The First Draft of Your Own Story

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When i first started talking to mahia and sitting in on his consultations about a year ago, there was rarely a meeting he wouldn't slip in some version of the story of his crime. One of the first things paperne advises a client like mahia to do is stop doing that, especially before sentencing. Own it, because the vamping will almost certainly annoy any judge or civil servant who hears it - and you'll wind up with a much longer sentence.

People heading to court often turn to the internet for guidance. In so doing, many come across the work of Justin Paperny, who dispenses advice on his YouTube channel. His videos offer preparation advice and help manage expectations, while providing defendants information to be able to hold their current lawyers accountable, and to try to negotiate a lighter sentence.

Mr. Paperny, a former financial criminal, also leads White Collar Advice with his partner Michael Santos, another former convict. The firm is made up of 12 convicted felons who each have their own consulting specialty based on where they served time and their own sentencing experiences.

The journalist Jack Hitt relates the story of the two men and the details of their firm, which “fills a need in 21st-century America.” It is, Mr. Hitt writes, “a natural market outgrowth of a continuing and profound shift in America’s judicial system.”

This story was written by Jack Hitt recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.