Why Judges Don’t Trust Words—And What Actually Works at Sentencing
When most people think about federal sentencing, they imagine long letters from lawyers, emotional pleas from family, and a personal statement delivered […]
Stop Wasting Time on Healthcare Fraud Regret—Start Building
I’ve read a lot of sentencing stories over the years, but when I came across the one about Dehshid “David” Nourian—a pharmacist […]
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 […]
How the PSR Affects Your Life After Prison
The PSR Doesn’t End With Your Sentence After release, probation officers will use the PSR to determine: Preparing for a Successful Reentry […]
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 […]
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: […]