Federal Judge Gets Angry Over Defendant’s Character Reference Letters

In our experience at White Collar Advice, judges value authenticity. Federal Judges appreciate defendants who are willing to invest the time to show why they are worthy of leniency.
Judges do not value defendants who are lazy, who outsource all the work and who do not appreciate the severity of the situation.
In this video I share a very sad story about a defendant who was lambasted by his federal judge at his sentencing hearing.
As it was told to me, the judge received templated boiler plate character reference letters. The defendant was told he was not able to review the letters and they were clearly submitted without the lawyer reviewing them.
If the goal is the shortest federal prison sentence, it is essential you invest the time to prepare. That includes creating character reference letters that are authentic and speak to your character.
Best,
Justin Paperny

[@snowygirl131]

I feel such empathy for this defendant and am horrified that any attorney would behave this way. Great point re: how hard a federal judge must work to get to that position.

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

We can all learn from these stories. Keep working hard!!

[@katrinastrub1255]

And NO personal narrative? Not NECESSARY?! OMG... I know for a FACT that Judges can be swayed by a sincere personal narrative!

[@paulagaff]

You said the word letter at least 20 times in this super short video 😂

[@tod3msn]

Yes, the lawyer should read every letter because they are getting paid to do so. The judge sounds pompous but this should not be news to an attorney. There is no question the lawyer should read the letter.

[@jaykay9034]

Yadda Yadda Yadda

[@WhiteCollarAdviceOfficial]

Lol!

[@jaykay9034]

Your intro is too long. It put us to sleep.