How Judges Use the PSR to Decide Your Fate
The PSR is the Most Important Document in Sentencing The judge makes a final decision, but the PSR provides the foundation. Judges […]
10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before the PSI Interview
1. Have I created a personal narrative that explains—but doesn’t excuse—my conduct? Judges and probation officers want context only you can provide. […]
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 […]