Just Pursuit

A Black Prosecutor's Fight for Fairness

By: Laura Coates

Narrated by: Laura Coates

This instant New York Times bestseller offers “a firsthand, eye-opening story of a prosecutor that exposes the devastating criminal punishment system” (Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award–winning author of How to Be an Antiracist) in this “compelling collection of engaging, well-written, keenly observed vignettes from [Laura Coates’s] years as a lawyer with the US Department of Justice” (The New York Times Book Review).

When Laura Coates joined the Department of Justice as a prosecutor, she wanted to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. But she quickly realized that even with the best intentions, “the pursuit of justice creates injustice.”

Coates’s experiences show that no matter how fair you try to fight, being Black, a woman, and a mother are identities often at odds in the justice system. She and her colleagues face seemingly impossible situations as they teeter between what is right and what is just.

On the front lines of our legal system, Coates saw how Black communities are policed differently; Black cases are prosecuted differently; Black defendants are judged differently. How the court system seems to be the one place where minorities are overrepresented, an unrelenting parade of Black and Brown defendants in numbers that belie their percentage in the population and overfill American prisons. She also witnessed how others in the system either abused power or were abused by it—for example, when an undocumented witness was arrested by ICE, when a white colleague taught Coates how to unfairly interrogate a young Black defendant, or when a judge victim-blamed a young sexual assault survivor based on her courtroom attire.

Through these “searing, eye-opening” (People) scenes from the courtroom, Laura Coates explores the tension between the idealism of the law and the reality of working within the parameters of our flawed legal system, exposing the chasm between what is right and what is lawful.

Critic reviews

"Laura Coates is author and narrator of this riveting audiobook about her time as a federal prosecutor. She aces both tasks. Coates, now a CNN legal analyst and radio show host, puts a lot of expression into her voice — the listener can hear irony, sarcasm, anger, and humor. Coates was one of the few Black prosecutors in the Washington, DC, U.S. attorney’s office, where most of the defendants also were African–American. Her audiobook is a series of stories about what she saw and did, both professionally and personally, during her four-year stint. The stories make defendants, victims, and their loved ones three-dimensional, relatable characters. Coates never loses sight of the inequities of the system; listeners will see them, too, through this excellent audiobook."

I really liked this book

I was familiar with Laura Coates from her frequent appearances on CNN which is where I found out about her book. I was curious about what being a federal prosecutor entailed. I learned a lot about the system and not all of it good. Laura cares about both the victims and the defendants. Learning the vagaries of the system from the honest perspective of an intelligent Black woman was an education, a sad one. Racism is a dark cloud over every aspect of the justice system in this country and that is sad. Echoes of brutality, prejudice and injustice are ringing out loud and clear from the first 20 Blacks who were forced to come here in 1619 to today. When will it ever end?

Outstanding!

Loved every chapter, the words were like a movie in my head. Thank you

Riveting!!!

This book captured my attention from start to finish! I rarely have time to complete a book in several weeks. However, this book was so captivating that I finished it in two days! Laura, you are one strong and amazing woman and I have even more respect for you after having listened to your experiences. Thank you!

A Must Read (Listen)

I flew through thus audio book. the author has a captivating way with words and story telling that draws you in. I didn't want it to end. I wanted more stories. more insight.

Bravo To Attorney Laura Coates

Bravo,
For making the legal proceedings from arrest to the verdict more palatable. Your stories put some hard truths into perspective that details the discrepancies in the Justice System for people of color or with behavioral health issues. The unfairness is blatantly clear. The for being a “truth teller” and a Justice Fighter, we need more Attorneys like you all over the US