“Write what you know” is one of those often thrown-around cliches, but how many of us actually do it? Whether you parlayed legal careers into cooking on TikTok, posting on OnlyFans, or leaving the IRS to sell hotdogs, there is a book’s worth of stories in most of us. A trial attorney took the plunge and authored a book that pulls on his knowledge as an attorney. Mysuncoast has coverage:
A Tampa trial attorney with a seven-decade legal career has released a legal thriller about justice, corruption and a man facing death row.
Bennie Lazzara, who also writes under the pen name B.M. Reade, published “The Jury Is Back,” set on Anna Maria Island. Lazzara began his career as a prosecutor exclusively handling first-degree murder cases and later transitioned into criminal defense work.
The novel follows Sammy Carrara Jr., a former Tampa native turned charter boat captain on Anna Maria Island, who is accused of first-degree murder after being pulled back into drug smuggling. Set in late-1970s Florida during “reefer madness,” the story follows prosecutors pushing for execution in Florida’s electric chair while Sammy insists he’s being framed.
The story takes its name from what a bailiff usually says to let the attorneys know that the jury is ready to render a decision. Much better title than alternatives like “Get your ass back in here!” and “Ding! Verdict is done!”
If you’re a law student looking for an excuse to slack on your class readings and learn Crim Law by osmosis, this is the book for you! If you really want to gamify it, you could mark off all of the satisfied elements of crimes and highlight proof of mens rea in your favorite color. And if you’re from the area, you’ll recognize the names of the bars and beaches. Anything to keep you from brushing up on Regina v. Dudley and Stephens.
Lazzara co-authored the book with his son. After his son passed away, he finished it in his honor. If the story is half as thrilling as its making is touching, you’re in for one hell of a read!
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s . He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who is learning to swim, is interested in critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com and by tweet at @WritesForRent.
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