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 […]
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 […]
WHAT IF I’VE ALREADY HAD MY PROFFER AND DIDN’T PREPARE? HOW TO RECOVER BEFORE SENTENCING
Introduction You’ve already had your proffer session. You weren’t fully prepared. You might have undersold your role, gotten defensive, offered vague answers, […]
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PROFFER OR REVERSE PROFFER SESSION (WITHOUT HURTING YOUR CASE)
Whether you’ve been invited to a proffer or a reverse proffer, you’re entering an important conversation with the federal government. These meetings […]
Cooperation in a White Collar Crime—Why It’s Not Always a Straight Line to Leniency
When someone is under investigation for a white-collar crime, one of the first questions they often ask is : Should I cooperate? […]
WHAT IS A REVERSE PROFFER? UNDERSTANDING THIS STRATEGIC TOOL IN FEDERAL CASES
Introduction In our prior proffer articles, we’ve covered: Today, we’re going to explore a lesser-known but equally important legal tool: the reverse […]
TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT FEDERAL PROFFERS
If you are facing a federal investigation or criminal charges, you may be exploring ways to mitigate your exposure and secure the […]
Most Defendants Wait Too Long to Prepare. Then They Regret It.
Most Defendants Wait Too Long to Prepare. Then They Regret It. Most defendants wait to prepare and too many defendants assume their […]
How a 24-Month Federal Prison Sentence Became 3 Years
If you’re going through a federal case, there’s something you need to know: The FBI doesn’t stop investigating just because you’ve been […]
The BEST Part About Going To FEDERAL PRISON
A business student at USC asked me: “What was the best part about going to federal prison?” At first, I thought it […]
The Cost of Doing Nothing in Federal Prison—and How to Avoid It
Boredom in a minimum-security camp isn’t just inconvenient; it can quietly ruin you. It turns short sentences into endless days and leaves […]