Charged

by Emily Bazelon
Charged cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Investigative Journalism
Technical
  • ID: 3869
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9780399590023
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2019-04-09
  • Reviews: 3

Charged by Emily Bazelon is a New York Times bestseller that delves into the often-overlooked power of prosecutors in the American criminal justice system. The book follows the stories of Kevin, a young man in Brooklyn, and Noura, a teenage girl in Memphis, both caught up in the system. Bazelon tracks their cases from arrest to sentencing, illustrating how prosecutors' decisions can lead to severe injustices. The book also highlights the efforts of reform-minded district attorneys who are working to change the system and offer second chances to those like Kevin and Noura. Bazelon combines deeply reported narrative, legal analysis, and investigative journalism to show how the criminal justice system can go wrong and how it can be improved. She argues that prosecutors have immense power that often goes unchecked, contributing significantly to mass incarceration. The book is not just a critique but also a call to action, profiling innovative approaches and frontline advocates who are pushing for a more just and equitable system.

Reviews
Journal of Legal Education · J Murray · 2021-01-01
thoughtful 4.00

The book is seen as important and insightful, though the reviewer is not entirely convinced by the strongest version of the author's thesis. The discussion highlights the complexities and nuances of prosecutorial power.

The reviewer acknowledges that Charged is a significant and thought-provoking book. They appreciate the depth of analysis but express some reservations about the central thesis, particularly the claim that prosecutorial power is the primary driver of mass incarceration. The discussion delves into the intricacies of the legal system and the challenges of reform. The reviewer suggests that while the book raises crucial questions, it may not provide all the answers, making it a valuable starting point for further debate and exploration.

Quick quotes

    Charged is an important, insightful book.

    To be clear, I am not entirely convinced by the strongest version of Bazelon's thesis: namely, that prosecutorial discretion is the primary driver of mass incarceration.

    The book raises crucial questions about the role of prosecutors in the criminal justice system.

PEN America · 2020-05-28
compelling 4.25

The book provides a deep and engaging look into the lives of individuals caught in the criminal justice system, offering a human perspective on the broader issues of prosecution and incarceration.

The reviewer praises Charged for its deep and engaging exploration of the criminal justice system through the stories of individuals like Kevin and Noura. By taking the reader step by step through the incidents that led to their charges, the book humanizes the broader issues of prosecution and incarceration. The reviewer finds this approach both compelling and necessary, as it brings a personal dimension to the discussion of systemic problems. The book is seen as a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about criminal justice reform, offering insights that are both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating.

Quick quotes

    Bazelon brings us deep inside Kevin and Noura's respective worlds, then takes us step by step through the incidents that led to their charges.

    The book offers a human perspective on the broader issues of prosecution and incarceration.

    Charged is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about criminal justice reform.

Harvard Law Review · 2019-04-09
powerful 4.50

The book is described as a powerful and unsettling read that challenges the reader's complacency about the criminal justice system. It successfully highlights the urgent need for reform.

This review emphasizes that Charged is a book designed to shake the reader's complacency about the state of the criminal justice system. The reviewer finds it powerful and unsettling, arguing that it effectively exposes the flaws and injustices within the system. The discussion focuses on the book's ability to provoke thought and action, making it a crucial read for anyone interested in criminal justice reform. The reviewer appreciates the book's thorough research and compelling narrative, which together create a strong case for change.

Quick quotes

    It is a book written to destroy your complacency, and it succeeds.

    Ask nearly any prosecutor what they do for a living, and, in my experience, the answer that follows is almost always some variation on 'I put bad people in jail.'

    Charged is a powerful and unsettling read that challenges the reader's complacency about the criminal justice system.

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