For the People: A Story of Justice and Power

by Larry Krasner

Philadelphia’s progressive district attorney offers an inspiring vision of how people can take back power to reform criminal justice, based on lessons from a life’s work as an advocate for the accused.

“Larry Krasner is at the forefront of a movement to disrupt a system. This is a story that needs to be read by millions.”—Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy

Larry Krasner spent thirty years learning about America’s carceral system as a civil rights and criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia, working to get some kind of justice for his clients in a broken system, before deciding that the way to truly transform the system was to get inside of it. So he launched an unlikely campaign to become the district attorney of Philadelphia, a city known for its long line of notorious “tough on crime” DAs who had turned Philly into a city with one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country. Despite long odds and derisive opposition from the police union and other forces of the status quo, Krasner laid out a simple case for radical reform and won the November 2017 general election by a margin of nearly 50 percent.

For the People is not just a story about Krasner’s remarkable early life as a defense lawyer and his innovative grassroots campaign; it’s also a larger exploration of how power and injustice conspired to create a carceral state unprecedented in the world. Readers follow Krasner’s lifelong journey through the streets and courtrooms and election precincts of one American city all the way up to his swearing-in ceremony to see how our system of injustice was built—and how we might dismantle it.

In the tradition of powerful critiques of the criminal justice system, from Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy to Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow, For the People makes the compelling case that transforming criminal justice is the most important civil rights movement of our time and can only be achieved if we’re willing to fight for the power to make a change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Memoir, Social Justice

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2022

About the author

Larry Krasner is currently serving as the twenty-sixth district attorney of Philadelphia. Krasner worked as a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia for thirty years before being elected district attorney in 2017.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author offers readers a blend of political memoir and judicial reform white paper. I’m a huge fan of the man but the book isn’t quite as successful as his judicial reform efforts have been.

[Drick · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2009, I was arrested, along with 11 others, for blocking the entrance of a gun shop known for being a major source of illegal guns used in street crimes. Larry Krasner was our defense lawyer. Little did I know and little did he know that 8 years he would run as an outside candidate for the position of District Attorney of Philadelphia and win against all odds. In this book, Krasner tells the stories that led him to run as a progressive candidate with the goal of changing the way the criminal justice system in Philadelphia operates, and particularly the DA's office. This book is part analysis of the corruption and injustice built into the system, particularly against marginalized populations, part the story of a group of progressives who went from being outsiders to becoming the ones controlling the levers of power, part a short history of progressive movements in Philadelphia, and part the story of a man dedicated to the marginalized and forgotten in our society. While I found this book fascinating because I know Larry, but I think for many others it will be an inspiration that while change can sometimes be slow, it can happen/

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part deep dive into what a DA is responsible for, part Krasner's experience with civil rights litigation. I loved his statement that he was educated as a worker in criminal justice; he never pretends to be an expert or a leader, but rather just someone who is part of the movement. If you're interested in learning about what changes you should push for from your own DA, he gives you solid examples. It is very specific to Philly, but easily can apply to other places. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of reforms that we should be pushing for, some I already knew, but appreciated the reminders. He included stories about volunteers, clients, family members about who has impacted him over his life, and really formed his career and beliefs.

It started a little wordy on specific DA topics, but I blame the fact that he's an attorney ha. Eventually it gets a good groove going, and I really enjoyed it. Not wanting to read the book? Watch the Philly DA docuseries on PBS.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting up close and personal look at a political campaign. It also delves into the theory behind non-violent protest. And also the author’s biography and things that influenced his perspective on criminal justice and reform. I knew the author’s name and some of his platform before reading this book, but I didn’t know very much about the court system. The book was pretty ambitious and covered a lot of ground, and I wish it had been edited a bit more to feel a bit more organized. Some parts were repetitive. One interesting thing that I learned from this book is about the existence of the Brady Rule—which says that in a trial the prosecuting side has a legal obligation to disclose evidence to the defense side which helps their client—even if it weakens the prosecution’s case. It’s based on a case that went to the Supreme Court. I hadn’t heard of this before and didn’t know it was a rule.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after watching the PBS series, "Philly D.A." This is the story of a criminal defense attorney who won election as District Attorney in Philadelphia in 2017. He did this because he is one of the "progressive prosecutors" who is working to end mass incarceration and increase fairness in the U.S. criminal justice system. Quite an inspiring story!

[David R · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the author had just focused on providing a philosophy, a theory, of progressive prosecution, it might have become a timeless manifesto. But the book drowns in petty grievances against people and systems, however flawed, in the Philadelphia political system.

If the book proves anything, it is the age old political dictum: it is much easier to campaign than to govern.

[Nona · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read nothing else, read the Introduction, especially if you live in a large American city, especially if it’s Philadelphia. You’ll understand why criminal justice reform is the most important fight of the 21st century. Perhaps second only to climate change…

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m very glad I read the story of his this progressive lawyer was elected DA of Philadelphia. It is more than that. it is the story of the way “justice” or the justice system works (or doesn’t). It’s clear, interesting, and thoughtful. It could have used some editing

[residentoddball · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite district attorney.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 stars for the work that he does, though.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like I was slogging through the first 1/2 to 2/3, but the last chunk was more my speed. Excited to see more people with hearts like the author's doing good in this world.

[Alexander Thee Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love my DA idgaf!

This book proves Krasner is the real deal and we should be lucky to have him in our city. Krasner sees his position as District Attorney - not as "top cop" - but as a defender of the people. A progressive through and through, he exemplifies everything Philadelphia is about