Have Gavel, Will Travel: A National Park Judge Reflects on Truth, Justice, and Why Every Juror Deserves a Donut

by Robert Braithwaite

With a jurisdiction covering southern Utah’s national parks and wide-open wilderness areas, you might think Judge Robert Braithwaite’s only cases were between crickets and tumbleweeds.

Not even close.

Over a twenty-seven year judicial career, he’s seen bighorn sheep poachers in ultralight planes, canoodling nudes, duck killers—and each case got weirder the more he learned. Join Judge Braithwaite as he recollects these stranger-than-fiction stories and takes you inside the real legal process.

Poignant, quirky, and full of life, this book includes cases that were decided in state-of-the-art courtrooms, a Quonset hut in Big Water, and—when occasion called for it—in the judge’s front yard. Entertaining and eye-opening, this is one book you’ll have to read to believe.

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2015

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous insights into the life of a Utah judge. Loved the glossary of legal terms and the author's spot-on commentary. The stats on meth labs and pot farms in national parks/forests was quite eye-opening. Overall, just a brief fun read!

[Tess Ailshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is not that unusual - a memoir that includes not-that-unusual stories from a man charged with passing judgement on human beings. That it's tough, both intellectually and emotionally, is an underlying theme that didn't resonate with me. Of course it's tough. Perhaps I've just heard similar stories from other judges in the past. Tough job. Someone has to do it.

I give it four stars, though, because the quality of the writing is very good. Braithwaite's sense of humor comes through - in fact, I recommended my spouse read, if nothing else, the chapter on legal definitions. Definitely someone who understands the cloaks under which our legal system hides. If you appreciate non-fiction with a lot of humor (a la Tim Cotton of "The Detective in the Dooryard"), you'll love this.

No judge has great faith in his fellow man. At least none I've ever met. Braithwaite doesn't exude contempt - not by a long measure - but does demonstrate an elitist bent. Not bad, but enough for this libertarian, independent being to notice.

[Patricia L .Jex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is entertaining, informative, and insightful all at once. The author shares tales of an unconventional courtroom along with advice on how to handle a jury duty assignment. I laughed out loud at the description of what launching a boat at Lake Powell can do to a marriage. Been there, seen that! There are not only good stories here, but good advice as well. If I ever end up in a courtroom, I would hope for such a judge as this. The donuts are brilliant! It's the little things.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've worked for attorneys for many years now so I was interested to read a book from the perspective of a judge. I liked his writing style--I felt like I had just met him and he was telling me stories. He also doesn't have any airs about who he is and what he does. He lets us in on his secret to keeping an orderly courtroom, his rookie jitters when he was first starting out, how the real courtroom is nothing like Perry Mason episodes, and much more!

I laughed at his first story about Lake Powell and what happens when the husband who's been pulling the trailer with the boat all the way from California suddenly jumps out to guide his (surprised) wife as she attempts to back it into the water. I've been to Lake Powell and was happy to not have to do that at all. He also tells stories about things that happened in the national parks and how to make juries happy. I've only been required to appear for jury service once in my life and it wasn't bad at all. After sizing up the jury pool, the defendant decided a plea was in his best interest so I was done much earlier than I thought I would be. And I thought the judge was very nice. :)

At the end, there's a section titled, "Bonus Material: Real-World Descriptions of Legal Terms." He simplifies the jargon attorneys and judges use in the courtroom and shares more stories. All of the stories he tells are short and there are some that I wish had more detail. He's down-to-earth with a great sense of humor. The only content of note would be a few mild swear words. Overall, this is a fun, entertaining read!

I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.

Mel's Shelves

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have Gavel Will Travel
By Robert Braithwaite

If you'd like to take a look at what the life of a judge or magistrate is truly like you need to read Have Gavel Will Travel. Covering a variety of situations that require a judgement, Robert Braithwaite takes you through the legal process. Some cases are heart-breaking while others are completely unbelievable.

I agree with his assessment of Perry Mason, as my sisters and I have recently discovered these reruns. Why would the non-charged guilty individual always come undone at the end of the show, declaring before everyone not only their guilt but how they committed said crime.

I loved the bonus material at the end of the book where real world descriptions of legal terms are given. It is amazing how these terms are archaic in regard to the modern usage of words. And how many people know what a Pro Hac Vice is?

The legal system is explained through various case examples taken from his career. And the falsies of the fictional televised courtrooms are touched on.

If you want to read something that is entertaining and outside of your normal fiction fare take a look at Have Gravel Will Travel. Though I haven't read her books some might be interested to learn that Robert Braithwaite is the father of Ally Condie (New York Times best-selling author of several YA books), whom is referenced a few times in the book as just Ally.

I was provided a digital PDF ARC file of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS

I enjoyed Robert Braithwaite writing style. It is entertaining, a real look into a what a Judge does and feels. I wanted to read more. I did not want to put the book down. Easy to get into the story right away.

He talks about his different cases from poachers in are National Parks, divorce cases, to murder cases and other criminal cases. How he feels about certain cases. That he was trying to make the right decisions.

He also shared what he likes to do with his grandchildren. Like take his one grandson to Dinosaur National Monument or play in sand pile with his other one.

I would read more by Robert Braithwaite in the future.

I was given this ebook to read by Cedar Fort Publishing. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Have Gavel Will Travel and be part of its blog tour.

[Chris Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Denver native who practices law in Atlanta, I enjoyed the tales told by Robert Braithwaite from his truly Mountain West perspective. This short memoir of a federal magistrate was a quick read and it had good humor, though I can't say I came away with many new lessons learned. I did like the section about the pot-growing operations that have invaded our nation's public spaces, and the down-to-earth stories about using the judicial bench to convict the guilty, free the innocent and place the kids in the right home. It's not an easy task, and Judge Braithwaite tells it like it is here.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, insightful, humorous. It even restored some of my faith back in the judiciary branch. Braithwaite's voice is pleasant and flows easily. He takes us into the courtroom and shares why things are done the way they are, and why that is important. He peppers his text with a few flashbacks into his youth (In some ways the Great Brain in the mid-20th Century)and the roles he really relishes - that of a grandfather who isn't afraid to play in the sandbox. He also explains things for us common folk who might find ourselves standing bewildered in a courtroom.

I hope this book finds its way into many hands. Who else has ever explained the Sergeant Schultz defense to us commoners?

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Braithwaite, a magistrate judge, uses humor and a great story telling ability to relate his true feelings and experience as a court Judge. I loved his honesty and humility when telling who he was and who he saw himself as. It was fascinating to get the insiders perspective of what happens in courts.

The book flowed very quickly and felt was honest and real. He didn't feel like he was trying to make himself seem superior to anyway, yet yelp impress the importance of honest, competent judges. I don't often read autobiographies or even much non-fiction, but I did really enjoy this book. He is a great story-teller.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the author's sense of humor. There weren't enough stories from the courtroom or the national parks. When it is safe legally and otherwise for the good judge to tell these stories, I hope he will do so.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read by a local judge . Enjoyed the local color and insights

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective from an experienced judge. His personality comes through in this book and makes all of his stories and experiences entertaining and full of great information.

[Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A folksy memoir of a Southern Utah Magistrate. I would have preferred more case examples and a little less folksiness. Slim volume

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it were longer. This was a delightful read, and an excellent palate cleanser!

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A easy read with humor and wit by the author. It was traveling down memory lane with events and places from my home town.