Being a voice for the oppressed brings change for that individual, but cultivating and contributing to the dialogue and shaping policy are the hallmark of a legacy. Some may remember cases I have won over my career, but I pray more will see the benefit of a life spent trying to change the system before the system changed me.
It truly has been my honor.
These are my stories...The cases that have strengthened me,
that have exhausted and renewed me,
and
that have made me rage cry.
I share these stories to identify merely some of those who the military [in]justice system has tried to silence. I provide a call to action, to rally and grow an "army" of advocates. They cannot silence us all.
"In "It Has Been My Honor", Jocelyn has eloquently shared 12 cases where she served as a defender of those men and women who have served to protect our freedom as members of the U. S. Military. As a non-lawyer reading this, I found this absolutely riveting, well written and heart-wrenching. I praise Jocelyn for the work she does and have great admiration for the grit and dedication she puts into each and every case in an attempt to find the best possible outcome for her clients. She truly puts her heart and soul into her work - you can feel it in the pages of this book. This is a must read!"
- Colonel (Retired) Kim Biever
"Lawyers like to tell war stories, but few lawyers have the depth of material or the conviction of principle that Jocelyn shares here. Her commitment to both her clients and her work shines through in these tales of tension, trial, and triumph. In military justice circles, the title of "true believer" is sometimes a badge of honor and sometimes a more derisive epithet. No matter how someone uses it to describe Jocelyn, you can be sure it's going to be received as a compliment. This book explains why defendants continue to look to this true believer to stand beside them." - Ben Grimes
"Real passion is rare, but you know it when you see it. And the passion that Stewart shows for the people that take that one step forward and swear an oath to protect this country really shows throughout this book, in each anecdote and each story. She's an eloquent writer and a natural storyteller of "war stories." It's not only unusual to find a military defense lawyer who can write (this is Stewarts fourth book), but she's also a fascinating storyteller on social media." - Tim Kenney
"Jocelyn is not only a skilled military defense attorney, but an incredible storyteller committed to fixing the criminal justice system within the Armed Forces. Each chapter had me riveted, almost unbelievable cases of people who through no fault of their own, were falsely accused of wrongdoing. It Has Been My Honor is a must read to get the "story behind the story" on multiple cases which played out improperly in the mass media."
- Theresa Carpenter
"The term "true believer" is usually uttered by us criminal defense lawyers as a pejorative for prosecutors who blindly accept the word of the police on faith. This book sheds a new and refreshing light on the term. Jocelyn Stewart is a true believer in the concept of justice. Whether charged with stealing some rugs in Iraq or mishandling nuclear secrets Jocelyn Stewart's pursuit of justice never falters; her work is never deprioritized (aside from that one time which likely, literally, saved her life). Each story in this book embodies every characteristic of what it takes for those inducted into the Actual Army to have climbed Honor Hill. This book will transport the reader to her Battlefield; you feel like an actual Battle Buddy. As a fellow BB, being asked to write this review has been My Honor. " - Mart Harris
