SB’s views at the start of their career on the outcomes of prosecutions, criminal trials and the dispensing of justice have been formed, quite naturally, through newspapers and John Grisham type novels. They find the reality is not, as in every other aspect of existence, black and white, one size fits all. Courts are overwhelmed, police are understaffed and the mitigating circumstances behind criminal acts in a huge, multicultural society make nothing simple. The hardest thing for a defender or a prosecutor to handle would have to be the massive delays between bringing a matter to court and following it through.
The true-to-life, although obviously disguised, cases written about are shocking and sad in equal measure; however, there are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. In the midst of their heart-breaking, back-breaking every day working life, the Secret Barrister is a very funny person who retains a brilliant sense of humour.
This is a wonderfully honest look at a justice system seriously in need of an overhaul but there is always hope as long as there are people like the Secret Barrister keeping watch.
Published by Picador.
No comments:
Post a Comment