
Matt Groening can be seen in the courtroom scene, drawing sketches of the defendant and signing them with his name.