Just Pursuit

A Black Prosecutor's Fight for Fairness

De: Laura Coates

Narrado por: Laura Coates

This instant New York Times bestseller offers “a firsthand, eye-opening story of a prosecutor that exposes the devastating criminal punishment system” (Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award–winning author of How to Be an Antiracist) in this “compelling collection of engaging, well-written, keenly observed vignettes from [Laura Coates’s] years as a lawyer with the US Department of Justice” (The New York Times Book Review).

When Laura Coates joined the Department of Justice as a prosecutor, she wanted to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. But she quickly realized that even with the best intentions, “the pursuit of justice creates injustice.”

Coates’s experiences show that no matter how fair you try to fight, being Black, a woman, and a mother are identities often at odds in the justice system. She and her colleagues face seemingly impossible situations as they teeter between what is right and what is just.

On the front lines of our legal system, Coates saw how Black communities are policed differently; Black cases are prosecuted differently; Black defendants are judged differently. How the court system seems to be the one place where minorities are overrepresented, an unrelenting parade of Black and Brown defendants in numbers that belie their percentage in the population and overfill American prisons. She also witnessed how others in the system either abused power or were abused by it—for example, when an undocumented witness was arrested by ICE, when a white colleague taught Coates how to unfairly interrogate a young Black defendant, or when a judge victim-blamed a young sexual assault survivor based on her courtroom attire.

Through these “searing, eye-opening” (People) scenes from the courtroom, Laura Coates explores the tension between the idealism of the law and the reality of working within the parameters of our flawed legal system, exposing the chasm between what is right and what is lawful.

©2022 Laura Coates. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Laura Coates is author and narrator of this riveting audiobook about her time as a federal prosecutor. She aces both tasks. Coates, now a CNN legal analyst and radio show host, puts a lot of expression into her voice—the listener can hear irony, sarcasm, anger, and humor. Coates was one of the few Black prosecutors in the Washington, DC, U.S. attorney’s office, where most of the defendants also were African-American. Her audiobook is a series of stories about what she saw and did, both professionally and personally, during her four-year stint. The stories make defendants, victims, and their loved ones three-dimensional, relatable characters. Coates never loses sight of the inequities of the system; listeners will see them, too, through this excellent audiobook." (AudioFile Magazine)

A Must Read (Listen)

I flew through thus audio book. the author has a captivating way with words and story telling that draws you in. I didn't want it to end. I wanted more stories. more insight.

Bravo To Attorney Laura Coates

Bravo,
For making the legal proceedings from arrest to the verdict more palatable. Your stories put some hard truths into perspective that details the discrepancies in the Justice System for people of color or with behavioral health issues. The unfairness is blatantly clear. The for being a “truth teller” and a Justice Fighter, we need more Attorneys like you all over the US

I really liked this book

I was familiar with Laura Coates from her frequent appearances on CNN which is where I found out about her book. I was curious about what being a federal prosecutor entailed. I learned a lot about the system and not all of it good. Laura cares about both the victims and the defendants. Learning the vagaries of the system from the honest perspective of an intelligent Black woman was an education, a sad one. Racism is a dark cloud over every aspect of the justice system in this country and that is sad. Echoes of brutality, prejudice and injustice are ringing out loud and clear from the first 20 Blacks who were forced to come here in 1619 to today. When will it ever end?

Outstanding!

Loved every chapter, the words were like a movie in my head. Thank you

Riveting!!!

This book captured my attention from start to finish! I rarely have time to complete a book in several weeks. However, this book was so captivating that I finished it in two days! Laura, you are one strong and amazing woman and I have even more respect for you after having listened to your experiences. Thank you!

Foxy Brown of Criminal Justice...

Incredible book... I was already in love with Laura but now she will have to prosecute me as a stalker. lol. This has got to be on the NY Times Best Seller's list. In this book, she reveals not only her brilliant mind but her deep passion to make a positive difference in the lives of those that traditionally marginalized and unheard. Lucky for us, she rose to her calling to become a prosecutor in an effort to help "balance" and historically imbalanced justice system and this book gives you a "front seat" view of the trials and tribulations of being a trailblazer in a traditionally white dominated field. I'm going to be the first that says this and I hope it catches on...Laura Coates is the Foxy Brown of Criminal Justice. If we could just clone her...

Amazing

I love this book and thank Laura for giving me a better understanding in our Justice System. Great Book

Laura uses savory details to describe everything

I loved Laura as a narrator, with her many voice styles. I loved her vivid recall of minute details throughout the book. She showed her character, inner thoughts and feelings--like what's going on in your head while you do your job. I could truly relate to many of the courtroom experiences as I worked in the same profession as a prosecutor. I love her calling out the reforms that are currently needed in the U.S. system of criminal justice regarding racial prejudice and sexuality.

Truth be told

Loved listening to Laura's accounts and can completely agree with her choice to leave the position of prosecutor. I am happy she saw the hurt and pain our system of punishment put on the lives of those less fortunate, and decided not to be a part of the scam. Well done Laura Coats you are a person I will continue to look at with much respect. prayers for you and you family.

A look behind the curtain! Truly a must read!

One of the decisions that go into my choosing to listen to a book is whether or not the author is narrating. I like to read and listen to the authors passion behind the words.

Just Pursuit is an amazing sharing of Laura’s experiences in the Justice system in her own voice. It touches on every human emotion. You will laugh out loud one moment, be shocked and appalled the next, and at times find yourself an emotional reck.

This book is a candid look behind the curtain. Things we think might be happening in the Justice system with regard to race and gender, are truly happening on a scale impossible to measure. What’s sad in life is that many people don’t even see or realize their own biases even as a judge when you are supposed to be the most impartial.

When I first read that the names of those involved in her experience would be changed, I wasn’t sure the stories would be as powerful. I was wrong. You don’t need to know the name of the female judge who victimized a child rape victim because of what she wore to court. Just knowing there are judges the behave in that way is horrifying. Even though names were not used, it took enormous courage to share these stories, and pain to relive them. I encourage every single person to read Laura’s book.

Laura is 1 African American remake prosecutor. Imagine the number of stories of minorities that go through our Justice system and you may get a taste of just how much reform is needed.

Thank you Laura for sharing and shining a light for us all to see.

It is a terrific book! Look forward to the next one!