"Redeeming Justice" by Jarrett Adams is the true story of how the author managed to secure his freedom after being wrongly convicted of a crime as a teenager and eventually became the lawyer that he wished he had. This book highlights the many issues with our country's criminal justice system, from overworked public defenders who lack the time and resources to appropriately address the cases of each of their clients, to biased juries, to racism in America, and to the near impossibility of a Black man trying to prove his innocence while incarcerated. Adams also shows through his own experience the financial investment in using people, innocent or not, to fill the many prisons that have been built across the country. Adams becomes a self-taught prison attorney, which helps him understand the law and the resources he needed to get released from prison, which ultimately led to his becoming an investigator and then an attorney. Very rarely does a book make me cry, but tears were streaming down my face at the end!

This is an amazing, maddening, horrific, and inspiring, true account of a young man who was unjustly convicted, along with his friends, of a crime that they did not commit. The author, Jarrett Adams, served 10 years in prison before justice prevailed and he was exonerated and released. Apparently justice goes to the highest bidder, only to be purchased by the richest among us who can afford big ticket lawyers. Mr. Adams prevailed, became a lawyer himself, and to this day continues to fight for those unjustly accused or given unjust sentences for the crimes they did commit. This is a book everyone should read. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance for your copy.

Over the last year I have read a few books about social injustice and the persecution of African Americans for minor infractions. I had no idea until I read A Knock at Midnight by Brittany K. Barnett. It was an eye-opening read and raised my awareness of the significant injustices and the need for reform of the criminal justice system.

As a result, I was immediately drawn to Jarrett Adam’s story and I thank Netgallery for an advanced copy. It is a story of hope and resiliency and pure determination. Though his story is one of victory, it struck me that there are so many Jarretts that have been persecuted for minor infractions and may never be freed. It also struck me that it is a story that Jarrett should never have had to write.

He has written it though because this was his lived experience to share with others and to fight for social justice. He became an attorney and is making a positive difference in the lives of so many as a result of what he has endured. This could be a movie as it is a very moving story.

Thanks again Netgallery for the opportunity to read Mr. Adam’s story.

Justice prevails slowly and lives are changed. A fascinating book that will haunt you long after you read the last page. A must read for Innocent Project believers.

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.

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 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.

5 stars
This is a exceedingly difficult book to read. It is so hard to fathom the injustice this man and so many others experienced. It is horrifying and yet uplifting the way he has turned this into a way to help others

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.

Extra note to the publishers which will be removed from my Goodreads review: someone has likely already picked up these issues but:
1) about 1/3 of the way through the book when he is starting to learn about the law, Adams refers to voir dire and says it means to speak the truth. It doesn't. Voir dire means to see to say. Vrai dire would mean to speak the truth. As someone who knows nothing about the legal world I don't know which is meant.
2) the foreword at the end is an afterword!

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.

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

REDEEMING JUSTICE
BY JARRETT ADAMS
Convergent Books.
#JusticeforSale,#NetGalley, #Racism,#JarrettAdams,#ConvergentBooks
“ When you are a young black man, you don’t give police a reason.” So was the advice of Jarrett Adams mother.
In the USA, police see young black men as criminals, instead of young men of promise.
Jarrett was born and raised in the South Side of Chicago by strong prideful women, his single mother, grandmother, and aunts, he was taught to be truthful and fair.
Like all teenagers, Jarrett also liked to party. So in 1998, when he was just 19 years old, with 2 of his friends, he went to a Freshmen Orientation Party at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater campus, which is a 5-hour drive. They met a young woman and had a consensual encounter with her. That night would change the course of his life. All 3 of them were arrested and charged with sexual assault of a white student. Though this was consensual sex, they were prosecuted.
In Wisconsin, 17-year-olds are tried as adults. One of his friends was able to afford an attorney, Jarrett and his co-accused were assigned, public defenders.
Trial, mistrial and a retrial. During Adams’ retrial, the public defender called for a non-defense theory, which would not allow for any witness statements. This move backfired.
Jarrett and his co-accused were convicted of rape in 2000 and sentenced to 20years. The judge found that I wasn't being remorseful and she gave me an additional eight years in prison."
Inside the prison, Adams met a cellmate who worked for the prison law library and encouraged him to try to get his conviction overturned. Prove your innocence and not give up.
So Adams started reading law books in the prison library. Adams put all his energy into trying to prove his innocence. Through his reading, he discovered that his public defender had failed to locate and call a known witness was a violation of his rights. "Everyone has a constitutional right to an effective attorney. And so, his constitutional right was violated by not having an effective attorney. He found a Supreme Court case that stated that the Constitution required defendants to be provided effective assistance of counsel. He got in touch with attorney Keith Findley with the Wisconsin Innocence Project, a state chapter of the nonprofit devoted to justice for wrongfully convicted people.
In 2006, eight years after Adam’s arrest, the Innocence Project argued his case to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. The court unanimously overturned Adams' conviction, on the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Adams’ conviction was overturned and all charges against him were dropped in 2007.
Since his release, he graduated and obtained his Law degree from Loyola University School of Law and passed the New York Bar exam.
Now as an attorney, Adams is working to bring justice to others.
I highly recommend this book as a good read. A story of resilience.
Thanks to NetGalley, Convergent Books, and Jarrett Adams for the chance to read the ARC.

Thank you for the ARC.
4.5/5 rounded up.

Jarret Adams story of being wrongfully convicted (at such a young age I might add), is one full of heart-wrench, as well as determination. It is inspiring to see someone rise from such injustice, only to serve others as well, with his hard earned legal counsel. A first hand account of how much our system can fail, and a reminder that we need to do better in this reality, and hold the system accountable so that true justice is served.

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

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.

Wow. This book was OUTSTANDING! Sadly the publishing date isn’t until Sept 2021. 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 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!

This book is nothing short of amazing.
I found myself liking the author right away. And then as his story progressed, I felt myself feeling so outraged by all he had to endure, knowing the biased and broken justice system was at the crux of it all. The absolute malpractice of his attorney was criminal and he should not have a license to practice law.
Jarrett’s account of his story is so well-written and well-told, it’s bound to be a best-seller. And I hope it becomes part of law coursework at every level at the very least, and possibly school curricula as a whole, particularly in today’s climate of social justice.

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!

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 follows 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 proves hope for the hopeless and power to the powerless.
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.

This is an incredible book. I stayed up all night reading it, because I just couldn’t put it down. Jarrett Adams is one of the most determined and tenacious people that I have ever heard about. This book really made me see the inequity of the United State justice system. I can’t imagine surviving the situation that he was in, but he did. And after doing so, he got an education and eventually became an attorney fighting for others who are currently in the same situation. His book is educational and inspiring, and I admire his courage in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Definitely a great read! I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.