Sentencing Day In Federal Court (The Sequel)

I attended a sentencing hearing in front of Judge David Carter at the United States Court House in Santa Ana, on February 25. The sentencing hearing began at 9am, then was continued to yesterday, March 2nd.
I attended to support our mitigation and federal prison consulting client who was facing a sentence of 51-61 months in federal prison for a white collar crime.
This was an interesting federal sentencing hearing, to say the least!
In this video, I breakdown what happened at each stage of the sentencing hearing, including:
Why the government was seeking a federal prison sentence of 51 months.
What specifically Judge Carter said to both the government and criminal defense attorney, Peter Hardin.
How Judge Carter responded when he learned this case had gone on for more than five years.
How Judge Carter views the family of a white collar defendant (or any defendant).
Tactics the government will deploy during sentencing to try to justify a longer federal prison sentence.
The importance of the personal narrative and statement made at sentencing, including why the narrative and statement must align.
The ultimate sentence and the Judge's reasoning behind the sentence.
And more!
I hope you find value in this new sentencing video.
Thank you,
Justin Paperny
[e-mail] - 818-424-2220
Visit www.whitecolla... to access our federal prison blogs
/ federalprisonadvice
/ justinpaperny
/ whitecollaradvice
Phone : - [phone]

[@tomfinley1674]

Justin, a million thanks for this video. As you mentioned, I appeared before Judge Carter on January 25. Foolishly, I did not engage you and Brad until ONE WEEK - let me say that again - ONE WEEK before my sentencing hearing. In the space of only five days, you and Brad helped me craft a letter (narrative) to Judge Carter and my allocution statement. Both of those carried the day with Judge Carter, who sentenced me to home detention for only ten months, with a possibility of truncating that period. Although I never met you or Brad in person, and not intending to commit blasphemy, I view you as my savior. Through your diligence and expertise, you have given me and my family a wholly new lease on life. I am incapable of adequately expressing the depth and sincerity of my gratitude. Cheers, mate!

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Tom, thank you for taking the time to write this review of our work. I will never forget our work together and some of the laughs we had while doing the work. We really made a great team!! And to be clear, what carried the day was your authenticity and your willingness to do the work. A lot of people talk about doing the work--not all follow through and invest the time. Count on me to stay in touch. Again, our whole team, and especially Brad and me, thank you.

[@jamessasson1585]

So happy for your client!! This play by play analysis is super informative and educational at the same time. Please keep doing them.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Thank you. Definitely more videos like this to come!

[@davidhutchinson5233]

Another great video Justin. Glad your client got a very decent downward departure. That is huge. Coming from one who rec'd 15 months in 2016. I can tell you it's such a relief when you are finally sentenced.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

What's your email? Perhaps down the road I could share my story.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Thank you, David. As you know, it is an emotional experience. Even now, 12 years into my career, my heart pounds right before the sentence comes down. Our client earned this result. It was no accident. Also, have to give major credit (I feel like I am giving an awards speech!), to his excellent defense attorney, Peter Hardin. Always great to hear from you!!

[@davidhutchinson5233]

@@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial I hear you. I remember when I watched the opening of Season 2 of Orange is the New Black.....that scene where Piper is awoken at dark thirty and escorted to who knows where for a trip on Con Air. That just about gave me a full blown anxiety attack. Just remembering that feeling, having it all come back. Stress is such a real thing. And the things that bring it about. I respect you mightily for just attending a federal sentencing. It's not fear per se......I suppose it's just getting used to it. If you ever really are able to. That stress is unique in and of itself to be sure.

[@louisreuter8197]

One of the best videos you have ever done.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

You're kind. Thank you.

[@sanjaynanda7792]

Great video, Justin! And great work with your client. Following as the story unfolds makes this very effective.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Thank you very much. So pleased to know you found value in the video! Stay safe.

[@bullrunner2005]

Amazing outcome for your client. Looking forward to seeing more of these great result videos. Thanks for posting. I'm at the beginning of my situation and five years of waiting for clarity must be brutal.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Thank you! Our team is working hard to produce more favorable outcomes. And yes the waiting is hard or as Judge Carter said at the sentencing it is like "living in a dungeon." The key is finding the will to prepare as the long journey unfolds.

[@ericdavidson3490]

It is clear that a defendant can work to change their outcome. Your live updates share how and why it can happen. Every word in here is a gift any future defendant can learn from.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

This video (like the videos with the federal judges we interviewed) helps a defendant understand what they can do to prepare for the best outcome. I find providing specific statements from the Judge to be helpful as well. Thank you for watching!

[@masukamagambo4236]

Have you had a client facing a very long time in prison? - and how short was the sentence reduced to with your help? Thanks

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

How long is considered long? It is a subjective answer. In prison some guys said three years was long. Others insisted anything shorter than five years was a cup of coffee. I think one day away from our family is too long. Since I do not your definition of a long prison term, I will guess and say 10 years. Yes, our team has had clients looking at long prison terms, including 10 years or more, and get significantly shorter prison terms. The most recent example was a client sentenced in Texas. The government asked for 96 months; he was given 60 months. He also got a recommendation for the drug program, aka, RDAP. He will serve around 27-30 months in prison. He is at the Federal Prison Camp in Florence, CO. Many more examples, of course, but this most recent one comes to mind. Thanks for writing.

[@masukamagambo4236]

@@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial you are right. It’s very subjective. The term long. I should have been more specific but you did answer my question with a good example. Thanks so much for your time.

[@Fioldaliza]

Seems like Judge Carter is an honorable man. That's what I'm talking about. Great information.

[@tpaperny8124]

Excellent work.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Thank you!!

[@edwinaclanton61]

Great Video!

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Thank you.

[@SnowBirdBob76]

How much was the loss in this case? Thank you!

[@BlancaYepezGuzman-sh8hz]

I go to sentencing on November 16 for a conspiracy charge my psi report score is 21 I live in Kansas City but my court is Kansas where will they send me

[@Shadowwand]

It's interesting hearing this positive outlook for a defense in a sentencing hearing, considering how contemptuous Yrump has acted through their whole trial. Hes not repentant. He conti he's to lie about the facts of the case. He thinks he did nothing wrong. He will do more wrong in the future

[@beachbum1523]

Just curious: (Assuming you're able to answer without violating confidences) Will your client be eligible for RDAP? What about halfway house time? Congratulations to your client, the judge, and to you. And shame on the prosecuting attorneys. I was hoping to hear 18 months, just because of the prosecuting attorneys' conduct, which from what you're telling us was just deplorable; but it's easy for someone in my (uninformed) position to play armchair expert.

[@beachbum1523]

Justin, I want you to know what an inspiration you've been in my life. After following you for the past few years, I've been so moved by this story that I've decided that it's time for me to commit a white collar crime so that I can work with you to earn a reduced sentence. Being that I am completely lacking in any knowledge of white collar crimes that would be prosecuted at the federal level, I'm thinking that it would be best for me to retain your services now. Imagine the opportunity this will present to you and to Mike Santos. In addition to the services you currently offer, you can now expand your practice to include helping someone like me choose which white collar crimes I should consider committing, and which ones I should avoid. Hopefully, you have a sliding scale for people like me? Please contact me as soon as possible!

[@Hituvuvuvu]

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