Clark’s Eye on Books

By Clark Isaacs

Let’s Get Free, A Hip – Hop Theory of Justice

Author: Paul Butler
ISBN: 978-1-59558-329-1 Pages: 224, $25.95, Publication Date: May 12, 2009,
Hardcover, Non-Fiction, Published The New Press

Timely is when a book hits the store shelves and the subject is extremely volatile. Let’s
Get Free, A Hip - Hop Theory of Justice by Paul Butler is such a book. Butler examines
the issues which were similar in nature to Professor Gates arrest before they even
happened.

Butler, a victim himself, when the police jumped to conclusions because he was black!
He is a victim because he was a United States Prosecuting Attorney, who committed an
alleged offense which led to his arrest and subsequent trial. Butler is a graduate of Yale
College and Harvard Law School who had to prove his innocence. He never was
presumed innocent as guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Butler was
exonerated of wrong-doing, but had to do it by means of a jury trial.

In his words: “I like justice and fair play. It turns out that we don’t have a lot of either in
our criminal justice system right now. This book is about how to get them back. My
main concern is you – the law-abiding person. I want to keep you safe and free.”
Many who get into the criminal justice system are guilty of petty crimes and serve large
sentences. Some states effectively treat the problems with marijuana as a fine under
$100, while others lock up those with a similar offense for 5 years. Under Federal
Sentencing Guidelines, the offense and the punishment do not fit the crime. Using
cocaine or having it in one’s possession carries a lesser penalty than cheaper crack
cocaine which is the drug of choice for the black community, because of its affordability.
Butler points out the percentages of blacks in the jail system in both state and federal
institutions are higher than other races because of this disparity.

How can this be rectified? Well, the people can use what he calls the Jury Nullification
System. Jurors can find the defendant not guilty by ignoring the evidence and using their
own common sense, thereby forcing the system to change gross miscarriages of justice.

Butler points to his own trial, where he was faced with a police officer he knew lied on
the stand against him when he said he saw Butler put sawdust on the complainant’s steps.
Only through sharp cross-examination by his defense counsel was he able to overcome
this diabolical scheme to convict him. Shortly after his trial, he left the Justice
Department because he felt he could not prosecute marginal cases any longer.

With budgets skyrocketing for the incarceration of criminals who have created non-
violent offenses, Butler recommends house arrest, early release, probation, or an
electronic device to be used as cost-saving alternatives. He points out that these various
methods can be put into effect now and that our “lock-‘em-up” culture is not all that it is
cracked-up to be.

Remember this book the next time that you or a family member sit on a jury. Consider
the punishment to be imposed on the defendant and how it relates to the crime. Society
might best be served by your participation in the Jury Nullification System by voting
NOT GUILTY because the punishment does not fit the crime!

Highly recommended!

= 30 =

Publisher Weekly Best Selling Books:

Week of August 3, 2009

Fiction

1 The Defector. Silva, Daniel;

Putnam, $26.95. ISBN 978-0-399-15568-0.
2 Best Friends Forever. Jennifer Weiner;
Atria, $26.99. ISBN 978-0-7432-9429-4.
3 Swimsuit. James Patterson and Maxine Paetro;
Little, Brown, $27.99. ISBN 978-0-316-01877-7.
4 Twenties Girl. Kinsella, Sophie;
Dial, $26. ISBN 978-0-385-34202-5.
5 Black Hills. Nora Roberts;
Putnam, $26.95. ISBN 978-0-399-15581-9.

Non-Fiction

1 Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man. Steve Harvey;

Amistad, $23.99. ISBN 978-0-06-172897-6.
2 Outliers. Malcolm Gladwell;
Little, Brown, $27.99. ISBN 9780316017923.
3 Liberty and Tyranny. Levin, Mark;
Threshold Editions, $25. ISBN 9781416562856.
4 Unmasked. Halperin, Ian;
Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $25. ISBN 978-1-4391-7717.
5 Catastrophe. Dick Morris & Eileen McGann;
Harper, $26. ISBN 978-0-06-177104-0.

Are there any books you would like reviewed? This column will find those which are
of special interest for your reading pleasure. Visit Clark Isaacs at
http://clarkisaacs.ning.com and tell him what you would like to have him write about.
Visit the website and find out more about the book swap section.

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