Conviction Machine: Standing Up to Federal Prosecutorial Abuse

by Harvey Silverglate, Sidney Powell

Prosecutors can “indict a ham sandwich,” we hear, and laugh at the absurdity. Yet the joke captures a federal prosecutors wield enormous power over us all. And the federal criminal justice system is so stacked in favor of the government that shocking numbers of innocent people have been sent to prison.

In Conviction Machine , two leading authorities combine their knowledge and experience to describe the problems within the Department of Justice and in the federal courts―and to offer solutions. Both have already published books exposing flaws and abuses in the system. Harvey A. Silverglate, a prominent criminal defense and civil liberties lawyer, showed that every one of us is vulnerable to criminal prosecution in Three Felonies a How the Feds Target the Innocent . Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor in three districts under nine United States attorneys from both political parties and lead counsel in more than 500 federal appeals, witnessed appalling abuses by prosecutors that prompted her to write Licensed to Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice .

Together, Powell and Silverglate shine a light on the defects of the overzealous prosecutors, perjury traps, negligent judges, perverse limits on self-defense, vague and overabundant criminal statutes, insufficient requirements for criminal intent, and no accountability for prosecutors. Most important, they provide a much-needed blueprint for reforming the Department of Justice and the criminal justice system, including actions an average citizen can take to help restore justice.

Genres: Law, Politics, Nonfiction, Crime

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 18, 2020

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regardless of your politics I think you will find great value in this book. Once again, Sidney Powell and now with co-author Harvey A Silverglate, they she helps explain the problem with our legal system. This book is eye-opening and very disturbing at the same time. Everyone who cares about TRUE justice for all should read this book.

[Joseph A Polka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was outstanding and essential to understand what is going on in the news. I did not understand the degree of rot in our Justice system until reading this book. Whatever your politics, I hope we can all agree that justice in our legal system is something that we all can advocate for.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prosecutors can “indict a ham sandwich,” and we all laugh at the absurdity. Yet the joke captures a truth: federal prosecutors wield enormous power over all of us. The federal criminal justice system is so stacked in favor of the government that shocking numbers of innocent people have been sent to prison. Powell (“Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice”) and Silverglate (“Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent”) shine a light on the defects of the system: overzealous prosecutors, perjury traps, negligent judges, vague and overabundant criminal statutes, and no accountability for prosecutors. It’s disturbing to read this exposé of how far America’s criminal justice system has departed from its constitutional moorings. Whether it is bribing snitches, manipulating grand juries, or coercing guilty pleas by threatening to indict a defendant’s family members, there appear to be few lines that law enforcement will not cross in pursuit of the almighty conviction. Police reform? How about our entire criminal justice system.

[Daniel Blount · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey Silverglate teams up with Sidney Powell to write an excellent and thought provoking critique of the US Justice System. The authors provide well thought out reforms that are common sense and should be roundly supported by all. In fact, it's shocking that many of their suggestions aren't current passed legislative law or policy within the DOJ. An excellent follow up to Sidney Powells License to Lie. Easy, and quick to read.

[Kayla Cornett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so fascinating to me. It breaks down how the CIA and FBI often use "unfavorable" tactics to get a conviction on someone. How they use words and manipulation to get what they want.

It also goes into how both parties are helping steer the future of the US in the way that the leaders seem fit versus what everyone else wants.

It is so accurate in a lot of way and it is one of those books that are interesting, but in the most terrifying way.

Not a happy book in any way. lol

[Jeff Rudisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find out what we can do to help curtail the overreaching and quite often vastly unjust conviction machine. What we can do to eliminate lopsided prosecutorial misconduct and false confessions and convictions, and the unfair advantage of the unlimited power of government in locking up way too many citizens through nefarious, unchecked tactics.

[Terrance D Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening!

I have worked in the legal as an expert for the some fifty-five years on the front lines with attorneys, prosecutors, and Judges. I both related and learned more reading this book, especially the behind the scenes.

[John Waldrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen prosecutorial abuse firsthand. I observed a close personal friend suffer through the mindless machinations of an unjust and inappropriate prosecution, conviction, and incarceration. This book rings true. I recommend it without reservation.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize that so many people are forced to plea guilty because they can not afford a trail. And a prosecutor can keep charging you for different things after a trail is over to break you down to accept a plea deal. We have a very corrupt system.

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book but unfortunately the author ended by talking about the audience's head IMO. Sidney went into the text of individual rules/laws and may have thought it was explanatory but that was not the case with me. Perhaps others make more sense of the law than I do? :smile.

[Adam Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Federal abuse,

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors provide insight into the abuse carried out in the federal courts of the United States. An eye-opener!

[Ben Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great write up on the state of our justice system as prosecutors have become more powerful and show less and less integrity with that power.

Hiding exculpatory evidence, overcharging, threatening and coercing witnesses, selective prosecutions all play a part in the downward spiral of our trust and reliance on a fair and impartial justice system.

Sidney Powell is General Mike Flynn’s lawyer and uses his. Add and other to show the off the rails dishonesty of federal prosecutors who use the position for political gain and political payback instead of seeking justice.

Recommended reading to all.