White Collar Advice Blog
Rule 35 Motion: What It Means and How to Build the Record That Supports One
A Rule 35 motion is the government’s tool, not yours. The government files it. The judge rules on it. You cannot force
What Do Federal Judges Look For At Sentencing?
What do federal judges look for at sentencing is one of the most important questions a defendant can ask. Most never ask
First Week Federal Prison Camp: Lompoc
Matt Bowyer documented his first week at a federal prison camp in Controlled Chaos. He surrendered to Lompoc on October 10th, 2025.
Federal Halfway House Rules Nobody Tells You Before You Get There
He called me from the halfway house furious. Not frustrated. Furious. His job application got denied. He was on lockdown longer than
What a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena Means and What Happens Next
A federal grand jury subpoena is a big deal (profound, I know). It means the government is already building a case. By
Preparing for Prison. Most Defendants Get It Wrong.
Most defendants spend the weeks before reporting to federal prison researching programs. Which courses are available. When they start. How many credits
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 government’s 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 Santos’s 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 we’ve 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.