A former Puerto Rican drug lord named Carlito Brigante is released from prison after his conviction is overturned, and he resolves to go straight and save enough money to escape to the Caribbean with his girlfriend. His efforts at rehabilitation are constantly undermined by his loyalty to old associates, particularly his corrupt and reckless lawyer, Dave Kleinfeld. Despite his best instincts, Carlito is drawn back into dangerous criminal circles, setting him on a collision course with violent consequences he had desperately hoped to avoid.