Paul Brakke

Paul Brakke, the son of Eastern European immigrant parents, was born and raised in New York City. He went to college and graduate school in biology in and around Philadelphia, and subsequently worked in scientific research in Seattle, Los Angeles, Nashville and Galveston, where he spent 22 years, the bulk of his scientific career and became a professor. He now lives in the Little Rock, Arkansas area.

He was a largely successful scientist with many publications when his life was turned upside down when his wife was falsely accused of aggravated assault for trying to run some kids over with her car. Both the kids and some neighbors lied, because they wanted the Brakke’s out of the neighborhood. Eventually, they had to move, as part of a plea agreement with the prosecutor, since otherwise, Brakke’s wife was threatened with a possible 16 year jail sentence if the case went to trial and she lost.

He has told his wife’s story in AMERICAN JUSTICE, along with a critique of the criminal justice system. Since then, he has gone on to extensively research the criminal justice system in order to suggest ways of fixing it. His new books include: THE PRICE OF JUSTICE IN AMERICA, COPS AREN'T SUCH BAD GUYS, and THE GREAT NATIONAL DIVIDES. He is working on a new book on the prison system in America.