Why Do So Many Defendants Treat Their Lawyer Like a Nanny—And Stay Quiet Even When It Hurts Them?
(Click the Play button above to listen to the whole podcast) About a year ago, Michael Santos and I had a tough […]
What Does the Prosecutor’s Playbook Actually Look Like Behind the Scenes?
Not long ago, I raised my voice at someone who had been on many of our webinars. He’s smart, funny, likable, and […]
The Ten Assets We Keep Talking About
I’ve said it in our newsletters—if you don’t build assets, the government will. They’ll define you with a DOJ press release, and […]
What Hidden Excuses Creep Into Letters, Even When You Think You’re Accepting Responsibility?
(Click the Play button above to listen to the whole podcast) Creating an asset with the wrong message can backfire. I’ve lost […]
Why Will a Federal Judge Be More Inclined to Listen If They See Their Own Values in You?
(Click the Play button to listen to the whole podcast) Data suggests people are more likely to help you if they recognize […]
What Do Judges Mean When They Say, “Show Me How You’re Fixing It, Not That You’re Sorry”?
(Click the Play button above to listen to the whole podcast) The past is fixed. Nothing you say can change it. But […]
Why Does Silence Give the DOJ Control Over Your Name, Your Family, and Your Reputation?
The FBI Showed Up. I Lied to My Lawyers. Then I Waited. (Click the Play button above to listen to the full […]
Build Proof Before Sentencing: Profiles, U-Curve, and What Judges Will Use
Start a dated public profile today and feed it proof every week—work, service, restitution, recovery, and a release plan. Then push that […]
Document or Be Defined: Build a Record the Court Can Trust
Judges and probation officers decide from what’s on paper. If your PSR, memo, and exhibits are thin—or late—you’ll be judged on a […]
How to Write a Federal Sentencing Narrative and Release Plan That Judges Respect
If you are in a federal case, the government already controls the story. Your only chance to influence probation, prosecutors, and the […]
5 Common Mistakes Defendants Make in Federal Investigations
The Most Common Mistakes Defendants Make in a Federal Investigation When federal agents show up, every choice you make matters. Most defendants […]
Hardest Part of Getting Out of Prison: Why Reentry Is Harder Than You Think
What’s the Hardest Part of Getting Out of Prison? It’s not the bars. It’s doing the work every day without knowing when—or […]