Should You Cooperate? Making the Toughest Decision in Your Case
Cooperation sounds straightforward. Help the government, get a lighter federal prison sentence. That’s the message many defendants hear early in their case. […]
How the PSR Affects Your Entire Sentence
The PSR Determines More Than Just Your Sentence Length Many people assume the PSR is only for sentencing. In reality, it affects: […]
The Emotional Toll of Cooperation—What It Costs You Beyond the Courtroom
If you’ve read the earlier blogs in this series, you know that cooperation in a white-collar case can reduce your sentence—sometimes significantly. […]
The PSR Mistakes That Can Cost You Years
Why the Pre-Sentence Report is More Than a Formality A single document can determine how long you serve, where you serve, and […]
When Cooperation Backfires—A Cautionary Tale from My Own Case
I’ve written a lot about the potential benefits of cooperation—how a well-prepared defendant can earn a 5K1.1 motion, reduce their sentence, and […]
How David Moulder Avoided Federal Prison—Lessons from His Sentencing
David quickly realized that what most defendants do—what his lawyers were advising him to do—wasn’t enough. Most prisoners:❌ Trust their lawyer to […]
The Pre-Sentence Report: The Document That Follows You
Why the Pre-Sentence Report Matters If you’re facing a federal sentencing, the pre-sentence report (PSR) is one of the most important documents […]
5K1.1 and Rule 35(b)—What Cooperation Actually Buys You at Sentencing
If you’ve been told that cooperation will “definitely” reduce your prison sentence, I encourage you to read this carefully to learn more […]
Proffers, Reverse Proffers, and Cooperation: What You Need to Know
If you’re facing a federal investigation, your lawyer may have already used the term “proffer” or “reverse proffer.” You may have nodded […]
Cooperation and Co-Defendants—When One Choice Changes Everything
When someone chooses to cooperate with the government in a white-collar case, it doesn’t just affect their own case—it impacts every relationship […]
WHAT IF I’VE ALREADY HAD MY PROFFER AND DIDN’T PREPARE? HOW TO RECOVER BEFORE SENTENCING
Introduction You’ve already had your proffer session. You weren’t fully prepared. You might have undersold your role, gotten defensive, offered vague answers, […]
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PROFFER OR REVERSE PROFFER SESSION (WITHOUT HURTING YOUR CASE)
Whether you’ve been invited to a proffer or a reverse proffer, you’re entering an important conversation with the federal government. These meetings […]