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Jurisdiction Terminated: A Gripping Story From Inside The Justice System
Judge Marty Goldstein relishes his new job in juvenile court. Until reality sets in.
He loves his court staff and the sense of accomplishment that working with delinquent youth provides. Little does he know that the death of the head of the Superior Court department known as ISD or Internal Services Division will turn his world upside down.
This death by an overdose of methamphetamine in a trailer not far from the Courthouse will place Judge Goldstein, and the deputy district attorney that was assigned to his courtroom, in the middle of a murder investigation connected to a major North Korean drug cartel.
After torturing a suspect, the two sleuths eventually confront the Surgeon, a North Korean assassin whose method of choice involves inserting a long thin needle through the eye into the brain.
The Judge, his deputy D.A. and a tech savvy DEA agent get sucked deeper and deeper into a mysterious group of drug dealers while ultimately exposing a conspiracy that threatens to destroy the detention facilities that house minors who are punished for crimes.
Facing head on the bureaucratic nightmares of the administration of juvenile justice, they unravel the flaws in the system, dismantling it from the top down, exposing the corruption of its operating principles.
He loves his court staff and the sense of accomplishment that working with delinquent youth provides. Little does he know that the death of the head of the Superior Court department known as ISD or Internal Services Division will turn his world upside down.
This death by an overdose of methamphetamine in a trailer not far from the Courthouse will place Judge Goldstein, and the deputy district attorney that was assigned to his courtroom, in the middle of a murder investigation connected to a major North Korean drug cartel.
After torturing a suspect, the two sleuths eventually confront the Surgeon, a North Korean assassin whose method of choice involves inserting a long thin needle through the eye into the brain.
The Judge, his deputy D.A. and a tech savvy DEA agent get sucked deeper and deeper into a mysterious group of drug dealers while ultimately exposing a conspiracy that threatens to destroy the detention facilities that house minors who are punished for crimes.
Facing head on the bureaucratic nightmares of the administration of juvenile justice, they unravel the flaws in the system, dismantling it from the top down, exposing the corruption of its operating principles.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2019
8 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 27, 2016
I randomly chose this novel and immediately found myself caught up in its two parallel stories—which as often happens, converge on each other, in this instance in a thrilling, gritty climax.
The tale is told by a Los Angeles County Juvenile Court judge made weary by the numbing contradictions and insanity that have crept into the system.
In "Jurisdiction Terminated" we learn how the system has weighed downed the public defenders, court officers, bureaucrats—all exhausted by ever growing, ever conflicting Penal Code laws—and of course, grossly inadequate funding in the face of the greatest drug epidemic in American history.
The judge’s characterizations of his colleagues and those in front of his bench are often amusing with a cynicism cultivated by being on the job far too long.
He starts to suspect an organized Korean meth ring is flooding the juvenile centers with their deadly product. The action amongst the colorful criminal element in Los Angeles’s Koreatown takes on a fast and deadly pace.
The judge steps outside the tedium of his daily battle with the system, and becomes energized by his efforts to bring down the drug ring—with the help of a few trusted law enforcement friends and family members.
A fun read with an amusing inside look at one part of a criminal justice system that is quickly corroding. The one time overriding goal of protection and rehabilitation of juvenile defenders seems to no longer be even a distant possibility.
I notice that one of the authors is a now retired juvenile court judge—which no doubt accounts for the authenticity of the action throughout this little gem.
Alan Geik, author Glenfiddich Inn
The tale is told by a Los Angeles County Juvenile Court judge made weary by the numbing contradictions and insanity that have crept into the system.
In "Jurisdiction Terminated" we learn how the system has weighed downed the public defenders, court officers, bureaucrats—all exhausted by ever growing, ever conflicting Penal Code laws—and of course, grossly inadequate funding in the face of the greatest drug epidemic in American history.
The judge’s characterizations of his colleagues and those in front of his bench are often amusing with a cynicism cultivated by being on the job far too long.
He starts to suspect an organized Korean meth ring is flooding the juvenile centers with their deadly product. The action amongst the colorful criminal element in Los Angeles’s Koreatown takes on a fast and deadly pace.
