White Collar Advice Blog

Why Judges Don’t Trust Words—And What Actually Works at Sentencing
When most people think about federal sentencing, they imagine long letters from lawyers, emotional pleas from family, and a personal statement delivered

Stop Wasting Time on Healthcare Fraud Regret—Start Building
I’ve read a lot of sentencing stories over the years, but when I came across the one about Dehshid “David” Nourian—a pharmacist

Why Hope Fails in Court—and What Actually Works at Sentencing
A second chance. That’s what everyone wants when they’re standing in federal court. But wanting something in a courtroom doesn’t mean you’ve

What I Wish I Knew Before Facing Tax Fraud Charges
Getting Real About Tax Fraud Charges I’ve talked to thousands of people who were stunned when they first heard the words “tax

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

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