Redeeming Justice: From Defendant to Defender, My Fight for Equity on Both Sides of a Broken System
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- Create Date：2021-05-05 20:31:15
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Jarrett Adams
- ISBN：0593137817
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Summary
He was seventeen when an all-white jury sentenced him to prison for a crime he didn't commit。 Now， in this unforgettable memoir， a pioneering lawyer recalls the journey that led to his exoneration--and inspired him to devote his life to fighting the many injustices in our legal system。
Seventeen years old and facing nearly thirty years behind bars， Jarrett Adams sought to figure out the why behind his fate。 Sustained by his mother and aunts who brought him back from the edge of despair through letters of prayer and encouragement， Adams became obsessed with our legal system in all its damaged glory。 After studying how his constitutional rights to effective counsel had been violated， he solicited the help of the Wisconsin Innocence Project， an organization that exonerates the wrongfully convicted， and won his release after nearly ten years in prison。
But the journey was far from over。 Adams took the lessons he learned through his incarceration and worked his way through law school with the goal of helping those who， like himself， had faced our legal system at its worst。 After earning his law degree， he worked with the New York Innocence Project， becoming the first exoneree ever hired by the nonprofit as a lawyer。 In his first case with the Innocence Project， he argued before the same court that had convicted him a decade earlier--and won。
In this cinematic story of hope and full-circle redemption， Adams draws on his life and the cases of his clients to show the racist tactics used to convict young men of color， the unique challenges facing exonerees once released， and how the lack of equal representation in our courts is a failure not only of empathy but of our collective ability to uncover the truth。 Justice for Sale is an unforgettable firsthand account of the limits--and possibilities--of our country's system of law。
Seventeen years old and facing nearly thirty years behind bars， Jarrett Adams sought to figure out the why behind his fate。 Sustained by his mother and aunts who brought him back from the edge of despair through letters of prayer and encouragement， Adams became obsessed with our legal system in all its damaged glory。 After studying how his constitutional rights to effective counsel had been violated， he solicited the help of the Wisconsin Innocence Project， an organization that exonerates the wrongfully convicted， and won his release after nearly ten years in prison。
But the journey was far from over。 Adams took the lessons he learned through his incarceration and worked his way through law school with the goal of helping those who， like himself， had faced our legal system at its worst。 After earning his law degree， he worked with the New York Innocence Project， becoming the first exoneree ever hired by the nonprofit as a lawyer。 In his first case with the Innocence Project， he argued before the same court that had convicted him a decade earlier--and won。
In this cinematic story of hope and full-circle redemption， Adams draws on his life and the cases of his clients to show the racist tactics used to convict young men of color， the unique challenges facing exonerees once released， and how the lack of equal representation in our courts is a failure not only of empathy but of our collective ability to uncover the truth。 Justice for Sale is an unforgettable firsthand account of the limits--and possibilities--of our country's system of law。
Reviews
Sherron
，
A must-read， highly inspirational memoire of a young black man who， after being failed by the legal system himself， is now working to ensure others do not encounter the same fate he had。 Jarrett grew up in a loving family， he had friends， and he was looking forward a wide open future upon leaving high school。 When he was seventeen， he went to a party without first getting his mother’s permission。 How many times do kids do this but suffer no severe consequences？ But it’s not so easy when you’re b A must-read， highly inspirational memoire of a young black man who， after being failed by the legal system himself， is now working to ensure others do not encounter the same fate he had。 Jarrett grew up in a loving family， he had friends， and he was looking forward a wide open future upon leaving high school。 When he was seventeen， he went to a party without first getting his mother’s permission。 How many times do kids do this but suffer no severe consequences？ But it’s not so easy when you’re black and in the “wrong place。” He ended up in prison for ten years for a crime that he did not commit。 If I had just written a list of all the unfairness he endured as an outcome， this review would sound like “friend of the family” five star exaggeration。 But he tells his story in straightforward， forthright manner and unadorned by heroic puffery or legal lingo。 