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    Criminal That I Am: A Memoir
    Criminal That I Am: A Memoir
    Criminal That I Am: A Memoir
    Audiobook9 hours

    Criminal That I Am: A Memoir

    Written by Jennifer Ridha

    Narrated by Amanda Dolan

    3.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Criminal That I Am is a young lawyer's account of crime's unexpected consequences and the criminal justice system as seen through the prism of a particular case: her own. Jennifer Ridha was enlisted to defend Cameron Douglas, the son of film actor Michael Douglas, in a federal drug trafficking case. Beyond his celebrity, Cameron's case was complicated by the fact that he suffered from anxiety. As media scrutiny and the pressures of his case mounted, Cameron's anxiety worsened. When Jennifer's efforts to alleviate his condition through the proper channels fell flat, she agreed to illicitly smuggle in the anti-anxiety medication that the prison refused to dispense. When her transgression was discovered, her criminal case began.

    A compelling trip from professional self-destruction through tabloid scandal to redemption, Criminal That I Am chronicles Ridha's tumultuous journey, beginning with her decision to commit a crime on behalf of a man she loved to the ultimately transformative consequences that came after. This is a compelling, twisted love story that contemplates what we make of crime and punishment . . . and what it makes of us.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateMay 12, 2015
    ISBN9781494580445

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    Reviews for Criminal That I Am

    3.5/5

    10 ratings2 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book which shows how a law-abiding lawyer can be convinced to undertake an illegal act. Jennifer Ridha was part of the defense team for Cameron Douglas, son/grandson of the famous actors, who was charged with drug trafficking. She developed romantic feelings for him, and he convinced her to bring him some prescribed medication that the correctional facility housing him was refusing him. Was that so bad? Well, it was certainly illegal....for a start. Ms. Ridha has written this account with honesty, self-awareness and even a touch of humour at times. She tells about her arrest, and the aftermath on her family relationships and her career. Well worth reading.
    • 4/5
      "How do you know when an addict is lying? His lips are moving," goes the old joke.Former criminal defense attorney Jennifer Ridha failed to heed the warning implicit in the joke. She became infatuated with her client, convicted drug dealer Cameron Douglas (son of actor Michael Douglas) and believed him when he said that if she did just one little (but illegal) thing for him, he would protect her from any negative consequences. Her actions on his behalf set into motion a chain of events that ended in her own public disgrace. In Criminal That I Am Ridha sets the record straight regarding the tabloid press' errors in reporting the story and offers an alternative, face-saving explanation of her own motivations, which I didn't find entirely convincing.Nonetheless, Criminal That I Am is an engagingly written, at times even humorous, read about getting in over one's head and finding the courage to start over. Please note that I received an electronic copy of this book to review from NetGalley, but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.