White Collar Advice · Blog
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One new post every day. Federal Sentencing, Prison Preparation, Supervised Release, and Life After. Read what applies to where you are right now. Then build something. Questions? Call or text us at 949-799-3277.
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Showing 13–24 of 770 articles
My Lawyer Wants Me to Sign a Plea Agreement. Is There Anything Else I Can Do?
The lawyer explained the terms of your plea agreement and sentencing as you sat there and nodded. Then you drove home and […]
Justin Paperny
Jun 8, 2026
The DOJ Just Put Out a Press Release With My Name on It. What Do I Do?
Your phone has not stopped. Colleagues, clients. Someone from your industry group. A reporter left a voicemail. Your kids’ school called. The […]
Justin Paperny
Jun 6, 2026
I Got a Target Letter From the FBI. Does That Mean I’m Going to Prison?
In my work, I get a lot of these messages, “I got a target letter from the FBI. Now what?” Here is […]
Justin Paperny
Jun 4, 2026
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 […]
Justin Paperny
Jun 2, 2026
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 […]
Justin Paperny
Jun 1, 2026
What Is a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report in Federal Court: Chief Probation Officer Answers
The pre-sentence investigation report is the most important document most federal defendants never prepare for. It is read by your sentencing judge, […]
Justin Paperny
May 29, 2026
What a Federal Judge Says About Remorse at Sentencing
Judge Stephen Bough of the Western District of Missouri puts a number on how much weight an attorney’s statement of a client’s […]
Justin Paperny
May 29, 2026
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. […]
Justin Paperny
May 24, 2026
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 […]
Justin Paperny
May 22, 2026
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 […]
Justin Paperny
May 16, 2026
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 […]
Justin Paperny
May 5, 2026
What Judges Do With Your Federal Sentencing Mitigation Letter
Your federal sentencing mitigation letter is required reading for the judge. That is not the question. The question is what he does […]
Justin Paperny
May 4, 2026
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