It’s a fast read， bringing in just enough information to relay a quick， clear picture of his circumstances。 I particularly loved reading about his family， and especially his supportive mother and aunts。 I want to hug those wonderful women！ I even enjoyed reading about his prison friendships。 He’s definitely a “people person。” I loved reading about his tenacity， his decision making， and his heart。 While in prison， he mailed off hundreds of legal pleas （colloquially speaking） on behalf of himself and other inmates—all the while gradually improving his writing skills。 And his skill shows in this book。 I highly recommended this book for anyone who is systemically marginalized by the legal system， for anyone interested in learning about flaws in that system， and for anyone wanting an inspirational BLM story of achievement。 Using his success story as a basis for role modeling， I could see this book being useful for classroom， family， or book club study—especially in an inner city context。 Like he says in the book， no one grows up intuitively knowing what to do in a legal system， and like his mother warns him， it’s best to be prepared。Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book。 。。。more
rebecca doyle
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I was utterly compelled by Jarretts story from the very first page of the astounding memoir。 I have read many similar stories of injustice but Jaretts is particularly moving as he managed to turn his experiences into a reason to help others in similar situations。 Jaretts story is one that continues to play out across American even to this day， reading his story and understanding it's consequences is an important step for us all in beginning to tackle racial injustice。 I was utterly compelled by Jarretts story from the very first page of the astounding memoir。 I have read many similar stories of injustice but Jaretts is particularly moving as he managed to turn his experiences into a reason to help others in similar situations。 Jaretts story is one that continues to play out across American even to this day， reading his story and understanding it's consequences is an important step for us all in beginning to tackle racial injustice。 。。。more
Ryann
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I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review。 As an attorney in Chicago， I was familiar with Jarrett’s story when he was a law student a few years ago。 I was still unprepared for how compelling I found this book。 Wrongfully convicted of sexual assault when he was barely an adult， Jarrett spent 10 years incarcerated before his conviction was overturned。 This book tells his story as he leaves prison， goes to law school and eventually argues his first case for the Innocence Project at th I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review。 As an attorney in Chicago， I was familiar with Jarrett’s story when he was a law student a few years ago。 I was still unprepared for how compelling I found this book。 Wrongfully convicted of sexual assault when he was barely an adult， Jarrett spent 10 years incarcerated before his conviction was overturned。 This book tells his story as he leaves prison， goes to law school and eventually argues his first case for the Innocence Project at the same court where he was convicted years before。 His story is equal parts inspiring and infuriating。 If you enjoyed Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” and Bryan Stevenson’s “Just Mercy，” you will want to order this book for your collection。 I’ll be recommending it to all my friends。 。。。more
Rachel Glass
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Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion。Jarrett Adams' story from wrongful imprisonment to being a lawyer is an absolute page turner。 His memories sing with raw， remembered emotion and passion for his work and his story， and his determination and perseverance in the face of institutional racism and prejudice are inspirational。 A must read for anyone interested in the US legal system。 Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion。Jarrett Adams' story from wrongful imprisonment to being a lawyer is an absolute page turner。 His memories sing with raw， remembered emotion and passion for his work and his story， and his determination and perseverance in the face of institutional racism and prejudice are inspirational。 A must read for anyone interested in the US legal system。 。。。more
Lauren Morgan
，