The judge steps outside the tedium of his daily battle with the system, and becomes energized by his efforts to bring down the drug ring—with the help of a few trusted law enforcement friends and family members.
A fun read with an amusing inside look at one part of a criminal justice system that is quickly corroding. The one time overriding goal of protection and rehabilitation of juvenile defenders seems to no longer be even a distant possibility.
I notice that one of the authors is a now retired juvenile court judge—which no doubt accounts for the authenticity of the action throughout this little gem.
Alan Geik, author Glenfiddich Inn
April 15, 2016
Everyone understands, or should understand, how thoroughly screwed up government bureaucracies are. Judicial systems are no exception; and relatively confidential judicial systems like the juvenile justice system provide the opportunity for abuse without any real form of accountability.
Imagine, then, the opportunities that would arise if a North Korean criminal enterprise managed to smuggle high quality methamphetamine into a major metropolitan juvenile justice system in a way that that was lucrative for all the system’s administrators. It’s easy if the administrators consider the juveniles in detention to be drug users, incorrigible criminals and unworthy of the effort of saving.
Such is the juvenile justice system described in Jurisdiction Terminated; a system torn between taking controversial action that truly changes behavior and the prevailing political sentiment that kinder and gentler, but generally ineffective, tactics should be used. Into this mix, comes a Korean crime syndicate with a seemingly endless supply of methamphetamine, the ability to corrupt responsible officials and a fixed population of juvenile consumers for the meth. When Los Angeles Superior Court Internal Services Chief John Walker is murdered, and subsequently, Judge Marty Goldstein begins to notice fewer cases coming into his court, he begins to suspect something is wrong in paradise. Enlisting a few good friends (he thinks) Goldstein begins asking questions with potentially disastrous results. What follows is a nail-biting detective story in the best tradition of the genre.
The story is narrated in the first person from Judge Goldstein’s perspective. It’s his frustration that is expressed throughout the narrative. The characters are believable; even to the fact that most who weren’t involved in the conspiracy couldn’t care less what was happening around them. Goldstein displays strength of character in pursuing his suspicions, but exercises poor judgment enlisting assistance. Goldstein’s companion judges are well developed characters, but are much better developed than their role in the story requires. Otherwise, the character’s development is consistent with their roles.
Jurisdiction Terminated is entertaining, believable and anyone who ever spent much time in government service can relate to the dry frustration that seeps through it. It should be an enjoyable and entertaining read for everyone who loves detective/crime action stories and similar adventures. I enjoyed it. If you want to know what happened in the end, I guess you’ll have to buy it and read it!
Imagine, then, the opportunities that would arise if a North Korean criminal enterprise managed to smuggle high quality methamphetamine into a major metropolitan juvenile justice system in a way that that was lucrative for all the system’s administrators. It’s easy if the administrators consider the juveniles in detention to be drug users, incorrigible criminals and unworthy of the effort of saving.
Such is the juvenile justice system described in Jurisdiction Terminated; a system torn between taking controversial action that truly changes behavior and the prevailing political sentiment that kinder and gentler, but generally ineffective, tactics should be used. Into this mix, comes a Korean crime syndicate with a seemingly endless supply of methamphetamine, the ability to corrupt responsible officials and a fixed population of juvenile consumers for the meth. When Los Angeles Superior Court Internal Services Chief John Walker is murdered, and subsequently, Judge Marty Goldstein begins to notice fewer cases coming into his court, he begins to suspect something is wrong in paradise. Enlisting a few good friends (he thinks) Goldstein begins asking questions with potentially disastrous results. What follows is a nail-biting detective story in the best tradition of the genre.
The story is narrated in the first person from Judge Goldstein’s perspective. It’s his frustration that is expressed throughout the narrative. The characters are believable; even to the fact that most who weren’t involved in the conspiracy couldn’t care less what was happening around them. Goldstein displays strength of character in pursuing his suspicions, but exercises poor judgment enlisting assistance. Goldstein’s companion judges are well developed characters, but are much better developed than their role in the story requires. Otherwise, the character’s development is consistent with their roles.
