{"id":16223,"date":"2020-07-20T16:37:22","date_gmt":"2020-07-20T21:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/themagicalbuffet.com\/blog1\/?p=16223"},"modified":"2020-07-20T16:37:22","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T21:37:22","slug":"the-vanishing-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themagicalbuffet.com\/blog1\/?p=16223","title":{"rendered":"The Vanishing Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you have Netflix? I do, and lately I have been ALL about the courts. I watched \u201cTrial by Media\u201d followed by \u201cHow to Fix a Drug Scandal.\u201d (Both were excellent and eye-opening.) So, my pump was primed when a publicist asked if I was interested in reading \u201cThe Vanishing Trial: The Era of Courtroom Performances & the Perils of its Passing\u201d by Robert Katzberg.<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ At its heart, \u201cThe Vanishing Trial\u201d is about Robert Katzberg\u2019s life and times as a law student, clerk, federal prosecutor, and ultimately, a defense attorney for those accused of white-collar crimes. However, in telling his story, we learn a lot of the nuts and bolts of being an attorney, particularly a defense attorney. A cast of colorful characters populate \u201cThe Vanishing Trial\u201d because we learn that a trial lawyer is not only intelligent, but also a showman. Katzberg\u2019s recollections reveal the strengths, and flaws, in the federal legal system. It is a fast, fun read.<\/p>\n

However, \u201cThe Vanishing Trial\u201d ends with a serious discussion on the diminishing of cases going to trial in the United States. Federal sentencing guidelines can create unreasonable sentences due to a formula outside of a judge\u2019s control. This leads to defense attorneys, regardless of how strong of a case they have, advising their clients to cooperate and\/or accept plea deals for a guaranteed reduced sentence. Pleading guilty can decrease the sentencing as well. While there has been little change on the State level, this is creating a vacuum of defense experience on the Federal level. Overall, the domain of the State courts and Federal courts are two different universes.<\/p>\n

Forget legal thrillers, \u201cThe Vanishing Trial\u201d by Robert Katzberg is better version. Just as entertaining, and for better or worse, real.<\/p>\n

Learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shop your local indie bookstore<\/a> <---This is an affiliate link to IndieBound, which supports independent bookstores throughout the United States. If you use this link to purchase the book, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you.<\/p>\n

Do you enjoy The Magical Buffet? Considering supporting The Magical Buffet on Patreon! For only $5 a month you\u2019ll receive monthly tarot\/oracle forecasts, classes, and behind the scenes updates! https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/magicalbuffet<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"