Objection!: How High-Priced Defense Attorneys, Celebrity Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have Hijacked Our Criminal Justice System

by Nancy Grace

Court TV host Nancy Grace presents her case in this behind-the-scenes look at the high-profile cases everyone is talking about ancy Grace is a name millions of Americans recognize from her regular appearances on Court TV and Larry King Live. Legions of loyal fans tune in for her opinions on today's high-profile cases and her expert commentary on the challenges facing the American judicial system. Now, in Objection!, she makes her case for what's wrong with the legal system and what can be done about it.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, History, Biography, Law, Memoir, Legal

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2004

About the author

Nancy Grace is an American legal commentator and former prosecutor. She frequently discusses issues from what she describes as a "victims' rights" standpoint. She was the host of Nancy Grace from 2005 to 2016 on HLN, and she was the host of Court TV's Closing Arguments from 1996–2007.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

My new obsession is reading books that You’re Wrong About covers in their podcast. Nancy Grace is...something.

[Channelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I was in law school, I would try so hard to watch Nancy Grace. I really wanted to like her, but the fact of the matter is she's rude, obnoxious, and an absolutely terrible writer. Since I was trying to like Nancy Grace, I bought this book, I wanted to give her another chance. Sadly for her, she failed miserably. This book is terribly organized and repetitive. Although she divides the book into chapters, she has subheadings every couple pages and it really just doesn't make sense. Too many divisions with no correlation. Also, she takes about the same cases over and over and over. And I'm sick and tired of her guilty until proven innocent attitude. She claims that she is open minded, but even after a not guilty verdict is rendered by a jury, she complains about how the justice system doesn't work. If it's a guilty verdict, she praises the system for working. Does that seem off to anyone else? Does she not understand our Constitution. Well, one thing is for sure...she does not understand how to write an interesting book and I will never watch her show or read anything written by her again.

[Daphne Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book off & on. I love Nancy Grace but she's quite a pill! I can only take her in small doses.

[Jacky · Rating 1 out of 5]

An alternate title for this book could just be "Citation Needed" or "Nancy Grace thinks the entire justice system should be harsher because of things that happen in only 0.01% of cases mostly involving rich people or celebrities" or "Nancy Grace starts to make a salient point and then swan dives directly into right-wing bullshit"

[Tanya Urrutia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject manner seems interesting - tackle the crimes we've seen on TV from the prosecutor's perspective. Unfortunately, the book suffers from three major drawbacks:

(a) It has a very disjointed writing style. While I get that you would rather tackle the subjects "victim blaming", "trial profiteering", etc. as chapters, jumping back and forth between this high profile trial and that trial, makes it really hard to feel invested in any of the actual cases

(b) Her solutions are horrifying - admit polygraphs, track your children via GPS, etc. Now this may be just some clueless European speaking her, but America's fear for their children has taken on irrational behavior, because of a few high profile cases. Reading this book, you would think there is an epidemic of rapes, kidnappings and murder of children happening - it's not!

(c) Victim blaming is bad, I agree. But how about attacking the presumption of innocence. Attacking the defense team of the central park 5 in hindsight doesn't seem very smart. Attacking people making money out of high profile cases, when she worked for Court TV! Lastly, this is just personal, but I don't believe in the death penalty, so her continuous hailing it as the solution was sad. Never was redemption ever on the table for her.

I was ready to be swayed, but unfortunately Nancy Grace could not convince me with her objections! Dismissed! :/

[Quanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Court Up Close and Personal

Ever sassy and in your face, Grace gives you a behind the scenes look at the justice system. It's not always just. She argues her points very well. The book is a little dated, Court TV and Larry King Live are no longer on air, but it's still a " good read".

[Susan Schmok · Rating 1 out of 5]

did not finish

[Roberta Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't care for her but this was a good book

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy's history as a prosecuter and T.V. personality, and how she would fix the judicial system.

[Zachariah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Third book. Nancy needs help especially with her terrible examples.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The subtitle should be “never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”

[Asia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a writer - terrible. Book is disorganized and repetitive.

HOWEVER...

