Reasonable Doubts: The Criminal Justice System and the O.J. Simpson Case (Paperback)

~ (Author) "As SOON as the morning newscaster announced that the bloody body of the woman found in Brentwood several hours earlier was that of Nicole Brown,..." (more)
Key Phrases: police perjury, spousal discord, black jurors, Los Angeles, Marcia Clark, Nicole Brown (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

. . . Its main argument is quite interesting. . . . -- The New York Times Book Review, Nicholas Lemann

Product Description

Using the O. J. Simpson case as a backdrop, the famed defense attorney examines the American criminal justice system, critically analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. Reprint.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (February 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068483264X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684832647
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #574,653 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for laypeople who think OJ did it., April 5, 1999

By A Customer

When the OJ verdict came out, my wife and I were on a West Coast road trip. When the innkeepers found out I was an attorney, they would invariably ask me what I thought about the verdict. I replied that OJ probably killed his ex-wife. But OJ went free because of the many mistakes the police and prosecution committed, including giving the glove to OJ. (Rule no. 1: never have a hostile witness conduct a demonstration. Ever. Even if you think the demonstration is fail-proof.)

This book confirms my hunches, which were certainly less informed than Dersh's. It also discusses all the different policies that go into our criminal justice system, in a language laypeople can understand.

After you read this book, you'll understand that "probably guilty" is not enough to convict. You'll also know that most people had more information than the jury, and that the jury had to base their verdict upon the evidence presented at trial, rather than all the facts and factoids floating around.

Ultimately, while the book may not convince you that (a) OJ didn't kill them (the book didn't try to that) or (b) OJ's guilt was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, it will provide you with a better understanding of the criminal system.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book that answers some questions, April 17, 1998

By	[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

I don't know about you but I was totally engrossed when the OJ Simpson trial was on TV. So naturally when everyone from Johnnie Cochran to the man who bagged OJ's groceries the day of the murder starting writing a book about it, I started reading hoping to get some good evaluation of the case. As a student of history and political science I wanted to know what the people involved with the case thought. Of course almost every book is an opportunity for an ego trip, a defense of misguided actions, or a chance to rocket to the best seller list on the backs of history's most publicized criminal trial. No one actually spoke to anything valuable. And then there's Alan Dershowitz. Dershowitz was retained as an appellate lawyer and for his expertise in constitutional law. When Robert Shapiro, skip his book by the way, retained him he asked if he would educate the public on the case. As a teacher Dershowitz couldn't refuse. And he's still teaching. The book answers questions that have been on everyone's mind since the trial. Just read the table of contents and you won't be able to put it down.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a "must read" book, December 25, 2002

By	Thomas P. Connolly (Richmond, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I watched a ridiculously large amount of the trial of the century and the associated talking heads. I was in utter disbelief when the jury acquitted O.J.

Since then I have carefully evaluated the evidence that the jury had to consider. I now believe that, although O.J. probably did the crime, the jury came out with the proper decision.

This book is excellent if you are interested in the trial or just want to know more about our judicial system. Professor Dershowitz clearly lays out the rules the jury had to operate under and isolates the information I had seen on television against what the jury was allowed to hear.