The Prisoner at the Bar: Sidelights on the Administration of Criminal Justice

Delve into the inner workings of the criminal‑justice system with this clear‑sighted guide that follows a case from the moment of arrest through the courtroom drama of trial and sentencing. Drawing on the author’s eight years as a New York prosecutor, the book demystifies every step—police investigation, grand‑jury proceedings, bail, and the role of juries—while weaving in compelling anecdotes that illustrate how ordinary citizens often misunderstand the process.

Beyond the procedural overview, the text tackles hot‑button topics such as the treatment of insanity pleas and the statistical trends that reveal growing efficiency in New York’s courts. Thoughtfully indexed and cross‑referenced, it serves both students and curious listeners who want a realistic portrait of how a suspect becomes a convicted prisoner, without the sensationalism of newspaper headlines.