David quickly realized that what most defendants do—what his lawyers were advising him to do—wasn’t enough.
Most prisoners:
Trust their lawyer to handle everything. Show up to the probation interview unprepared. Assume the judge will “see” they’re a good person. Hope for leniency without providing real proof.
David:
Researched what federal judges actually care about. Built a written case study documenting his full life—not just his conviction. Prepared for his probation interview with a strategic plan. Shared his story with his judge, case manager, and probation officer. Created a verifiable track record of real contributions before sentencing.
David didn’t just consume content—he acted.
“When I called Justin, I told him, ‘I want to fix the window.’ From the very first conversation, it was clear that White Collar Advice wasn’t just about giving tips or general advice—they were about action and accountability. Justin and his team made it clear: no one else could tell my story for me. If I wanted the judge to see who I really was, I had to take ownership, lead the process, and prove that I was more than my worst decisions.”
Why David’s Avoided Federal Prison
Federal sentencing is brutally predictable. Judges almost always follow the guidelines and recommendations set forth by probation officers. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, 75% of federal defendants receive sentences within or above guideline ranges.
Prosecutors rarely highlight anything positive about a defendant. Their goal? Advance their careers, secure convictions, and push for the longest sentence possible.
David knew that if he didn’t take control of his own story, no one else would.
So he built a case for himself, outside of the courtroom, before he even stepped into sentencing.
Volunteering with Prison Professors Charitable Corporation. Helping create a course that now reaches over a million prisoners. Writing a case study that changed the probation officer’s report. Holding his lawyer accountable by pushing for a sentencing memorandum that actually stood out.
At first, his lawyers resisted.
“They knew how the system worked and had never heard of someone trying to mitigate on their own behalf. But as time went on and my lawyers saw what I was doing—writing a narrative, contributing to Prison Professors, receiving letters from university professors—they came around. These materials became central to my case.”
When the government labeled him a kingpin, it hit hard. But instead of sulking, he doubled down.
“That was hard to hear, but it also made me realize that only I could change that narrative. No one else could or would do it for me.”
The Sentencing Outcome: What Happened?
David expected four years in federal prison.
But when sentencing arrived, everything changed.
David stood before Judge Tunheim and delivered his statement.
“When the judge asked me how I was doing, I said, ‘nervous,’ but I was ready. After I spoke, Judge Tunheim said, ‘I’m going to do something unusual.’ I knew before he sentenced me that the work I put in had paid off.”
Instead of 48-60 months in federal prison, his final sentence was:
One year of probation 21 days in county jail instead of federal prison
The Hard Truth: Why He Avoided Federal Prison
David didn’t just watch videos and think, “That makes sense.” He put in the work and built evidence that no judge could ignore.
“You cannot fake mitigation. Actions speak louder than words. I agree with Michael when he says, ‘Be the CEO of your own life.’ I knew I couldn’t rely on boilerplate letters or empty promises. The judge needed to hear from and see the record I had built.”
His work wasn’t just talk. He followed through.
“One of the most meaningful parts of the journey was volunteering with Prison Professors. It gave me a sense of purpose when I needed it most. I’m proud that the course I helped create is now reaching and influencing so many people in prison.”
When you take consistent action, judges see it. Probation officers see it. Prosecutors see it.
And in David’s case, it changed the outcome of his life.
What You Should Be Doing Right Now
If you’re facing sentencing, this is your roadmap:
Document your journey. The government only focuses on your crime—you need to show the full picture.
Prepare for the probation interview. Don’t wing it—go in with a plan and follow up with additional documentation.
Build a release plan. Judges want to see what you’ll do after sentencing, not just an apology.
Share your work. Your case manager, probation officer, and judge should all see your efforts.
Hold your lawyer accountable. If you’re not involved in your sentencing memo, you’re missing an opportunity.
Be Like David. Take Action Now.
“Looking back, hiring White Collar Advice was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. They didn’t sugarcoat anything. They provided the roadmap and tools I needed to succeed. If you’re facing sentencing, don’t wait. Do the work. The government is building its case to send you to prison. You have to show how you’re different.”
David didn’t just hope for a better outcome—he created one. You can too, but only if you start now.
Join our free webinar every Monday at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET to learn exactly what works.
Most prisoners regret what they didn’t do before sentencing. Don’t be one of them.
Justin Paperny
