where did the phrase " throw the book at you " come from?

Answer 1

Well, I can't give you everything about the origins, but the phrase refers to the penal code book. Basically, if a person is brought in with a lot of different charges, which is often the case in order to give the DA some bargaining power, they don't merely cite parts of the book, they throw the whole book at you, metaphorically speaking.

Answer 2

all of the applicable laws from a "legal text book" or "civil code of laws" denoting crimes,fines and penalties accruing to one;s prosecution under all of those statutes!!!!!!