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Trial: The Inside Story
Reading Story of a Trial is like simultaneously watching a court case on TV and hearing the inner thoughts of the participants.
"This case is going to take you on a journey into an underground world." --Prosecutor Leemie Kahng
"The burden of proof is always on the prosecution." --Defense Attorney Glen Garber
Over one third of high school students don't know basic civics. Here is an exciting way to teach them America's system of justice. Susan Kuklin, whose nonfiction books for young readers have won many awards, gives readers the inside story of a dynamic contemporary court case and uses exclusive interviews with all the participants to explain what happened.
Kuklin had unparalleled access to the prosecution, the defense, the judge, and even, after the case, the jury in a dramatic case involving a kidnapping ring in New York's Chinatown. First, the prosecution describes a plot in which hard men try to take advantage of defenseless immigrants, beat them and extort thousands of dollars from their impoverished families. Then the defense takes us behind the scenes of the shadowy deals struck in jail where criminals might turn on anyone to bargain for lighter sentences. In intimate interviews, Kuklin learns what motivates the tough Korean-immigrant prosecutor and the die-hard liberal defense attorney and uses every explosive courtroom exchange to clearly explain legal concepts such as hearsay evidence, leading witnesses, presumption of innocence and admissability of evidence. With every twist and turn of the judge's rulings, readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering who will win the case while simultaneously becoming their own legal experts.
This engaging story of the law at work provides a hands-on way to learn about our courts and laws for young readers who stage mock trials at school or watch cases on TV.
"This case is going to take you on a journey into an underground world." --Prosecutor Leemie Kahng
"The burden of proof is always on the prosecution." --Defense Attorney Glen Garber
Over one third of high school students don't know basic civics. Here is an exciting way to teach them America's system of justice. Susan Kuklin, whose nonfiction books for young readers have won many awards, gives readers the inside story of a dynamic contemporary court case and uses exclusive interviews with all the participants to explain what happened.
Kuklin had unparalleled access to the prosecution, the defense, the judge, and even, after the case, the jury in a dramatic case involving a kidnapping ring in New York's Chinatown. First, the prosecution describes a plot in which hard men try to take advantage of defenseless immigrants, beat them and extort thousands of dollars from their impoverished families. Then the defense takes us behind the scenes of the shadowy deals struck in jail where criminals might turn on anyone to bargain for lighter sentences. In intimate interviews, Kuklin learns what motivates the tough Korean-immigrant prosecutor and the die-hard liberal defense attorney and uses every explosive courtroom exchange to clearly explain legal concepts such as hearsay evidence, leading witnesses, presumption of innocence and admissability of evidence. With every twist and turn of the judge's rulings, readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering who will win the case while simultaneously becoming their own legal experts.
This engaging story of the law at work provides a hands-on way to learn about our courts and laws for young readers who stage mock trials at school or watch cases on TV.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 2001
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 23, 2023
This was a great book in teaching the reader about court cases and how they work. It did get dry at points but at other points it really grabbed you. I was glad it was a middle grade/YA because it was shorter. For any students who want to become a lawyer, I highly recommend this book.
March 3, 2024
This book is perfect for someone just learning about the law and how criminal court hearings proceed. I personally could not keep reading it, due to the similarity of the names (of victims and defendant) and my experience in a courthouse setting, made for a very boring/repetitive read.
March 25, 2025
I agree with the jury’s verdict in this case. I overall loved this book, it taught me many things about the court process. I would recommend it to anyone studying criminal justice!
October 6, 2014
This book is a really intresting book. It takes place in a courtroom and is in 3rd person omnicent. The trial was about a kiddnapping that took place in the late 1990's. Recently after the dailo's (gang leader) younger brother is smuggled into America from China along with Wang Dong they owe the Snakeheads money. To pay the money back they kidnap for ransom.
The few issues I had with the book were it was hard to understand what was happening. The other issue I had was it should of contained Joe's point of view. Otherwise I have no other issue.
I recommend this book for people who want to understand the way court works. It was nice to read and I enjoyed it after learning alot.It was vert well written
The few issues I had with the book were it was hard to understand what was happening. The other issue I had was it should of contained Joe's point of view. Otherwise I have no other issue.
I recommend this book for people who want to understand the way court works. It was nice to read and I enjoyed it after learning alot.It was vert well written
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews