Law Guru

"Morley Swingle's Scoundrels to the Hoosegow is not only consistently fascinating, but there is much to be learned from it about life in and out of an American courtroom. I highly recommend this engrossing book." Vincent Bugliosi, Author of Helter Skelter In Scoundrels to the Hoosegow, a veteran prosecutor who is also a terrific storyteller shares more than thirty legal stories drawn from real life. In cases ranging from tragic to hilarious, Morley Swingle offers a behind-the-scenes look at the justice system from crime scenes to courtrooms. Swingle takes readers on an enjoyable romp through crime and punishment. Whether describing a drunk who frees dogs from the pound or a serial killer who saves lives in his day job, he combines true crime and legal analysis with a healthy dose of humor-and shares the occasional "Perry Mason moment." "If Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities captured the essence of criminal practice in a major metropolis, then Scoundrels surely captures the essence of that practice in small town and rural America." Robert H. Dierker, Jr. "Swingle has written an interesting, easily approachable-and rare-account of daily life as a prosecuting attorney. I am unaware of any prosecutor who writes better than Swingle. The book is refreshing. Mark Twain almost certainly would have enjoyed it." Steve Weinberg, St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Morley Swingle is a terrific writer and an even better entertainer. Lawyers and non-lawyers alike will enjoy being along for this informative and entertaining trip to the hoosegow." Forward, Reviews of Indie Books "Those who read Ann Rule, Joe McGinniss or John Grisham will enjoy this book." Lithuanian Librarian

Snoop Dogg was acquitted of murder through computer-generated animation used as demonstrative evidence.Using that case and others, Morley Swingle, a veteran prosecutor with 178 jury trials and 111 homicide cases explains how to admit or reject demonstrative evidence, from a simple diagram to computer-generated reenactments of violent crimes. "Any trial lawyer who listens to this excellent resource will no doubt come up with creative ideas to use in his or her own cases.This helpful volume should be on the bookshelf of every trial lawyer, from baby lawyers to courtroom veterans, whether practicing criminal or civil law.It will make you a better trial lawyer."Scott Rosenblum

Veteran prosecutor and award-winning author Morley Swingle explains the complexities of search warrant law and procedure governed by Fourth Amendment constitutional law in this highly readable and entertaining book. Fourth Amendment law is exciting and complex. If you are a law enforcement officer, prosecutor, criminal defense lawyer, judge, or just a citizen who cares about the constitutional right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment, you will enjoy this book, read by the author. Topics include geofence warrants, tower dumps, cell-site simulators, anticipatory search warrants, DNA warrants, surgical invasions, stomach pumping, drones, knock and announce rules, detention at scene, strip searches, cell phone searches, GPS tracking, the good faith exception, suppression hearings, the particularity requirement, the probable cause requirement, the oath requirement, and much more.

Don't Get Disbarred is a must-read for every prosecutor in America. It teaches lawyers and law students how to stay out of trouble with state bar disciplinary authorities. As Warren Buffett says: "It takes twenty years to build your reputation, but only five minutes to lose it." In this informative and often amusing book, veteran prosecutor and award-winning author Morley Swingle discusses hundreds of cases from all 50 states providing specific examples of prosecutors behaving badly and receiving everything from censure, reprimand, or suspension, to total disbarment. The misconduct arises from ethical lapses, sometimes occurring in a split second, and often resulting in catastrophic consequences for defendants. The misbehavior of these scoundrels, scalawags and screwups includes everything from intentionally putting on perjured testimony to practical jokes gone bad. Armed with 30 years of experience litigating criminal cases, Swingle, a former state and federal prosecutor, personally dealt with countless ethical choices faced by prosecutors toiling in the trenches of actual day-to-day litigation and case management. He knows the material as well as anyone in America. Reading this book will help prosecutors save their reputations. It will aid criminal defense lawyers and judges in recognizing prosecutorial misconduct when they see it. It will help prevent the tragedy of wrongful convictions. "Don't Get Disbarred: Ethics & Professional Responsibility For Prosecutors is the best book ever written for prosecutors who want to follow the Rules of Professional Conduct and stay out of trouble themselves. Every prosecutor, no matter what level of experience or inexperience, should read it." Stephen Sokoloff, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services (Retired)

A veteran prosecutor and award-winning author explains the complexities of preparing the right "predicate" questions required to admit evidence in a criminal trial. In this highly readable and entertaining book--read by the author--topics include routine evidentiary issues like fingerprints, photographs, diagrams, business records, ballistics, toxicology results, autopsy findings, surveillance recordings, drug dog alerts, jail calls, confessions, and line-ups, to newer developments such as DNA, cell tower dumps, GPS location data, geofence search warrant results, license plate readers, digitally enhanced photographs, e-mails, text messages, social media postings, and hearsay under the forfeiture by wrongdoing doctrine.