In this first episode of The Politics of Justice, I revisit the opening chapters of Judged—the story that launched the Casey Cort series and, in many ways, the story that shaped me.

These chapters are rooted in my real life:
• growing up as a Black girl trying to fit into an overwhelmingly white school
• navigating my mother’s alcoholism
• seeing up close how foster care and institutional politics decide who is protected—and who is overlooked

In the video, I walk through my original notes and highlights, talk about what I was trying to say in the fiction, and share the personal experiences I’ve rarely spoken about publicly.

If you’re interested in how personal history becomes story… how politics quietly shapes the lives of kids… or how Casey Cort came to be, this episode is a powerful place to start.

Judged is currently free on all platforms.
This series uses the book as a springboard to talk about justice, race, family, and the systems that fail us—and the ones we fight to change.

About Politics of Justice:
Politics of Justice is a long-form video series where I revisit my novels and unpack the personal history, legal realities, and systemic issues woven into the fiction. These conversations explore justice, race, family, power, and the cost of survival—on the page and in real life.

About Aime Austin:
I’m Aime Austin, a legal thriller author and former trial lawyer. I write the Casey Cort and Nicole Long series, stories centered on women navigating broken systems and the moral complexity of justice. My work blends fiction, lived experience, and legal insight.

Find Me Online:
Website: https://aimeaustin.com
Substack: https://legalthrillerauthor.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legalthrillerauthor/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@legalthrillerauthor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@legalthrillerauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aime-austin
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/legalthrillerauthor

Listen & Subscribe:
This series is also available in video form on YouTube.