I don't usually read memoirs or a lot of nonfiction but Jarrett's story is powerful and so important。 Jarrett takes you on a surreal and painful journey through his experience with the justice system。 As a teenager， he is wrongly convicted of a crime and is sentenced to spend 28 years in prison。 Without a great lawyer， Jarrett"s options are limited and he begins to research his own case。 You realize how much the system is built against the accused。 I honestly had limited knowledge of the problem I don't usually read memoirs or a lot of nonfiction but Jarrett's story is powerful and so important。 Jarrett takes you on a surreal and painful journey through his experience with the justice system。 As a teenager， he is wrongly convicted of a crime and is sentenced to spend 28 years in prison。 Without a great lawyer， Jarrett"s options are limited and he begins to research his own case。 You realize how much the system is built against the accused。 I honestly had limited knowledge of the problems within the criminal justice system with most of my information coming from Netflix docuseries and Kim Kardashian。 I knew it was messed up but my mind was blown。 You can't help but get angry for how Jarrett was treated and it makes you think about all the other innocent ones who didn't get out like he did。 Jarrett's story is incredible and inspiring to the point where it feels like a movie。 How can any of this be real？Thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for my ARC。 。。。more
Vanessa Powell
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I am not sure enjoy is the right word。 Reading this book was both shocking and educational， I couldn’t put the book down。 What an incredible man Jarrett Adams is。 His story could have gone in so many directions but he chose to pursue his dream and helps others。 A great read
Whitney
，
Wow， what an incredible， inspiring story。 This book reads like a movie and I imagine it will be made into a movie one day。 Jarrett Adams is wrongfully convicted of rape when he is just 17 years old， and sent to prison。 He immerses himself in books and the law， eventually writing to attorneys seeking help with his case。 After many letters go unanswered， two different lawyers agree to help him with different parts of his case。 His reputation as a jail house lawyer helps build his confidence。 Once Wow， what an incredible， inspiring story。 This book reads like a movie and I imagine it will be made into a movie one day。 Jarrett Adams is wrongfully convicted of rape when he is just 17 years old， and sent to prison。 He immerses himself in books and the law， eventually writing to attorneys seeking help with his case。 After many letters go unanswered， two different lawyers agree to help him with different parts of his case。 His reputation as a jail house lawyer helps build his confidence。 Once released， he attends college， and then law school， winning prestigious clerk ships and awards along the way。 This book made me feel so many different emotions。 I found myself slamming my hand down on the table in frustration as I read about the inept advice and lack of advocacy from his original lawyer， sadness at the 10 years he lost， and joy and relief when he was eventually released after all charges were dropped。 The story of Jarrett Adams is incredibly inspiring。 I highly recommend this book。Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Tara Jackson
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The author was immediately likable from the start。 Which made me care about him and his story deeply， and enraged me to see how his case was so mishandled right from the beginning。 His so-called attorney should hang his head in shame for the rest of his days and should never， ever practice law again。 The system is so broken and biased and there is no real end in sight。His story of tenacity， grit， bravery and perseverance is one I won’t soon forget。 It needs to be required reading in law courses The author was immediately likable from the start。 Which made me care about him and his story deeply， and enraged me to see how his case was so mishandled right from the beginning。 His so-called attorney should hang his head in shame for the rest of his days and should never， ever practice law again。 The system is so broken and biased and there is no real end in sight。His story of tenacity， grit， bravery and perseverance is one I won’t soon forget。 It needs to be required reading in law courses at every level， and should probably be part of general education curricula at the high school level and beyond。 。。。more
Emily | emilybythebookvine
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Wow。 This book was OUTSTANDING！ 🙌 ⠀Sadly the publishing date isn’t until Sept 2021 （thank you @netgalley for sharing this ARC with me）。 I’m absolutely buying a physical copy when I can， so make sure to get your hands on this important read！ I finished it in basically one sitting & highlighted so much on my kindle。 ⠀⠀Jarrett Adams is wrongly committed of a crime at 17 years old by an intentionally chosen all-white court room & is left to serve years and years of time for something he didn’t do。 W Wow。 This book was OUTSTANDING！ 🙌 ⠀Sadly the publishing date isn’t until Sept 2021 （thank you @netgalley for sharing this ARC with me）。 I’m absolutely buying a physical copy when I can， so make sure to get your hands on this important read！ I finished it in basically one sitting & highlighted so much on my kindle。 ⠀⠀Jarrett Adams is wrongly committed of a crime at 17 years old by an intentionally chosen all-white court room & is left to serve years and years of time for something he didn’t do。 