Jurisdiction Terminated is entertaining, believable and anyone who ever spent much time in government service can relate to the dry frustration that seeps through it. It should be an enjoyable and entertaining read for everyone who loves detective/crime action stories and similar adventures. I enjoyed it. If you want to know what happened in the end, I guess you’ll have to buy it and read it!
March 8, 2016
I am not a fan of courtroom procedural books, but Jack Golds Book "Jurisdiction Terminated" is a good look into the Juvenile court system from a judges point of view in California . I thought it took a bit of time to get into, but once I did I had a hard putting the book down. Mr. Gold brings court room reality down into layman's terms. Very interesting.
A good read!
A good read!
March 23, 2018
Gripping!
Honest, gritty and a fast-paced read. The inner-workings of the LA County juvenile system splayed open for reader perusal. The judge is my favorite character and his humanity is the best part of the book. How he thinks and feels give the reader an emotional tie to the story.
Readily recommended!
Thank you!
Honest, gritty and a fast-paced read. The inner-workings of the LA County juvenile system splayed open for reader perusal. The judge is my favorite character and his humanity is the best part of the book. How he thinks and feels give the reader an emotional tie to the story.
Readily recommended!
Thank you!
April 16, 2018
Lots of inside information on juvenile justice.
I like legal stories. This was very informative but I began to get bored after the first few chapters. The future onto the book the better the story got. About a third of the way I finally felt like there was a plot and it became exciting to read and I am glad I finished reading it.
I like legal stories. This was very informative but I began to get bored after the first few chapters. The future onto the book the better the story got. About a third of the way I finally felt like there was a plot and it became exciting to read and I am glad I finished reading it.
November 15, 2017
Just started this a few days ago it’s already so interesting Would love to see this on tv
February 12, 2016
A good read, packed with judicial process minutae, graphic violence and recommendations for some of the tastiest food in the San Fernando Valley.
Judge Marty Goldstein finds himself drawn from the cozy environs of his new gig as a Juvenile Court jurist by a North Korean drug ring that has infiltrated his jurisdiction. As Judge Marty and his crew of supporters unravel the cartel, they face down characters from inept burglars to a sinister Surgeon.
Throughout the book, the Judge maintains his work schedule, which allows us to both see his current, rather cynical perspective on the juvenile criminal justice system and to view detailed examples of cases, court processes and personalities which led him to see things the way he does.
The Judge's extensive use of salty vocabulary keeps the court material lively.
The food references occur often and are spot on in their identification of some great places to eat, and some great items on the menus, near the Sylmar, California courthouse where the Judge holds court.
I scanned this book for defects, and there are a couple of light blips, but, despite the blips, it is highly entertaining, a smooth, easy read, and one which I would recommend to any fan of Southern California noir.
Be sure to check your favorite music download vendor for "LA Carpool" ... they are real, and they sure can salsa.
Judge Marty Goldstein finds himself drawn from the cozy environs of his new gig as a Juvenile Court jurist by a North Korean drug ring that has infiltrated his jurisdiction. As Judge Marty and his crew of supporters unravel the cartel, they face down characters from inept burglars to a sinister Surgeon.
Throughout the book, the Judge maintains his work schedule, which allows us to both see his current, rather cynical perspective on the juvenile criminal justice system and to view detailed examples of cases, court processes and personalities which led him to see things the way he does.
The Judge's extensive use of salty vocabulary keeps the court material lively.
The food references occur often and are spot on in their identification of some great places to eat, and some great items on the menus, near the Sylmar, California courthouse where the Judge holds court.
I scanned this book for defects, and there are a couple of light blips, but, despite the blips, it is highly entertaining, a smooth, easy read, and one which I would recommend to any fan of Southern California noir.
Be sure to check your favorite music download vendor for "LA Carpool" ... they are real, and they sure can salsa.
February 12, 2018
This review comes from the Self Publishing review:"A thought-provoking read that provides a glimpse into two arenas not often portrayed in fiction: the inner mind of a judge and the juvenile court system. The novel always remains entertaining because of the strength of the narrator’s voice, and the quick pulse of the plot. A fresh take on the legal thriller that will please readers of hard-edged crime fiction." Self-Publishing Review,
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews