A physician on the East Coast recently reached out to me. He had pled guilty to tax charges and was preparing for sentencing. Like many defendants, he was overwhelmed—but unlike many, he didn’t outsource all the responsibility to his lawyer. He thought for himself. He did the research. He exercised his own judgment.

And it might just save his medical license.

Let’s break down what he did right—and why so many others get this part of the process completely wrong.

Your Probation Interview Isn’t “Just Biographical”

When this doctor spoke to his lawyer, he was told something I’ve heard too many times:

“It’s just a short biographical interview. Nothing to prepare for.”

That’s dangerous advice.

The pre-sentence interview with the probation officer isn’t some box to check. It’s not a casual chat. It’s one of the most influential moments in your entire case.

That report the probation officer writes? It lands on the judge’s desk. It sets the tone for sentencing. It outlines your history, your offense, your level of remorse—and yes, your credibility.

In some cases, it can shape your outcome more than anything your lawyer says in court.

Real Advice from Real Authorities—Not Just “My Opinion”

This isn’t just my personal opinion. I’m not asking you to take my word for it.

Chris Maloney, the former Chief of U.S. Probation, spoke at a recent White Collar Advice webinar. He said it clearly:

“The more documentation and evidence a defendant brings to the probation interview, the more credible and prepared they look. That preparation earns respect in a room full of skeptics.”

We’ve heard the same thing directly from federal judges we’ve interviewed over the years.

They don’t want your lawyer to carry all the weight. They want to see you do the work. Your personal responsibility. Your evidence. Your narrative—backed by action.

If your only strategy is to trust your lawyer’s version of events and show up unprepared, don’t be surprised if the judge sees you as passive, disengaged, or worse—still in denial.

Why This Doctor Might Keep His License

Let’s go back to that physician.

He accepted responsibility early. He paid back the money. And instead of relying on vague advice, he took initiative.

He read. He watched videos. He asked questions. And when he noticed a gap between what his lawyer was saying and what we were teaching, he trusted his instincts enough to dig deeper.

He’s now preparing a detailed personal narrative.

He’s documenting his efforts—letters, receipts, emails, character references.

He’s building a timeline that shows who he was, what happened, and—most importantly—who he’s becoming.

That level of preparation doesn’t just influence the sentencing judge. It makes a difference with the licensing board, the probation officer, and everyone else involved in determining what his future looks like.

The Common Excuse That Costs People Time

I’ve heard too many people say:

“Well, my lawyer told me not to worry about that part.”

Let me be blunt: if your strategy is to shrug and say, “I was just following my lawyer’s lead,” you’re giving away your only chance to influence the system.

You’ll be judged not just by your crime, but by your response to it.

No one can tell your story better than you. Not your lawyer. Not your spouse. Not your pastor.

And if you don’t own that role, someone else—often a skeptical probation officer—is going to define your narrative for you.

What You Should Be Doing Right Now

If you’ve pled guilty or are about to, here’s what you should be doing:

• Write a personal narrative that explains your mindset, your decisions, and what’s changed.
  
• Start gathering documents that show your efforts—repayment, letters of apology, community service, therapy, anything.
  
• Don’t wait until the night before your pre-sentence interview.
  
• Don’t assume your lawyer’s advice is all you need.
  
• Do what this doctor did: think for yourself, and start working.
  

That’s how you build trust in a system that’s already skeptical of you.

Final Thought

I admire this doctor because he didn’t wait to be rescued. He didn’t rely on a polished legal strategy to do the human work for him. He rolled up his sleeves and got to it. That mindset matters—because the system is watching.

Justin Paperny

P. S. If this resonates, join our team this Monday at 1 p.m. Pacific, 4 p.m. Eastern. We host a free webinar to answer questions, share lessons from real cases, and help you avoid the most costly mistakes people make during a government investigation. Bring questions. Come ready to learn.