The Magistrates

It's Los Angeles in the 1960's.

Christina Jensen is a bright, beautiful and very successful trial lawyer. Her ruthless courtroom tactics earn her the title, "Dragon Lady." But Christina's heavy drinking that began while she was an Army nurse is aggravated when she's frequently mistreated because she's a woman. Her hard-won appointment to the bench is almost derailed, and when she makes an unpopular ruling in a high profile murder case, she must battle for her career and her life.

"Suspenseful, romantic, and completely candid. Convincing, authentic portrayals of the sticky, complex problems faced by judges, defense lawyers, prosecutors...and the cops in the trenches. Realistic, honest depictions of thorny racial issues."
--Hon. Jack Goertzen, Justice of California Court of Appeal, Ret.

"The author's skillful portrayal of General George Patton and events in World War II and the Korean War gives readers a solid historical perspective. Every page in The Magistrates has the honest ring of truth. This is the real thing."
--Leroy Baca, Sheriff, Los Angeles County

"Consummate insider's look at the judicial appointment, discipline, and election process. Absolute must reading for lawyers, judges, police and politicians--and substance abusers. In layman's language, Smith tells it all, revealing how and why certain cases, large or small, are won or lost."
--Ed Davis, former Los Angeles Chief of Police and California State Senator