FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION · PUBLISHED CONTRIBUTOR
Judicial Discretion Begins with the Record Before the Court.
A judge’s authority to individualize a sentence is only useful when the record supports an individualized decision. Joseph De Gregorio’s Federal Bar Association articles examine the preparation that makes that distinction possible.
LATEST PUBLICATION · OCTOBER 27, 2026
The 2026 Fraud Amendments Reward Documentation. Most PSRs Aren’t Built to Contain It.
By Joseph De Gregorio, Founder & President of Sentencing Advocacy Group.
Joseph’s latest Federal Bar Association analysis examines the documentation behind sentencing requests: dated evidence of corrective conduct, verified restitution records and independent support for claims of pressure or vulnerability. Its central preparation lesson is to assemble a checkable factual record early, with defense counsel evaluating its legal significance.
The article builds on Joseph’s earlier Federal Bar Association analysis of judicial discretion and the presentence report, featured below.
JULY 28, 2026
Judicial Sentencing Discretion After Booker: What the Pre-Sentence Report Actually Determines
The article places the presentence report at the center of sentencing preparation: a court needs specific, verifiable information about the person, the offense and the work completed since it occurred. Joseph examines how documented conduct and practical compliance structures can inform that assessment. The case examples illustrate professional experience; they do not establish that preparation work alone caused a particular sentence.
For a defendant retaining Sentencing Advocacy Group, the work begins with turning scattered facts into a coherent, supportable record. Joseph helps organize personal history, identify missing documentation and track completed rehabilitation, then coordinates with counsel so important circumstances can be presented accurately.
Prepare the evidence before the interview.
PSR preparation gives you time to check your chronology, assemble records and distinguish what you have already done from what you intend to do. SAG helps you prepare to communicate clearly and gives your attorney organized material to evaluate before consequential submissions.
Explore Federal PSR Preparation →
Explore Federal Sentence Reduction →
Read SAG’s documented sentencing-preparation methodology →
Build a record the court can evaluate.
Work directly with Joseph De Gregorio on federal sentencing strategy, PSR preparation, pre-surrender planning or post-sentencing support. The case review defines the work, timing and scope of the engagement.
Request a Private Case ReviewCall Joseph directly: (646) 588-8182
SAG provides consulting and preparation services, not legal representation. Legal arguments and filings remain the responsibility of defense counsel. Individual outcomes vary.
Explore the complete publication and media record →