The Pre Sentencing Report Is the Bible in Prison

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The story telling officially begins a few weeks after a guilty plea or a conviction by trial. A law forcement officer whose specialty is writing up a pre sentencing report, which will be given to the presiding judge. They call the pre sentencing report the bible in prison because it is one of the first things a case manager or counsellor will rely upon. Many lawyers send their clients into this interview with the standard legal advice to say as little as possible and limit the damage. The person writing that story for you is someone who's already heard every version of the breathy stem winding explanation imaginable.

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.