Book Available November 10th
This gripping legal thriller chronicles the 55-year career of a legendary defense attorney, Stephen Camden, as he navigates some of the darkest intersections of California’s justice system. From representing high-profile murderers and notorious inmates, like Charles Manson, to surviving his own public brush with the law. Itt is the story of a man who spent a lifetime defending the indefensible.
The Book
Stephen Camden was a well-known, iconic figure in the Public Defender's office in Vallejo during his time there. He built a career as a defense attorney known for managing particularly challenging and multifaceted criminal trials. His work at the Solano County Public Defender’s Office in the late 1960s and early 1970s placed him at the center of many high-profile legal matters due to the county's housing of infamous inmates at the California Medical Facility (CMF) in Vacaville. He was known to have met with and in some instances provided legal representation for several notorious high-profile inmates, including Charles Manson and Edmund Kemper.
However, Camden’s failure to conform earned him a host of problems in the late 1980s, including a solicitation of murder charge which ultimately cost him his position as the head Public Defender of Vallejo. He fought hard to overcome the professional wreckage and personal challenges of those turbulent early years. Camden eventually opened his own private practice and reinvented himself, showing a willingness to change plans and pivot when life doesn't go as expected. His story is not just one of longevity, but of a career that intersected with some of the darkest corners of California’s legal history, helping to define the modern role of a public defender.
Meet The Author
Candice Camden is a Broker, Property Manager, and Owner of Camden Realty & Property Management. She is the daughter of Stephen Camden and livesin Vallejo, California.
Reviews
A must read for any Solano County resident, historian or legal buff. Camden Files offers an exclusive perspective on the judicial system and Stephen Camden's decades-long career as a criminal defense attorney. Written as a first hand account of her father's life, Candice Camden delivers a raw and uncut page turner with sincere honesty, humility and vulnerability. A rollercoaster that will have you on the edge of your seat, Camden's wild ride is an unforgettable story of success, heartache and redemption.
Galen Kusic, Editor of the Benicia Herald
This book provides a unique insight into a colorful and brilliant criminal defense lawyer’s family life and adventures. It shows a side of a defense attorney rarely seen, as well as the impact on his family. Steve is truly one of a kind, and this book provides insight on him.
Dan Russo, One of the Top Rated Defense Attorneys in Vallejo, CA.