White Collar Advice Blog

Lessons From a Prison Quiet Room at 5 A.M.
It was 2008. I was in a federal prison quiet room with Michael Santos. Heโd been there since 1:30 a.m. Iโd join

Why Judges Ignore Your Sentencing Narrative If Your Attitude Is Wrong
From the Desk of Justin Paperny Iโve read personal narratives that could move anyone to tears. Iโve seen ten, fifteen character letters

How to Respond When You’re Facing Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud Charges
When I was under investigation for wire fraud, I did exactly what most people do at firstโI panicked, isolated myself, and waited

How a Strong Sentencing Plan Can Reduce Your Federal Prison Time
When people come to me for help after getting charged in a federal case, one of the first things I hear is:โI

Why Rock Bottom Didnโt Happen in Prisonโand How I Learned to Prepare After Sentencing
I remember standing in that courtroom when the judge said the number out loud. Even though I saw it coming, it hit

Building a Strong Mitigation Strategy: What Your Defense Should Stand For in Court
Iโve worked with clients at every stage of the federal criminal justice systemโindictment, sentencing, prison, and post-release. One thing I can tell
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 governmentโs 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 Santosโs 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 weโve 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.