70 pages • 2 hours read
Steve BogiraCourtroom 302
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Courtroom 302 by Steve Bogira follows a year in the life of Chicago's Cook County Courthouse, centered around Judge Daniel Locallo’s courtroom. It examines the lives of various defendants, such as Larry Bates and Leroy Orange, to highlight systemic social and racial injustices within the criminal justice system. Sensitive topics include substance dependency, sexual exploitation, police brutality, and wrongful imprisonment.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Steve Bogira's Courtroom 302 is acclaimed for its detailed, eye-opening portrayal of the American judicial system's flaws through a year-long observation of Judge Richard Lokow's courtroom in Chicago. Critics praise its journalistic depth and powerful storytelling, although some note its dense legal jargon may deter casual readers. Overall, it's an enlightening yet heavy read.
Who Should Read Courtroom 302?
Readers who enjoy In Cold Blood by Truman Capote or The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander will appreciate Courtroom 302 by Steve Bogira. This book appeals to those interested in criminal justice, courtroom dynamics, and socio-legal issues, offering an in-depth, narrative-driven exploration of the American legal system.