I hated Nancy Grace without even knowing much about her. My knowledge of her persona was limited to the fact that anytime her face would appear on the screen during my CNN time it was time to switch channels. Her obnoxious and rude personality visible, in what she called TV "arguments" (although it is mostly Nancy screaming and someone else keeping their composure trying hard not to laugh) were overbearingly annoying.

This book helped me understand a bit more and my EXTREME annoyance turned to sympathy and understanding.

If not anything else, she has to be given credit for being so passionate about something as to sacrifice so much of herself (in the initial stages of her career - I'm sure she is doing quite well at this point).

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opening read that only made me hate the so called justice system all the more. Before reading this book I was already sickened by the constant barage of defense lawyers on tv trying to play on the public's compassion to make their clients appear like the victims. Not to say there aren't inocent people out there, and many in prison for crimes they did not commit, I am speaking of the countless criminals (cold blooded ones at that) who do not feel a lick of remorse, or feel anything and try for sympathy as if they've been the one's tortured or killed.
Love Nancy or hate her, she certainly calls a lot of people out on the BS they peddle. I love to watch her go to work when these money grubbing defense lawyers skirt around the truth to line their pockets and defend monsters.

[Amy Plitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

You either like Nancy or you don't. I happen to like her a lot. Yes, she gets on my nerves when she won't let people talk and interrupts, etc. But when you know her life story and what she's out there battling for, you've got to admire her. And she has the courage in this book to say what we all think when celebrities are in the news. When they're not convicted in a court of law, watch out, because Nancy will convict them herself! Don't get on her bad side!

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

The interesting fact I learned was Nancy Grace's fiance had been gunned down for his wallet of $35.00. She was 19 at the time. Thus changing her goal in life from studying literature, to become an attorney to prosecute the bad guys. It also explained how our legal system is sometimes white washed. But I found myself doing a lot of fact checking, as sometimes it seemed like the whole picture was not being presented.
So, I can only recommend speed reading thru it.

[Julie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

It definately gave me a new perspective on how the criminal justice system works. Espically how the jury gets the "cleaned up" version, which almost seems like a complete lie with bits & pieces added in to make the criminal "look good".
I've served on a jury before and after reading this book, it definately made sense.

[DAISY READS HORROR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmm I thought I had already reviewed this book, anyways I love Nancy Grace and if your a fan of hers, this book will not dissapoint. Nancy touches many topics in the media and uses great examples to back up her statements. Although I read this a few years ago, I don't recall any story in particular to comment on but I do highly reccomend her books!

[Auntkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm learning alot from this book. Nancy tells about some of the cases she did when she was younger before she had her show and she gives her take on some of the more current high profile cases from a prosecutors pov.

[kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book....if you have money you go free most of the time and if you are poor you do time....proves without a doubt that simpson was guilty but most of us already know this. She is a strong advocate for victims.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

i learned a lot of the reason why Nancy comes off as a b*tch on her show. i agree with her hatred of defense attorneys that try to get murderers off. so if you like nancy then yes you should read this.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few semi interesting chapters in this book but for the most part the entire time I was reading this all I could think was 'I like watching her on tv rather than reading her books.'
Sorry Nancy!

[Rachelia (Bookish Comforts)]

Review from 17 year old me: 5/5. I love Nancy Grace and this was really good. Not only does it address the problems in the legal system, it presents solutions. I've gained even more respect for Nancy Grace.

Note: 25 year old me cannot stand Nancy Grace anymore!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nancy Grace! I think she is fabulous!

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome reading. We used this book during an online college course that I took from the University of Florida and it was awesome thats all I have to say. Its a must read!!!

[Carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining. But, a lot to think about when you are trying to forget about "work".

[Patty Abrams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her opinion of the trial system with reference to famous cases. Well written.

[Carol Reed]

Nancy Grace is a hero to victims everywhere!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy talks about the court system and varies cases she has talked about on her TV show. She's a good writer and I can't wait to read her new book coming out in Aug. of 2009.

[Joy]

I have mixed feelings about Nancy Grace but she is smart and I'm interested in this book. She also wrote a novel recently...

[Joann]

So far it is ok