This work uses a violent attack of a nursing student as the background to illustrate the workings of the criminal justice system. It shows the roles of public defenders, prosecutors, police, and judges. Finally, it shows the mistrust defendants have of the criminal justice system where they don't trust their public defenders and the judges. It shows the always present low-level racism in this country and the failure of some inner-city parents to properly guide their children into being productive members of society.