While incarcerated， he chooses to focus on his faith， while learning how to survive in prison & educating himself on the “ins and outs” of the legal system。 Most of all， he learns how to be his own representation （something he shouldn’t have had to do） & for others。 ⠀⠀👉🏻 If you liked Just Mercy， you’ll love this。 It’s a beautifully written inside perspective as he experienced the wronging of the system first hand & was left waiting the lengthy time in prison （sometimes in segregation） until someone would hear his case again。 It also clearly depicts how we don’t set up people to succeed once released from prison as we expect them to just venture back into “normalcy”。 ⠀⠀Adams is poised throughout his years wrongfully spent in prison and displays resilience to the max while fighting a system that tells him he is a “disposable black boy”， as his mom would say。⠀Whether it be because of insufficient representation， unjust sentencing， or just flat out racism。。。 our system is broken。 People like Adams are paving the way to what should already be。 ⠀READ THIS！ ✨ 。。。more
Celene Seals
，
Absolutely amazing！！ Five stars doesn't even seem adequate。 Page one gave me chills and I was hooked！ I devoured this book and read it nearly in one sitting。 I just could not get enough。 To say I didn't love books along this nature would be a lie。 They generally move me， cause despair， outrage and heartbreak。 I will have all the emotions。 This book was no different。 In fact， I'd go as far as to say this book and this man's story was the best and my favorite。 I will continue to talk about this ma Absolutely amazing！！ Five stars doesn't even seem adequate。 Page one gave me chills and I was hooked！ I devoured this book and read it nearly in one sitting。 I just could not get enough。 To say I didn't love books along this nature would be a lie。 They generally move me， cause despair， outrage and heartbreak。 I will have all the emotions。 This book was no different。 In fact， I'd go as far as to say this book and this man's story was the best and my favorite。 I will continue to talk about this man's story for weeks and years to come！ The author's perspective is what makes this book stand apart for me。 It was so well written and engaging。 He shows an indepth perspective on the inequalities in our justice system from a very interesting vantage point， as a defendant and a defender。 His story is powerful and I am so thrilled I was able to learn about his moving story fighting for his life and for the oppressed。 It was an unbelievablely， shocking story， but it is one every American must read。 I cried so many times， but in the end you are filled with hope for Adams and for the people who cross his path。 Adams is using his experience and his story to help others， and it is so heartwarming to witness。 I am recommending this book to all my family and friends！ If you loved books， like Just Mercy， you will love this book and I encourage you to read it！ ***Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book！ 。。。more
Gerry
，
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Reader ebook in exchange for an objective review。 Jarrett Adams' well-written story is both heartbreaking and inspiring。 Arrested at age 17 for rape， convicted on the basis of lies and an incompetent or disinterested public defender， he spent ten years in prison before his conviction was overturned and he was released。 What followed shows his incredible dedication: he completed a bachelor's degree， went on to law school to earn his J。D。， an Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Reader ebook in exchange for an objective review。 Jarrett Adams' well-written story is both heartbreaking and inspiring。 Arrested at age 17 for rape， convicted on the basis of lies and an incompetent or disinterested public defender， he spent ten years in prison before his conviction was overturned and he was released。 What followed shows his incredible dedication: he completed a bachelor's degree， went on to law school to earn his J。D。， and eventually set up his own legal practice devoted to helping others in situations like his， those who have been wrongly jailed。 His story also reveals the deeply broken American justice system， where those who can afford quality legal counsel often get away with their crimes， while the poor and disenfranchised serve long sentences for minor offenses or no offense at all。 #JusticeforSale 。。。more
Dina
，
I was provided with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review。 This is honestly one of the best memoirs I have ever read。 It is well written with raw emotion and honesty。 I found it pleasantly lacking the "typical" style of a memoir as it feels more like it was written by a writer。 Jarrett Adams shares his story in a way that takes you on the journey with him heartbreaks and highs alike。 I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a glimpse into what it is like to grow u I was provided with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review。 This is honestly one of the best memoirs I have ever read。 It is well written with raw emotion and honesty。 I found it pleasantly lacking the "typical" style of a memoir as it feels more like it was written by a writer。 Jarrett Adams shares his story in a way that takes you on the journey with him heartbreaks and highs alike。 I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a glimpse into what it is like to grow up black in America。 Thank you #jarrettadams for sharing your life with us。#JusticeforSale #NetGalley 。。。more
