White Collar Advice Blog

Coming Home From Federal Prison: Why Preparation Matters Most
I know going to prison is not easy. But here is the truth nobody wants to hear: coming home from federal prison

Mona’s Eyes: 4 Lessons for a Government Investigation
Every week, my daughter Alyssa and I go to Barnes & Noble in Irvine. We usually eat dinner at Wood Ranch first,

Federal Prison Sentence Calculator: How to Estimate Your Actual Release Date
If you or someone you love is facing federal prison time, the sentence the judge hands down is rarely the time actually

Federal Prison Early Release Starts Before Sentencing
Hardly a week passes without someone getting sentenced to prisonβusually to more time than they expected. They walk out of the courthouse,

Supreme Court Transforms Restitution In White Collar Cases
When I surrendered to federal prison in April 2008, restitution wasn’t my focus. I was a former Bear Stearns and UBS broker

Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp: RDAP, Daily Life, What to Expect
This page is for people who are preparing to self-surrender at Lewisburg Federal Prison Camp. It is not about the Lewisburg penitentiary
The White Collar Advice blog helps people under investigation or facing federal sentencing understand the system, avoid mistakes that lead to longer sentences or tougher prison placements, and prepare for prison and reentry.
People under federal investigation, facing sentencing, or preparing for prison who want to build a documented record that shows they are different from the governmentβs one-sided version of events. Family members who want to understand the process and help a loved one prepare should read it too.
Yes. The blog is based on the combined experience of our team at White Collar Advice, including my time in the system, Michael Santosβs 26 years in federal prison, and the work we’ve done with thousands of people going through investigations, sentencing, and reentry. Everything comes from what weβve seen and documented over many years.
These blogs teach you how to create assets that do not currently exist to influence cynical stakeholders, like a Federal Judge or Probation Officer.