A Prosecutor's Story Truth, Honor, and Justice are More Than Just Words

Alan A. Cook was a prosecutor for the state of Georgia from 1987-2001. He served as the elected District Attorney for the Alcovy Judicial Circuit from 1990-2000. During his years as a prosecutor, he tried over 120 jury trials ranging from capital murder to minor traffic cases. After leaving active prosecution, Cook joined the University of Georgia School of Law faculty and taught Criminal Law & Procedure to aspiring prosecutors for 18 years before retiring in 2019.

In A Prosecutor's Story, Prof. Cook shares his experiences as a trial lawyer and reluctant politician. Along the way, he imparts unique insights into the inner workings of our criminal justice system – highlighting its virtues and its shortcomings. Sometimes proud, sometimes cynical, and often snarky, he gives the reader a true picture of what it's like to be a prosecutor in America.

Alan A. Cook was a criminal prosecutor for the state of Georgia from 1987-2001. He served as the elected District Attorney for the Alcovy Judicial Circuit from 1990-2000. During his years as a prosecutor, he tried over 120 jury trials ranging from murder cases (including 6 death penalty cases) to minor traffic offenses. After leaving active prosecution, Cook joined the University of Georgia School of Law faculty and taught Criminal Law & Procedure to aspiring prosecutors for 18 years before retiring in 2019.

Cook is the author of two previous books, the most recent being a comprehensive training manual for new Georgia prosecutors titled: Cook's Field Guide to Prosecution in Georgia which is now in its second edition. Professor Cook received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in 1981 and his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1984.