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 […]
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 first—I 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:“I […]
Why Rock Bottom Didn’t Happen in Prison—and 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
I’ve worked with clients at every stage of the federal criminal justice system—indictment, sentencing, prison, and post-release. One thing I can tell […]
Preparing Before Sentencing: Don’t Let the Judge Guess Who You Are
When I pled guilty to securities fraud, I wasn’t thinking about sentencing guidelines or mitigation strategies. I was thinking about how I […]
You Only Get One Shot with the Judge—Here’s How Not to Blow It
Let me tell you about a recent moment that stuck with me—because it cuts to the heart of why so many people […]
#1 Sign You Hired The Wrong Criminal Defense Attorney
Last week, I sat down with a family who drove across Florida—from Miami to Tampa—to meet with me. Their son is getting […]
What Federal Judges Actually Look for at Sentencing (Hint: Not Your Resume)
A few weeks after I got out of federal prison, I started showing up at sentencing hearings in downtown Los Angeles—not because […]
How Glenn Fought for His Freedom—One Round at a Time in Federal Prison
I want to introduce you to someone who actually did the work. Not talked about it. Not promised his family he would. […]
Why Denying Guilt in a Federal Case Can Lead to a Harsher Sentence
Yesterday I had a tough call with a defendant. But if he was paying attention, he’s better off for it. He kept […]