Sabrina
，
In the book Redeeming Justice， Jarret Adams retells his unbelievable story of his life from defendant to defender。 This normally wouldn’t be the type of book I pick up to read， however once I read the book blub; I felt this was a book I needed to read。 I personally have a background in the legal field and this book made me shiver with the way this case was consistently overlooked， brushed over and handled in all of the wrong ways。 Adams is a 17 year old boy who just graduated from high school。 T In the book Redeeming Justice， Jarret Adams retells his unbelievable story of his life from defendant to defender。 This normally wouldn’t be the type of book I pick up to read， however once I read the book blub; I felt this was a book I needed to read。 I personally have a background in the legal field and this book made me shiver with the way this case was consistently overlooked， brushed over and handled in all of the wrong ways。 Adams is a 17 year old boy who just graduated from high school。 The summer between high school and college he decides to go to a party to with some friends。 A few months later he is charged with rape。 The book then continues to follow Jarret through his court cases and eventual incarceration， based solely on a false accusation。 The book then continues to follow Adams through his fight for release， his life and emotions after prison and his triumphant Law School Graduation。 As much as this book made me angry and broke my heart in made me rejoice and feel pride for this young man。 This ultimately uplifting tale providing hope for the hopeless and power to the powerless。 By reading the ARC I feel I lost some of the best bits， I am sure the actual book will provide photos and visual references that were not available in the ARC。 But if you have an interest in law on any level this is definitely a book you should read！ Adams does an amazing job with putting his story into a written document that will forever life and breathe and serve as the very REAL reminder of how our legal system fails。。 but you do not have to become its failure。Thank you netgalley for the ARC。 。。。more
Shonah Burns
，
4。5At age 17， Jarrett Adams was arrested for a crime he didn't commit。 He was then convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison。 After 10 grueling years in maximum security， he was finally exonerated。 In this harrowing memoir， Adams takes us through his 20+ year journey from being an innocent teenager on his way to college， through his 10 years in prison as a wrongfully convicted felon， to becoming the lawyer he never had。 This book covers right up until early 2020 when Covid first hit， a stark 4。5At age 17， Jarrett Adams was arrested for a crime he didn't commit。 He was then convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison。 After 10 grueling years in maximum security， he was finally exonerated。 In this harrowing memoir， Adams takes us through his 20+ year journey from being an innocent teenager on his way to college， through his 10 years in prison as a wrongfully convicted felon， to becoming the lawyer he never had。 This book covers right up until early 2020 when Covid first hit， a stark reminder that this is current。 This isn't 50 years ago， this isn't history; this is now， this is today。 This story is not just an account of Adams' own life， but the ongoing reality for millions of people。 He details the innumerable atrocities of the justice system， experienced by everyone in it， but especially by those who are Black。 He illustrates what it is like growing up Black in America; to live in fear for your life， to be constantly targeted for the colour of your skin， to be treated by society as though you are dispensable。 We're taken right into the center of Black communities that are suffering from centuries of abuse and neglect。 We see how these communities are struggling in poverty， how families are being torn apart， how youth are being exposed to crime as a means to survive， and exactly how blatantly racist the "justice" system truly is。Redeeming Justice is one of the most chilling yet inspiring books I have ever read。 Jarrett Adams demonstrates an incredible amount of strength， courage， and perseverance。 He gives Black youth someone to aspire to。 His voice has and will change the world。*My one critique is the way sexual assault was portrayed。 Not saying no ≠ consent。 Especially if the “victim” was intoxicated。 I don’t believe this was the case for Jarrett， but I think it should’ve been acknowledged。 。。。more
Akindle
，