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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Federal Indictment Process: How to Tell Your Story
The federal indictment process does not wait for you to get ready. From the day you learn you are a target, the […]
What Is a Minimum Security Prison? A Former Federal Prisoner Explains What Actually Happens There
Eighteen years ago tomorrow I learned a minimum security prison is the lowest custody level in the federal Bureau of Prisons system. […]
What Happens at a Federal Sentencing Hearing: A Step-by-Step Guide
A federal sentencing hearing is the proceeding where a judge decides how long you will spend in federal prison (if at all), […]
Why I Went To Federal Prison: 18 Years Later
Three people this week told me they want to become motivational speakers. They asked me to help them get booked at places […]
What Do Prison Consultants Do? And Why You Probably Don’t Need One
A journalist called me recently. He is writing a piece about sentencing mitigation and wanted to understand what I do. He found […]