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 […]
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 […]
10 Assets That Can Influence Sentencing, Prison, and Life Afterward
Most people don’t prepare for sentencing the right way. They scramble. They copy what someone else did. They write what their lawyer […]
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 […]