This legal book thriller chronicles the 55-year career of Stephen Camden, a legendary defense attorney who navigated the dark intersection of California’s justice system.
From representing high-profile murderers and notorious figures like Charles Manson, to navigating his own public brush with the law, it is the story of a man who spent a lifetime defending the indefensible.
Available Fall 2026
The Book
Stephen Camden, was somewhat of an iconic figure in the Vallejo Public Defender’s office. His career as a defense attorney involved handling complex criminal cases. Camden's 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. Camden was known to have met with, and in some instances provided legal representation for, several notorious high-profile inmates, including Charles Manson and Ed Kemper.
However, Camden's failure to conform earned him a host of problems, including a solicitation of murder charge which ultimately cost him his position at the Public Defender’s office. Camden fought hard to overcome the professional wreckage and personal challenges of those turbulent early years. He 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 California's most notorious criminal history and helped define the modern role of the public defender. At 84 years of age, Camden remains one of the oldest practicing attorneys in Solano County, and this is his story.
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
Coming Soon